Man Bites Murdoch: Four Decades in Print, Six Days in Court

by Bruce Guthrie

This explosive first-hand account, written by one of Australia’s feistiest and most controversial editors—Bruce Guthrie—follows the journalist through his 40 years in the news business, including his brutal dismissal from the Herald Sun and the celebrated court case that exposed the inner workings of the world's biggest media company and the treachery of its most senior executives. From Guthrie’s battle with tuberculosis to his clash with media magnate Rupert Murdoch, this memoir not only reveals the power plays that helped shape modern media in Australia, but also conveys the inspiring story of one man's victory over formidable foes.

Genres: Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[zed · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have little time for modern journalists who are beholden to write what their master wants for the good of the masters political view and already bulging pockets. In fact I have little sympathy for Guthrie considering he had no issues pursuing many who no doubt deserved to have their say and could not. I am loathe to re-read this book but have a memory of Guthrie saying that now he realised how others felt after the treatment he received from the Murdoch press. Indeed Mr Guthrie indeed. With all that in mind in the end, if Guthrie is to be believed as a judge did, he was treated poorly and took Murdoch for some pocket money. All fun and games for people in the media who have little respect for anyone other than themselves. Just politely I say stuff em.

[H.R. Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting account of journalist/editor Bruce Guthrie's career and how he won a lawsuit against the Murdoch papers. It gives interesting (and scary) insights into Australian media, especially the Murdoch press and the way it puts profit before journalistic integrity. It's an important account.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courageous.

[Nick · Rating 1 out of 5]

One hundred pages in and not feeling the slightest bit of sympathy for our "Hero". This is suppposed to be a David v Goliath story, but it's a bit hard to take a David who lunches with Premiers and swings elections all in the the name of selling more of a filthy rag like the Herald, seriously. On one page he crows about taking unflattering photos of a politician on holiday with the family and spinning the story horribly - on the next he's crowing about questioning the Editor of the Sun in the UK about their lack of ethical framework. There's also an unflattering number of annecdotes that start with something along the lines of, "... we were at the Emirates Five Star Marquee on Race Day, when I turn to Blah Blah and said...". Wow Dude, a really experienced lawyer instantly took your call (because you are at the big end of town) when you were sacked by Murdoch and you successfully sued News Corp. A real story for the little people. Wanker!

[Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, this. To the casual reader I'd only recommend the first and final chapters, which deal with guthrie's sacking from the herald sun editorialship (for no apparent reason) and the subsequent trial, at the end of which the court brutalized news Ltd. The rest is an autobiographical account of guthrie's time in the press, and much of it is an endless stream of executive appointments and backstabbing, dull stuff for outsiders. That said, there's some weird ass insights about News and the media in general. The scenes involving Murdoch and jeff Kennett are highlights. Both power-drunk petty arsehole tyrants in their own idiosyncratically fucked ways. 2 and a half stars.

[Louise Tobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offered a unique insight to the world of Rupert Murdoch and his News Corporation. Guthrie worked for News for many years in a variety of roles including editor in chief of Rupert's number one Australian daily paper.

[David Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone that takes on Rupert has to be either crazy or ...well, crazy-brave. Guthrie's account of life working for the mogul is both entertaining and, in a sense, eye-opening. In another way, "All is confirmed, my lord, that was reported ..."

[Kathfoster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book tonight and it was so fascinating to read. Considering how unwell Guthrie was as a young child, he was very lucky to be able to fight Murdoch and win.

[Brenda Rosser]

From the library, scary apt