part of Rupert Murdoch's genius is not only dominating the media with his various publications-but actually having tabloids that appear to be in direct competition.

That way he can support one viewpoint whilst having the aternate view at the same time. A bet each way.
The Sun & the Times are examples although most us think he's really dragged the Times down to The Sun's level rather than the opposite.

There is currently a controversy in Oz over the new PM's supposed loan of 10 year old truck for campaigns and whether he exercised influence to having a government agency prop up a man's failing auto business.

I know it's nonsense-why would a PM with a wife who has a $100M business empire really need a free ute worth a few hundred bucks.

This is reflected in Murdoch's gutter tabloid the Daily Telegraph which re-produces every inane utterance of the Opposition Leader-himself a banker with an estimated $200M fortune(and nephew of Angela Lansbury). The Daily Terror uses every rediculous claim whipping up a non-story. They compare it to the UK MP's expenses scandal.

Murdoch's personal favourite baby The Australian which likes to think of itself as a "high-brow" paper takes the opposite tone.

Now Murdoch is publishing an on-line version of Punch which sank under Mohammed Fayed with claims there will be a print version. He's hired just about writer covering every angle from far right to far left.I reckon it will fail as he intends to charge for content. Murdoch has bungled his whole on-line business starting with paying through the nose for MySpace.

But at least there is a good piece by actor Russel Crowe ( a far more intelligent guy than people give him credit for):

"This Generation Doesn't Know Bullshit from Truth"

www.thepunch.com.au/articles/russell-cro...has-let-us-all-down/