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Crikey

Crikey is an online outlet specializing in , analysis, and commentary on , , , and . Founded in late 1999 as a weekday by Stephen Mayne, a former media adviser to Victorian and activist shareholder, it transitioned to a full in 2000 and has operated for over 25 years as a subscriber-supported platform emphasizing scrutiny of power structures and insider perspectives. Positioning itself against mainstream dominance, Crikey has pursued high-profile legal defenses, most notably prevailing in a 2021 lawsuit filed by over an article associating his influence with the U.S. Capitol riot; Murdoch discontinued the case in 2023 and covered Crikey's A$1.3 million in legal costs. While rated highly for factual reporting, external assessments identify a left-leaning in story selection favoring progressive viewpoints, reflecting patterns observed in outlets critical of corporate and conservative establishments.

History

Founding and Initial Operations (1999–2005)

Crikey originated from jeffed.com, an earlier website launched by Stephen Mayne in 1999 to criticize Victorian Premier , following Mayne's tenure as a media adviser in the until 1994. Mayne, a former , co-founded Crikey with his wife Paula Piccinini, rebranding and expanding the platform into an news service. The site officially launched as crikey.com.au on February 14, 2000, at the height of the dot-com boom. Initial operations centered on a subscription-based weekday , a novel format at the time, charging readers—initially around $199 annually—for access to insider tips, political commentary, media criticism, business analysis, and speculation. Targeted at politicians, investors, journalists, and policy experts, the emphasized an outsider perspective on power structures, avoiding alignment with outlets. A free supplemented the , updated sporadically, such as on Sundays, to build audience engagement without full paywalling content initially. By 2005, after nearly five years of operation, Crikey had established a niche reputation for unfiltered scoops and had grown its subscriber base sufficiently to attract acquisition interest, culminating in a $1 million sale to Private Media Partners, led by Eric Beecher, on February 1, 2005. The period was marked by financial challenges typical of early ventures, including reliance on Mayne's personal funding and efforts to sustain independence amid limited revenue streams.

Acquisition by Private Media and Expansion (2005–2020)

In February 2005, founder Stephen Mayne sold Crikey to Private Media Partners for A$1 million, citing the need to address its financial instability and allow for professional growth under new ownership. Private Media Partners, established by Eric Beecher—former editor-in-chief of —and Di Gribble after Beecher's Text Media was acquired by Fairfax in 2003, already published and focused on independent . Under Private Media's stewardship, Crikey shifted from Mayne's activist-driven model to a more structured operation, emphasizing investigative reporting while maintaining its subscriber-funded core. Beecher's leadership stabilized finances through subscriptions and , enabling gradual expansion of editorial resources and coverage beyond to include , , and scrutiny. By the mid-2010s, the outlet had solidified its role as an independent voice, with Beecher noting in that editorial control had been in place for a decade, fostering consistent output. Expansion accelerated in the late , as Private Media invested in specialized teams to enhance depth. In February 2019, the company launched an "inquiry journalism" initiative, hiring around a dozen full-time reporters and editors dedicated to long-form investigations into power structures, corporate influence, and . This built on earlier growth, with staff increases supporting broader digital formats like podcasts and data-driven stories, while subscriber revenue provided sustainability absent in the pre-2005 era. By 2020, marking two decades since founding, Crikey's operations under Private Media had evolved into a viable independent entity, though reliant on Beecher's strategic oversight amid industry disruptions.

Recent Developments and Acquisitions (2021–Present)

In 2023, Private Media, the parent company of Crikey, implemented redundancies amid a decline in advertising revenue, prompting staff to self-nominate for voluntary payouts by November 27 of that year. This followed a period of financial strain in the independent media sector, exacerbated by broader market challenges including competition from digital platforms. Concurrently, Crikey prevailed in a high-profile defamation lawsuit initiated by Lachlan Murdoch in 2021 over an article alleging parallels between Fox News coverage and historical propaganda; Murdoch withdrew the case on April 21, 2023, after the Federal Court rejected his bid to suppress evidence, marking a significant legal victory for the outlet's investigative reporting. By 2025, Private Media pursued growth through acquisition, purchasing Pinstripe Media on July 22 from David Koch's family business for an undisclosed sum. Pinstripe Media, founded in 2007, operates outlets such as Startup Daily and Flying Solo, targeting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups; the deal integrated these assets with Private Media's existing portfolio, including Crikey and SmartCompany, to broaden coverage of and foster synergies in audience reach. This expansion aimed to strengthen independent media's position in niche markets amid ongoing industry consolidation. Content initiatives also advanced, with Crikey launching the weekly podcast Cut Through on August 10, 2025, to analyze , , and power structures. Additionally, in September 2025, Crikey participated in a multinational investigation into big tech lobbying influence, disclosing that its parent company had received payments from and under Australia's to support journalism sustainability. These developments reflect efforts to diversify revenue and enhance investigative depth while navigating economic pressures in .

