Larrikins, Rebels, and Journalistic Freedom is a cultural history of Australian journalism. In a democratic nation where a free news media is not guaranteed, Australian journalism has inherited what could be described as a 'Larrikin' tradition to protect its independence. This book mines Australian journalism's rebelliousness, humor and distinct disrespect for authority in various socio-historical contexts, to explore its determination to maintain professional independence. Beginning with a Larrikin analysis of Australian journalism's inherited Enlightenment tradition, Dr Josie Vine takes the reader through the Colonial era's hardships, Federation, two World Wars, the Cold War's fear and suspicion, the swinging sixties, a Prime Minister's dismissal, 1980's neo-liberalism, post-9/11 and, finally, provides a conclusive synthesis of current Australian journalism culture. Throughout, the book highlights the audacious, iconoclastic and determined figure of the Larrikin-journalist, forever pushing boundaries to protect democracy's cornerstone - freedom of the news media. "Book-length histories of Australian journalism are still relatively rare, but what makes this new arrival particularly welcome is the way in which it is structured around an exploration of the 'Larrikin paradox'. This refers to the fact that although Australian journalism may profess to be 'professional' and 'reputable', it can also be raucous, unruly and disrespectful in pursuit of what it sees as its democratic purposes. The Larrikin may be a uniquely Australian figure but the paradox is far from confined to Australian journalism (not least because of the influence of erstwhile Australian Rupert Murdoch on journalism in the Anglosphere), and this book should be of considerable interest to those concerned with the means whereby journalism performs its democratic, Fourth Estate role in modern democracies. This is an extremely very well-informed and highly insightful work which ought to appeal equally to those interested in journalism and in Australian politics." - Julian Petley, Professor, Brunel University London, UK

This book examines the micro-cultural ideologies of the journalism profession in Britain and Australia by focusing on the design, execution and development of newspaper building architecture. Concentrating on the main newspaper buildings in some of the major metropolitan areas in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide) and the UK (Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Liverpool) from 1855 to 2010, Newspaper Building Design and Journalism Cultures in Australia and the UK: 1855-2010 interweaves a rich analysis of spatial characteristics of newspaper offices with compelling anecdotes from journalists' working lives, to examine the history, evolution and precarious future of the physical newsroom and the surrounding interior and exterior space. The book argues that newspaper buildings are designed to accommodate and extend journalism's professional values and belief systems over time and that their architecture reflects ideological change and continuity in these value and belief systems, such as the evolution from trade to profession. Ancillary factors, such as the influence of the newspapers' owners on the building design and the financing of new structures are also considered. As professional practice rapidly shifts out of the newspaper offices, this insightful study questions what this may mean for the future of the industry. Newspaper Building Design and Journalism Cultures in Australia and the UK: 1855-2010 will benefit academics and researchers in the areas of media, journalism, cultural studies and urban history.

Larrikins, Rebels, and Journalistic Freedom is a cultural history of Australian journalism. In a democratic nation where a free news media is not guaranteed, Australian journalism has inherited what could be described as a 'Larrikin' tradition to protect its independence. This book mines Australian journalism's rebelliousness, humor and distinct disrespect for authority in various socio-historical contexts, to explore its determination to maintain professional independence. Beginning with a Larrikin analysis of Australian journalism's inherited Enlightenment tradition, Dr Josie Vine takes the reader through the Colonial era's hardships, Federation, two World Wars, the Cold War's fear and suspicion, the swinging sixties, a Prime Minister's dismissal, 1980's neo-liberalism, post-9/11 and, finally, provides a conclusive synthesis of current Australian journalism culture. Throughout, the book highlights the audacious, iconoclastic and determined figure of the Larrikin-journalist, forever pushing boundaries to protect democracy's cornerstone - freedom of the news media. "Book-length histories of Australian journalism are still relatively rare, but what makes this new arrival particularly welcome is the way in which it is structured around an exploration of the 'Larrikin paradox'. This refers to the fact that although Australian journalism may profess to be 'professional' and 'reputable', it can also be raucous, unruly and disrespectful in pursuit of what it sees as its democratic purposes. The Larrikin may be a uniquely Australian figure but the paradox is far from confined to Australian journalism (not least because of the influence of erstwhile Australian Rupert Murdoch on journalism in the Anglosphere), and this book should be of considerable interest to those concerned with the means whereby journalism performs its democratic, Fourth Estate role in modern democracies. This is an extremely very well-informed and highly insightful work which ought to appeal equally to those interested in journalism and in Australian politics." - Julian Petley, Professor, Brunel University London, UK