AustraliaOwnership & classification
Founded: 2000
Ownership
Crikey is an Australian online news and commentary outlet started as a daily email by activist shareholder Stephen Mayne in early 2000. In 2005 Mayne sold it to Private Media (then Private Media Partners), owned by former Sydney Morning Herald editor-in-chief Eric Beecher. Crikey is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Private Media Pty Ltd, where Beecher is the largest shareholder (just over 40%); other shareholders include the Fairfax family via Marinya Capital and Cameron O'Reilly's Bayard Capital.
Funding
Almost entirely reader-funded, with roughly 98% of revenue coming from subscriptions, supplemented by some advertising and reader donation campaigns; it takes no government or party money.
Affiliation & stance
Crikey is an independent, privately owned digital publisher with a progressive, watchdog editorial stance and no party or state ties, making it INDEPENDENT. Its commentary tilts left-of-centre, consistent with the site's LEFT lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Left
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Leftbased on 108
81/100
Factual
70/100
Objective
131
Articles
131
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Auction clearance rates fall to lowest level in six years
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'MrBeast model': Stefanovic's numbers reveal his broader strategy
Qantas has made a song and dance about its new ultra-long-haul planes. Pilots have concerns
One Nation’s anti-abortion turn shows MAGA’s creeping power in Australia
Court rejects Trump's final bid to overturn E Jean Carroll verdict
Recent coverage
Potholes v portraits: Council snapped in political row over $5000 photo wall
Liverpool Council faced criticism for allocating $5000 to create a photo wall honoring current and former politicians, amid ongoing complaints from residents about poor maintenance of local infrastructure such as parks, roads, and cleanliness. The proposal, backed by Liberal councillor Matthew Marte, aims to document the city's civic history and recognize elected representatives. Mayor Ned Mannoun supported the initiative, arguing that councillors deserve acknowledgment for their service, especially considering their lower salaries compared to state and federal politicians. Critics, including Liverpool Labor MP Charishma Kaliyanda, condemned the spending as a 'ratepayer-funded shrine to themselves' and suggested the funds could have been better used for essential services like maintaining parks and repairing roads. Kaliyanda highlighted that the same amount could purchase equipment to address these issues. Opposing councillor Sam Karnib raised practical concerns about completing the project due to a lack of suitable photographs, suggesting AI might be necessary.
Deeming wins stay of execution as Liberal Party delays meeting on her future
Moira Deeming, a Liberal Party candidate in Victoria, has secured a temporary reprieve from potential disendorsement after the party agreed to delay its decision by two weeks. The delay comes as Deeming challenges the party's attempt to remove her due to her refusal to apologize for an unsubstantiated assault allegation against former leader Matthew Guy. Lawyers representing Liberal state president Brian Loughnane assured the Supreme Court that the party would wait until the outcome of Deeming's legal challenge before taking further action. Deeming's legal team argued that the party must provide her with natural justice if it wishes to disendorse her, while the party claims it has already done so by inviting her to present her case at a scheduled executive meeting. If disendorsed, Deeming's political career could effectively end. Meanwhile, Deeming has been considered as a potential candidate for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, though Hanson has rejected her, citing a lack of integrity.
The Christian Brothers are crying poor to avoid paying abuse survivors. They have no social licence to exist
The Christian Brothers, a religious order within the Roman Catholic Church, have faced scrutiny over their handling of historical child sexual abuse claims. Despite transferring millions of dollars' worth of property to an associated entity for just $1 each, they have sought a temporary halt on paying compensation to abuse survivors, citing financial difficulties. Historical data from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse revealed that 22% of ordained Christian Brothers from 1950 onward were identified as alleged paedophiles, and between 1980 and 2015, 1,015 individuals made abuse claims against the order, naming 483 alleged perpetrators. These figures are believed to represent only a fraction of the true extent of the issue.
Soul of America Part 2: How a nation of contradictions winds up with the ‘first white president’
The article discusses the ongoing civil conflicts in American history, highlighting how the nation's development has been marked by recurring struggles between opposing ideals such as freedom versus dictatorship, equality versus slavery, and democracy versus monarchy. It references historical figures like South Carolina Congressman Thomas Miller, musician James Baldwin, former President Barack Obama, and current President Donald Trump to illustrate these tensions. The piece notes that America's history includes significant turning points, such as the abolition of slavery through the Civil War, which resulted in the assassination of a president.
We looked at 50 cases of people ‘getting Murdoched’. Their abuse tells a familiar story
The article discusses the tactics used by News Corp, particularly through its media outlets like Fox News, in targeting individuals through aggressive editorial practices. It references a book titled 'Getting Murdoched,' which documents 50 cases where people faced abuse from Rupert Murdoch's media empire across Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. The piece highlights how News Corp's approach goes beyond traditional journalism, often involving character attacks and prolonged vendettas. The article suggests that once someone becomes a target, they face intense scrutiny and smear campaigns, often before having the opportunity to respond.
