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The Men Who Killed the News by Eric Beecher
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The Men Who Killed the News

The inside story of how media moguls abused their power, manipulated the truth and distorted democracy

$29.39

Get for $14.99 with membership
Narrator Eric Beecher

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Length 13 hours 26 minutes
Language English
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Crikey owner and ex-News Corp and Fairfax editor lifts the lid on the abuse of power by media moguls – from William Randolph Hearst to Elon Musk and on his own unique experience of working for (and being sued by) the Murdochs.  

What’s gone wrong with our media? The answer: its owners. From William Randolph Hearst to Elon Musk, from the British press barons to colonial upstarts Conrad Black and Rupert Murdoch, media proprietors have manipulated the news to accumulate wealth and influence as they meddled with democracy.

Eric Beecher knows the news business from bottom to top. He has been a journalist, editor and media proprietor (of Text Media and Crikey), with the rare distinction of having both worked for and been sued (unsuccessfully) by the Murdochs.

This book reveals the distorted role of the media moguls of the past two centuries: their techniques, strategies, behind-closed-doors machinations, and indulgent lifestyles. It explains how they have exploited the shield of the freedom of the press to undermine journalism – and truth.

In an era of fake news, AI and misinformation, this is democracy’s chillingly important story: how a small coterie of flawed and narcissistic moguls created a shadow of power that has contributed to making the media an agent of mistrust.

Eric Beecher has had a long career in journalism, media and publishing. He started his career as a reporter on the Melbourne Age, spent periods at The Sunday Times and The Observer in London, and at The Washington Post; he was appointed as the youngest-ever editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and later as editor-in-chief of the Melbourne Herald. He then became an independent media owner, launching several media and publishing start-up companies, initially in print and then in digital news publishing. He is currently chair and the largest shareholder in Private Media, owner of several Australian news websites, including Crikey.

Eric Beecher has had a long career in journalism, media and publishing. He started his career as a reporter on the Melbourne Age, spent periods at The Sunday Times and The Observer in London, and at The Washington Post; he was appointed as the youngest-ever editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and later as editor-in-chief of the Melbourne Herald. He then became an independent media owner, launching several media and publishing start-up companies, initially in print and then in digital news publishing. He is currently chair and the largest shareholder in Private Media, owner of several Australian news websites, including Crikey.

Collage of covers

Indie Bookshop Appreciation Sale

In celebration of independent bookshops, shop our limited-time sale on bestselling audiobooks. Don’t miss out—purchases support local bookstores!

Shop the sale
Phone showing make the switch message

Limited-time offer

Get two free audiobooks!

Now’s a great time to shop indie. When you start a new one credit per month membership supporting local bookstores with promo code SWITCH, we’ll give you two bonus audiobook credits at sign-up.

Sign up today

Reviews

‘A witty and absorbing Decline and Fall for a media era that has destroyed itself.’  ‘The Men Who Killed the News is one of the most important books published here in many years. It should be read by everyone who is interested in a civil society.’ 'A globally important book' 'Brilliant' ‘In a pacey compression of press history going back to the late 19th century, Beecher vividly illustrates how newspaper moguls … have cynically debased the profession of journalism in pursuit of wealth and power … The Men Who Killed the News is a book for the times.’ Expand reviews
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