Content and Operations

Format, Coverage, and Publishing Model

Crikey operates as a digital-only outlet, delivering content primarily through its and subscription-based newsletters. It maintains a rolling publication schedule, issuing articles throughout the day rather than adhering to traditional deadlines. The format emphasizes a blend of reportage, analysis, opinion pieces, and , with content structured for quick readability online, including headlines, bylines, and occasional elements like embedded videos or data visualizations. Two daily newsletters form a core delivery mechanism: one focused on premium subscriber content and another broader update, both designed to drive engagement and retention amid a paywalled model offering a 21-day free trial. Coverage centers on Australian politics, media scrutiny, , , , , , , and international affairs, often with a lens on power structures and . Investigative pieces, launched as a dedicated in , prioritize deep dives into systemic issues, supplemented by explanatory "behind-the-story" features. and analysis sections provide commentary from contributors, including former insiders, while avoiding broad-spectrum breaking news in favor of niche, critical perspectives. The publishing model relies on subscriptions as the primary revenue source, eschewing heavy advertising dependence since its origins as an email newsletter in 2000. A metered restricts full access to non-subscribers, supporting operational for a lean editorial team focused on independence from corporate or government funding. This approach has enabled growth, with paid subscriptions doubling in recent years through targeted digital strategies, though it limits audience scale compared to ad-supported competitors.

Key Features and Investigative Focus

Crikey distinguishes itself through a digital-first format that delivers daily original content, including news reports, analytical pieces, insider gossip, cultural reviews, and reader-submitted tips, with rolling updates throughout the day to respond to the news cycle while providing broader contextual analysis. Its coverage spans Australian politics, media scrutiny, business dealings, legal affairs, , and select international topics, prioritizing stories that reveal power dynamics and systemic issues over routine event reporting. The publication maintains a subscription model to fund its operations, offering paid access to investigations and archives, which has sustained its independence for over two decades. Central to Crikey's is its investigative , which emphasizes "connecting the dots," tracing financial influences, debunking official narratives, and posing probing questions to political, corporate, and elites. This approach is institutionalized through the INQ , established in mid-2019 with the hiring of 12 specialist journalists dedicated to deep-dive " ," including behind-the-scenes exposés and data-driven probes into or influence peddling. Such efforts aim to hold powerful interests accountable by highlighting of , often drawing on leaked documents, whistleblower inputs via secure anonymous channels, and cross-verified sources. Additional features include the Crikey Daily newsletter for curated summaries and the Crikey Worm, an interactive tool aggregating polling data to visualize electoral trends with transparent sourcing from multiple polls. These elements underscore a commitment to accessible yet rigorous scrutiny, blending irreverent commentary with factual rigor to appeal to readers seeking alternatives to establishment media perspectives.

Ownership and Financial Structure

Private Media Partners' Role

Private Media Partners, later rebranded as Private Media, acquired Crikey from its founder Stephen Mayne in February 2005 for A$1 million, with the transaction including a non-refundable deposit of A$200,000 paid in installments that year and full editorial control transferring on March 9, 2005. The acquiring entity was established by Eric Beecher, a former editor-in-chief of , to focus on independent ventures outside traditional ownership structures. As Crikey's parent company, Private Media has provided operational and financial oversight, including investments to bolster journalistic capacity and adapt to subscription-based models amid declining print media viability. In February 2019, it committed resources to an "inquiry " initiative, creating a dedicated team of approximately a dozen full-time reporters and editors focused on in-depth investigations, which expanded Crikey's investigative output. This support has enabled Crikey to maintain its niche in political and media scrutiny while integrating it into a portfolio that includes business site SmartCompany and publication The Mandarin. Private Media's structure as a privately held entity, with Beecher as chair and largest shareholder, has facilitated decisions prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term shareholder pressures typical of publicly listed media firms. The company's role has also involved managing financial risks, such as workforce adjustments; in November 2023, Private Media reduced its overall staff by 15% across titles including Crikey, citing a protracted downturn in digital advertising revenue. Despite such measures, Private Media has pursued growth through acquisitions, such as Pinstripe Media in an undisclosed deal to enhance content syndication capabilities potentially benefiting Crikey's distribution. This strategic involvement underscores Private Media's function as both steward of Crikey's independence and enforcer of fiscal discipline in a competitive online news landscape.

