I used to think of journalism (especially investigative journalism) as brave (an often dangerous job) truth-bringers, exposing lies of the powerful (and criminals) to the people.
Over the last couple of decades, I have become increasingly skeptical and jaded about what is published.
Dodgy corporate interests and media monopolies have destroyed my trust.
And now, to keep an eye on current affairs, I'm forced to piece together a flawed jigsaw from many sources.
In particular, I've had to expand my horizons to what I guess would be called 'alternative media', which has its own risks and drawbacks.
However, some of the most effective vehicles for information I've found are on youtube (yes, youtube...sigh), from political comedians.
They present their own research into issues, and in a way that makes it easy to understand subjects which are so dry they could put a hyperactive kid to sleep.
Stuff I never would have heard about from regular sources.
Here's an example. Juice Media rips into dodgy actions by the government...and crack me up (featuring one of my now-favourite terms: "den of mendacious shitlords").
Another is this FriendlyJordies. A couple of university students who expose corruption that is rarely covered in the media.
They presented stories about the premier and deputy premier of their state (New South Wales), who both resigned shortly after and are under investigation by the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption).
The deputy premier even tried to shut him up by sending the federal terrorism police to his producer's family home, and slapping law suits on both of them (which failed).
Is true investigative journalism now only to be found on the Youtube channel of a couple of university students? Maybe so.
In this one, they examine the media's coverage of the lady who was premier stepping down while under investigation into corruption.