The Men Who Killed the News

‘a hugely important topic, which too few journalists write about.’  * Financial Times *‘The Men Who Killed the News is a passionate and excoriating book that should inform and disturb the general reader interested in media, power, and misinformation.’ * Australian Book Review *‘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.’ * The Conversation *‘A witty and absorbing Decline and Fall for a media era that has destroyed itself.’  – Virginia Trioli‘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.’ – Mark Rubbo, Readings online‘A globally important book’ – Alan Kohler‘Brilliant’ – Mike Carlton, author of Dive!

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.