Stephanie Knows the Ropes

STEPHANIE Peatling of the Silly Moaning Herald understands the appropriate relationship journalists must maintain in their dealings with the powerful, most particularly our Prime Minister:

If you have wondered why this government has survived a stellar record of incompetence without ever being called seriously to account, the reluctance of Peatling and many like her to be thought other than a prime ministerial allies and all-round team players may help to explain things.

It also helps to explain why Fairfax circulations are plunging -- down 25 percent in a single year at Peatling's former roost, the Sun-Herald. If Fairfax survives long enough to welcome a new owner, that relationship between bum-kissing and near bankruptcy would be worth bearing in mind.

(Thanks to Bob on the Murray for noticing Peatling's eager debasement)

UPDATE: Just imagine if, instead of tut-tutting into her nosegay, Peatling had spoken up, perhaps to say something like this: "Now hang on a tick, Prime Minister, there is more than one of us rolling their eyes. Some straight answers, please, and you'll get a lot more respect."