Murray-Darling report lays bare ‘the system is sick’, say the people it affects

The Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission has cited gross maladministration, negligence and unlawful actions by Commonwealth officials as just a handful of the failures in its multi-billion-dollar effort to save Australia’s largest river system.

Huge cash injection for China state media

Large Western media organisations could do nothing but shake their heads this week as reports came out of China that $US7 billion dollars was to flow into state media. While newspapers, television, radio, and even internet properties in the Western world were being gutted by their parent organisations, China spoke of expanding its reach in … Continue reading “Huge cash injection for China state media”

Claims lese majeste overused in Thailand

While there are many stated differences between Thailand’s competing political parties, their one constant – as with all Thais – is a reverence for the Thai royal family. But with new charges facing academics, and censorship being suggested for community radio stations and internet conversations on the king and monarchy, the reasons behind legally imposing … Continue reading “Claims lese majeste overused in Thailand”

Court first for Indian brain scan technology

An Indian court in July became the first in the world to convict a suspect based on evidence from some widely-unproven brain scanning technology. In one Indian state alone, around 75 crime suspects and witnesses have undergone the controversial technique since 2006. But fellow scientists, ethicists and the forensics community are extremely apprehensive about the … Continue reading “Court first for Indian brain scan technology”