How to become a right-wing grifter
The article presents a satirical piece titled 'How to become a right-wing grifter,' written under the pseudonym 'Australia’s brave elite battlers.' It uses exaggerated and dark humor to comment on the instability of job security in the face of automation and corporate cost-cutting. The piece mocks the idea of traditional employment stability while suggesting that figures like Karl Stefanovic and Dave Hughes—well-known Australian media personalities—are offering alternative career paths. The tone is critical of modern economic trends but frames the commentary through a humorous and hyperbolic lens.
How gambling companies use the grey area of sponsorship and ads to reach World Cup viewers
The FIFA World Cup offers significant marketing opportunities for sponsors, including gambling companies like Bet365, which is a sponsor of SBS' World Cup coverage. Despite Australia's existing gambling advertising bans during live sports, these companies find ways to promote their services through sponsorships and pre/post-game ads. Critics argue that this exposure, especially to younger audiences who may not be aware of age restrictions on streaming platforms, poses public health risks. While SBS claims compliance with current regulations, concerns remain about the effectiveness of these rules in preventing underage exposure. New regulations set to take effect in 2027 aim to address these issues but will not apply to the ongoing World Cup. A majority of Australians support a complete ban on gambling ads, as recommended by a bipartisan committee led by former MP Peta Murphy.
Albanese government urged to go further on tax reform
The article discusses growing pressure on the Albanese government, particularly Treasurer Jim Chalmers, to expand tax reforms following the NSW Labor conference. The focus is on demands from within the state Labor party for measures such as ending property tax concessions, limiting negative gearing benefits, expanding the GST base, implementing a billionaires tax, and increasing council rates on small businesses. The article highlights the ongoing political momentum around these policies, suggesting they are gaining traction among grassroots members.
The Snoop: Angus bombs in Midwinter Ball speech, signs of a Karl and Kyle partnership, and more
The article discusses the reaction to Australian politician Angus Taylor's speech at the Midwinter Ball, an annual event in Canberra where political leaders typically deliver speeches. Attendees reportedly found Taylor's speech poorly received, comparing it unfavorably to a previous speech by Sussan Ley, who had been well-received. The piece also mentions other political figures such as Karl Stefanovic, Kyle Sandilands, and Pauline Hanson. Additionally, it references DFAT's response to the recognition of Palestine by Australia being welcomed by Hamas, though no specific details or quotes are provided.
Soul of America Part 1: A single presidency (not Trump’s) explains everything
This article explores the life of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, who served a single term from 1825 to 1829. It highlights how Adams' life reflects the complex contradictions inherent in the American experiment, particularly regarding leadership and governance. The piece discusses the founding principles of the U.S., emphasizing the rejection of hereditary titles and monarchy, which contrasts with the realities of presidential power and legacy. While Adams is often viewed as an ineffective leader, the article suggests his story offers insight into the enduring tensions within American democracy.
Australia’s economic windfall off coal demand is a double-edged sword
Australia is experiencing increased demand for thermal coal due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to higher prices and economic benefits for the country. However, this surge in coal demand comes with environmental concerns and potential long-term consequences. The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been actively securing energy and fertilizer supplies in Asia, while countries like South Korea have relaxed their coal usage caps and postponed the retirement of coal-fired power plants to meet energy needs amid supply shortages.
ICAC to probe alleged illegal political donations and branch stacking in NSW Liberals
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in New South Wales has launched an eight-week investigation into allegations that senior members of the Liberal Party engaged in illegal political activities. These include soliciting and concealing donations exceeding legal limits and coordinating efforts with property developer Jean Nassif to remove opposition politicians. The inquiry focuses on potential violations of NSW electoral laws, particularly regarding donation caps and the prohibition on property developers contributing to political campaigns.
As Chinese-Australian politicians seize an anti-Hanson moment, some of their voters support her. Understanding why is complex
The article discusses the surprising support among some Chinese-Australian voters for Pauline Hanson, leader of the One Nation party, despite her known anti-Asian and anti-Chinese rhetoric. It highlights the reaction to Hanson's recent National Press Club speech where she criticized Mandarin as a 'language problem' and expressed concerns about China. In response, Ben Wang, a Chinese-Australian politician and member of the Labor Party, publicly challenged Hanson to a debate, expressing personal offense at her comments. The piece explores the complexity of voter sentiment and the reasons behind continued support for Hanson despite her controversial stance.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
New blow for Pauline after ‘monoculture’ speech
The country that's been dragged in to Australia's 'monoculture' debate
What’s in the US-Iran peace deal? A lot of concessions and empty promises from Trump, in return for little