Business Model and Sustainability Challenges

Crikey operates a subscription-focused business model, emphasizing reader revenue to fund independent investigative journalism. The publication charges annual fees up to AU$199 for access to its content, eschewing heavy reliance on advertising to maintain editorial independence. This approach aligns with a "reader revenue" strategy, where subscriber payments directly support operations, including in-depth reporting and analysis. As of 2023, subscriptions accounted for over 95% of Crikey's revenue, with contributing less than 2%, a deliberate shift from earlier models that balanced both streams more evenly. Private Media, Crikey's parent company, has supplemented this through limited external funding, such as Initiative payments under Australia's media bargaining framework, though these remain minor compared to subscriptions. The model proved resilient during events like the 2022 case, which drove subscriber growth via targeted campaigns. Sustainability challenges persist despite the subscription dominance. In November 2023, Private Media reduced its workforce by 15% amid a sluggish market, indirectly pressuring Crikey's operations within the group. Heavy dependence on paywalls exposes the outlet to risks from subscriber churn, economic downturns affecting on niche , and from free platforms. Crikey's CEO has expressed concerns over this singular concentration, even with minimal supplementation, in a landscape marked by venture capital retreat and platform algorithm shifts. While independently profitable, these factors underscore vulnerabilities for small-scale digital publishers like Crikey, reliant on sustained audience loyalty without diversified income.

Editorial Stance and Bias

Political Orientation and Story Selection

Crikey maintains a left-leaning political , characterized by selection and editorial content that predominantly favor progressive policies, critique conservative figures and institutions, and emphasize , , and anti-corporate narratives. Independent bias rating organizations assess it as left-biased due to these patterns, noting a consistent tilt toward viewpoints aligned with the Australian Labor Party and Greens on issues like climate policy, , and , while applying greater scrutiny to governments. Story selection at Crikey often prioritizes investigations into perceived abuses of power by right-leaning entities, such as extensive coverage of News Corp's influence under the or policy failures attributed to Liberal-National administrations, as seen in repeated exposés on deals and monopolies during the and eras. For example, during the , Crikey published numerous pieces highlighting conflicts of interest in conservative-led mining and banking sectors, while giving comparatively less prominence to equivalent critiques of left-leaning state governments' fiscal mismanagement. This selective focus contributes to its appeal among left-leaning audiences, who rate it highly for alignment with their values, but has drawn accusations of imbalance from conservative commentators who argue it functions as an for progressive activism rather than neutral reporting. Despite this orientation, Crikey's founders and editors have positioned the outlet as a corrective to the rightward skew in Australia's traditional print media, which they describe as economically libertarian and socially conservative, justifying a countervailing emphasis on underreported left-progressive perspectives. However, empirical analyses of bias confirm Crikey's placement among Australia's most left-oriented online sources, alongside outlets like , with story choices reflecting a systemic preference for narratives that challenge and conservative cultural norms over balanced scrutiny of all political actors. This approach, while rooted in its ethos, underscores a departure from strict neutrality, as evidenced by lower engagement with stories defending free-market reforms or critiquing excesses compared to peers with broader ideological coverage.

Assessments of Credibility and Objectivity

Crikey has been rated as left-biased by due to story selection and editorial positions favoring causes, though it receives a high rating for factual reporting based on minimal failed fact checks and proper sourcing. Ground News similarly classifies Crikey as high in factuality, indicating reliable sourcing and low incidence of misinformation. These assessments suggest that while Crikey maintains credibility in verifying facts, its objectivity is compromised by selective coverage that aligns with left-leaning perspectives, such as frequent critiques of conservative figures and media outlets like . Critics have questioned Crikey's adherence to journalistic standards in specific cases. In June 2023, Crikey published an opinion piece by columnist Guy Rundle on the Brittany Higgins case that speculated on her motives without evidence, prompting widespread backlash; the outlet issued two apologies, retracted the article, sacked Rundle, and committed to overhauling editorial processes to prevent future lapses. During Lachlan Murdoch's 2022 against Crikey, Murdoch's legal team argued the outlet failed basic standards by not seeking his response before publishing claims of his involvement in the Capitol riot, though the court ultimately ruled in Crikey's favor on grounds. Further incidents highlight tensions around objectivity. In 2023, Crikey removed an article critical of excesses after internal review, a decision decried by some as to align with prevailing progressive narratives on allegations. In October 2024, Crikey sacked Rundle again following an offensive text message he sent to Radio National, underscoring ongoing challenges in managing contributor conduct amid its opinion-heavy format. Competitors like Independent Australia have accused Crikey of using its platform to discredit rivals while promoting its own funding drives, potentially prioritizing institutional self-preservation over impartial scrutiny. Despite these issues, Crikey's investigative work often relies on primary documents and whistleblowers, contributing to its reputation for uncovering underreported stories in and , though this is selectively applied in ways that amplify left-leaning critiques. Independent analyses note that like Crikey can influence public views through framing, but its bias toward and policies limits broader objectivity. Overall, while factually reliable, Crikey's is tempered by evident ideological slant, reflecting broader patterns in outlets where left-wing biases in source selection and opinion integration undermine neutral presentation.

