About Tasmanian Times

Tasmanian Times is a forum of discussion and dissent - a cheeky, irreverent challenge to the mass media's obsession with popularity, superficiality and celebrity.

It is in the tradition of dissenting Tasmanian journalism, drawing inspiration from the first great Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, John West (b. 1809). West earlier had a strong association with The Examiner, founded in 1842. He successfully used its columns as a vehicle of dissent to promote the abolition of the transportation of convicts to Van Diemen's Land.

West wrote this in his History of Tasmania (1852): "The newspapers of this hemisphere were long mere vehicles of government intelligence, or expressions of the views and feelings of the ruling powers. Malice or humour, in the early days, expressed itself in what were called Pipes -- a ditty, either taught by repetition or circulated on scraps of paper: the offences of official men were thus hitched into rhyme. Thus, the fear of satire checked the haughtiness of power."

Amen to that.

Tasmanian Times could not exist without the goodwill of many people. Sue, Tom, Richard, Rachael, Richard, Mike, Allan, Harriet, James, David, Peter and Mike are owed particular thanks.

And it could not exist without the extraordinary goodwill of its readership. Donations to Tasmanian Times and the support of a limited number of advertisers have enabled its continued development and growth.

Thank you.

Founder/Publisher/Editor

Lindsay Tuffin has been a journalist for more than four decades, working throughout Australia and in the UK, from roles as a parliamentary reporter to editor. He is passionate about the search for truth and justice, ideas, running and conversation ... always with wine and food.

Deputy Editor/Editor at Large

James Dryburgh is passionate about communication, truth, nature, culture and thinking about how things are and could be. He has worked, studied and lived in Scotland, Spain and Tasmania, from environmental planning to English teaching. Next stop Latin America... stay tuned!

Responsibility for election comment on Tasmanian Times is taken by Lindsay Tuffin, 9 Phoenix St, Howrah, 7018.

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Balance is appeasement. Fairness is truth.