MargaretSimons

There are no adequate words, but thinking of my Jewish friends today with love. It behoves the rest of us to be bold, kind, generous, humble and courageous, think carefully about where and how our words land, who we really want to be, how we can do good among those closest to us

After the Dismissal. For those absorbed in the 50th Anniversary this week, I would urge your furter attention to this event, which I have helped organise. Both liberals and Liberals should find it compelling. trinity.unimelb.edu.au/whats-happenin…

Calling people who have cancer "brave" is such a media cliche. But sometimes cliches become newly powerful, newly true. So it is for my dear friend Jane Gilmore, with this piece. Waiting to live. Waiting to die. open.substack.com/pub/janegilmor…

Very excited to be involved in this event, which should be newsworthy. trinity.unimelb.edu.au/whats-happenin…

@MargaretSimons looking under the bonnet of a modern truth finally sinking in - the impotence of News Ltd - and beginning the discussion of what might matter & change things elsewhere. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Kudos to ⁦@MargaretSimons⁩ for continuing to pursue the facts around ⁦@ChinaMattersAUS⁩ defunding. She confirms that no evidence has emerged to substantiate slurs of foreign interference (read “Chinese”) in its activities. themonthly.com.au/issue/2025/mar…

This issue is SO good. Just read in PRINT VERSION @GeraldineBrooks @MargaretSimons Clare Wright (who has abandoned Twitter)... and I couldn't help think that many people will not read these excellent articles/essays because they read just in small bites, skimming social media

Another remarkable story from @MargaretSimons

“Among most Filipinos there is an unquestioning belief, not without foundation, that the entire edifice of politics is corrupt.” @MargaretSimons in the Philippines mnth.ly/d5Xp66X

@billisdoing It still is! We want it to thrive.

We want what’s best for the Observer – and the Guardian. That’s why the deal with Tortoise makes sense | Ole Jacob Sunde theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

@MarkDando4 It’s a venerable and storied masthead in the UK, Mark, with passionately loyal readers. But little to no digital presence of its own (other than limited socials) and declining print. This move gives investment and a chance to thrive. While The Guardian grows internationally.

Never really understood connection between the Observer and the Guardian, beyond thinking the former may be print version of the latter, but the sale of the Observer seems contentious, perhaps reflecting continuing market for print in UK, while on its last legs in Australia

@billisdoing ….considered. Obvs the boards did not consider this a better option than giving the Observer a chance to thrive digitally and in print as a separate entity. Keep in mind the Observer has close to zero brand recognition outside UK. And the Guardian is increasingly international

@billisdoing That goes back to decisions made in 2012 by previous admins to not give the Observer a standalone digital presence but wrap its content online into The Guardian. We are dealing with today’s consequences of that decision. Amalgamating the two was one of the options closely …

@SarahJadeHunter Understandable concern for job security, the journalism, dislike of change, mixed with, sadly, massive amounts of misinformation. And a union that went in to force ten opposition right out of the blocks leaving less room than ideal for explanation and conversation.

@MargaretSimons I was unsure why the journos were disappointed given it sounds like it’s future has been secured.

@SarahJadeHunter No change, but as the release says, The Guardian will continue to focus on building its global growth, and this deal supports its long term success in becoming more global.

@MargaretSimons What does this mean for The Guardian in Australia?

“So, what is to prevent the election of another Duterte-like figure – perhaps even a member of the Duterte family? ‘Yes,’ she says. ‘We fear that.’” @MargaretSimons talks to Filipino politician and former prisoner Leila de Lima mnth.ly/5gJcSIT