Controversies and Legal Challenges

Lachlan Murdoch Defamation Lawsuit (2022)

In June 2022, Crikey published an opinion article by its political editor Bernard Keane analyzing former U.S. President Donald Trump's speech at a rally commemorating the , 2021, riot. The piece described "the Murdochs"—referring to the family controlling —as "unindicted co-conspirators" in the events of , imputing that , as 's executive chairman and CEO, bore moral and ethical culpability for the riot due to ' promotion of false claims that the 2020 U.S. was stolen. Keane argued that Murdoch permitted the network to air election denialism, contributing causally to the violence, though the article was framed as commentary rather than factual reporting. On August 23, 2022, initiated defamation proceedings in Australia's Federal Court against Private Media Pty Ltd (Crikey's publisher), , and other senior staff including editor-in-chief Charlie Lewis and chairman Max Leighton. The suit, filed as Murdoch v Private Media Pty Ltd & Ors (NSD673/2022), alleged three principal imputations: that was morally and ethically culpable for the Capitol riot; that he actively supported a U.S. coup attempt; and that he was unfit to lead . Under law, which places the onus on defendants to prove defenses like truth or honest opinion, 's lawyers contended the claims were baseless and damaging to his reputation, seeking damages, an apology, and retraction. Crikey mounted a robust defense centered on the in scrutinizing influence, asserting the imputations were substantially true or fair comment based on ' documented election coverage and internal communications revealed in U.S. litigation. In interlocutory rulings, Justice Michael Wigney permitted Murdoch to amend his statement of claim in January , adding Leighton and CEO as defendants, while noting the case's complexity would delay trial from March to October . A February ( FCA 1608) addressed procedural matters but did not resolve substantive defenses. Legal analysts observed that Murdoch's position was strengthened by the nature of Keane's piece, which lacked tying him personally to orchestration beyond corporate oversight. On April 20, —four days after settled a separate $1.6 billion U.S. suit with for $787.5 million— discontinued the proceedings without extracting an , , or admission of liability from Crikey. He stated confidence in prevailing but cited a desire to focus on business amid U.S. distractions. In August , the Federal Court ordered to pay Crikey's legal costs, estimated at over A$1.3 million, reflecting the defendant's success in defending until discontinuation. The episode highlighted tensions in law's plaintiff-friendly standards and drew commentary on the strategic risks for heirs challenging critical , though Crikey's left-leaning editorial stance—often adversarial to —shaped source interpretations of the article's intent.

Other Disputes and Criticisms of Journalistic Practices

In June 2023, Crikey retracted an by Rundle titled "The Brittany Higgins case: we’re not required to leave our brains at the security entrance," which questioned the veracity and motives behind allegations made by Higgins against a senior political staffer in 2019, citing her subsequent compensation settlement from the Australian government as evidence of potential falsehood. The article contained factual inaccuracies, such as inflating the settlement amount to $3 million and portraying the approval process as unusually rapid without substantiation, and was criticized for victim-blaming and insensitivity toward survivors. Higgins and her partner Sharaz publicly condemned the piece, prompting reader backlash including subscription cancellations. Crikey's editors, Sophie Black and Gina Rushton, issued an initial statement removing the article and followed with a detailed acknowledging that it "did not meet Crikey’s journalistic standards, crucially given that it concerns writing about allegations of ." They took editorial responsibility, noting failures in handling sensitive topics involving vulnerable individuals, and committed to reviewing processes for content, though Rundle defended his writing. This incident highlighted recurring concerns over insufficient pre-publication scrutiny of provocative commentary, particularly on and issues, where Crikey's left-leaning orientation may amplify tolerance for skeptical takes on #MeToo narratives but risks ethical lapses in tone and verification. Similar criticisms arose from Rundle's earlier work, including a 2016 Crikey piece featuring obscene and personal remarks about Labor MP David Feeney's relationship with his wife, Liberty Sanger, which drew widespread condemnation as "beyond " and unprofessional, prompting accusations of breaching basic decency in political commentary. In October 2024, Crikey terminated Rundle's column after he sent a text to an journalist stating "every grope is now ," implying trivialization of such claims, which echoed patterns of downplaying assault allegations and reinforced perceptions of lax oversight on contributors' outputs. Crikey also faced scrutiny for retracting a 2023 three-part investigative series titled "China's queer purge," which alleged systematic of LGBTQ+ individuals under the government but was pulled following community backlash over unsubstantiated claims and overreliance on anecdotal sources, underscoring challenges in verifying foreign reporting amid ideological pressures. These episodes, while prompting internal corrections, have fueled broader critiques of Crikey's practices, including inconsistent application of rigor and editing for opinion-driven content that aligns with progressive critiques but occasionally veers into unsubstantiated territory.

Reception and Impact

Achievements in Independent Journalism

Crikey established a dedicated investigative unit known as INQ in mid-2019, hiring 12 journalists to focus on in-depth journalism amid declining resources at traditional outlets. This initiative enabled sustained original reporting on undercovered topics such as ownership, political influence, and corporate accountability, independent of advertiser pressures. The outlet's reporting has exposed specific instances of journalistic misconduct and financial impropriety. In February 2025, Crikey revealed details of a planned Daily Telegraph story titled "UNDERCOVERJEW," involving an undercover operation by a posing as Jewish, prompting scrutiny of tabloid practices. In April 2024, its coverage highlighted misuse of $137,000 in taxpayer funds by Tourism employees for personal holidays, coinciding with internal audits that led to their dismissal. In September 2025, Crikey contributed to a multinational collaborative investigation into companies' lobbying influence, shedding light on opaque efforts to shape policy across borders. These efforts align with its subscription-funded model, which doubled paid subscribers during the through emphasis on exclusive content. Operating continuously since 2000 without corporate ownership ties, Crikey has maintained a niche in scrutinizing media and political elites, as evidenced by its defense against high-profile claims that underscored broader issues in Australia's legal protections for the powerful. This resilience has supported reader-driven funding, including a 2022 campaign that raised significant resources for legal battles.

Broader Influence and Criticisms

Crikey has influenced public discourse by championing independent that scrutinizes political , concentration, and conflicts of interest, often prompting wider debates on in . Its initiatives, such as the "register of influence" tracking movements between politics, consulting firms, and major corporations like the , have highlighted the phenomenon, contributing to calls for stricter ethical regulations in . Through coverage of threats and , Crikey has participated in surveys and analyses involving over 200 figures, underscoring systemic challenges like declining trust in legacy outlets and the need for diverse voices in a concentrated market. The outlet's reporting has occasionally amplified alternative perspectives on and , such as critiquing Australia's middle-power status amid sovereignty concerns, thereby shaping niche discussions among policy analysts and activists. However, this influence is tempered by its niche audience and subscription model, which limits reach compared to legacy , though it sustains viability via parent company Private Media Partners amid broader precarity. Critics contend that Crikey's broader impact is undermined by a pronounced left-leaning in story selection and positions, favoring narratives while disproportionately targeting conservative figures and institutions like the press. Assessments describe it as exhibiting an "anti-Murdoch obsession," framing much content as a protracted conflict with outlets like , which portrays Crikey's style as unprofessional gossip rather than rigorous analysis. This partisanship, evident in uneven scrutiny of political actors—such as lighter treatment of Greens-related stories—has drawn accusations of selective outrage, eroding perceived objectivity despite high factual accuracy in reporting. Editorial lapses have fueled further skepticism, including a 2023 incident where an opinion piece on Brittany Higgins prompted two apologies and vows to reform processes after backlash for insensitivity and poor judgment. Similarly, columnist Guy Rundle's history of inflammatory commentary, including obscene remarks in 2016, led to internal condemnations and staff exits, highlighting risks of unchecked provocative rhetoric in pursuit of influence. While supporters view these as isolated, detractors argue they reflect deeper cultural issues in left-oriented media, where ideological alignment prioritizes narrative over , contributing to polarized rather than unifying truth-seeking.

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