The Truth (newspaper)
Encyclopedia
The Truth was a Melbourne
tabloid newspaper established in 1902 as a subsidiary of the Sydney Truth
, established in 1890.
In its early years its politics was very much left-leaning, and it painted itself as the voice of the working class. Before 1945 it had a style of journalism that was high pitched, sensational and melodramatic. The newspaper from its earliest days was based on scandal, particularly based on the records of the divorce courts, which were not subject to restrictions on reporting. In its later decades it featured photographs of scantily-clothed young women.
At one time or other, many of Australia’s respected journalists worked on the paper. In 1967 one reporter was Richard L’Estrange who broke the scandal surrounding the Melbourne-Voyager collision
.
One of its most famous headlines was written to announce the death of Billy Snedden
, who was rumoured to have died of a heart attack while having sexual intercourse with a woman: "Snedden Died On The Job". The name was not always sarcastic, and it broke many important stories including the abortion protection racket of the 1960s.
In December 1958, Ezra Norton
and the other shareholders of its holding company, Truth and Sportsman Ltd, sold their shares to the Fairfax group
, which sold it on to Rupert Murdoch
's News Ltd. The late Owen Thomson (believed to be the inspiration of Barry Humphries' Les Paterson character) and Mark Day were the final owners of the paper before it folded. It is said that Dame Elisabeth Murdoch (Rupert's mother) took a dim view of the scandalsheet and it was later passed on to Thomson and Day.
In its final years, the Truth was noted for its eclectic coverage, which combined big bare breasts on page 3 and tongue-in-cheek humour with hard-edged reporting, as well as the iconic racing liftout form guide, Truform. It was last published in 1995.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
tabloid newspaper established in 1902 as a subsidiary of the Sydney Truth
Truth (Sydney newspaper)
The Truth was a newspaper published in Sydney, Australia. It was founded in August 1890 by William Nicholas Willis and its first editor was Adolphus Taylor. In 1891 it claimed to be "The organ of radical democracy and Australian National Independence" and advocated "a republican Commonwealth...
, established in 1890.
In its early years its politics was very much left-leaning, and it painted itself as the voice of the working class. Before 1945 it had a style of journalism that was high pitched, sensational and melodramatic. The newspaper from its earliest days was based on scandal, particularly based on the records of the divorce courts, which were not subject to restrictions on reporting. In its later decades it featured photographs of scantily-clothed young women.
At one time or other, many of Australia’s respected journalists worked on the paper. In 1967 one reporter was Richard L’Estrange who broke the scandal surrounding the Melbourne-Voyager collision
Melbourne-Voyager collision
The Melbourne-Voyager collision, also referred to as the "Melbourne-Voyager incident" or simply the "Voyager incident", was a collision between two warships of the Royal Australian Navy ; the aircraft carrier and the destroyer...
.
One of its most famous headlines was written to announce the death of Billy Snedden
Billy Snedden
Sir Billy Mackie Snedden, KCMG, QC was an Australian politician representing the Liberal Party. He was Leader of the Opposition at the 1974 federal election, failing to defeat the Labor incumbent Gough Whitlam.-Early life:...
, who was rumoured to have died of a heart attack while having sexual intercourse with a woman: "Snedden Died On The Job". The name was not always sarcastic, and it broke many important stories including the abortion protection racket of the 1960s.
In December 1958, Ezra Norton
Ezra Norton
Ezra Norton was an Australian newspaper baron and businessman.-Early life:Norton was born in the Sydney suburb of Watsons Bay, son of the proprietor of the Truth, John Norton and Ada McGrath , whom he married some weeks later...
and the other shareholders of its holding company, Truth and Sportsman Ltd, sold their shares to the Fairfax group
Fairfax Media
Fairfax Media Limited is one of Australia's largest diversified media companies. The group's operations include newspapers, magazines, radios and digital media operating in Australia and New Zealand. Fairfax Media was founded by the Fairfax family as John Fairfax and Sons, later to become John...
, which sold it on to Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
's News Ltd. The late Owen Thomson (believed to be the inspiration of Barry Humphries' Les Paterson character) and Mark Day were the final owners of the paper before it folded. It is said that Dame Elisabeth Murdoch (Rupert's mother) took a dim view of the scandalsheet and it was later passed on to Thomson and Day.
In its final years, the Truth was noted for its eclectic coverage, which combined big bare breasts on page 3 and tongue-in-cheek humour with hard-edged reporting, as well as the iconic racing liftout form guide, Truform. It was last published in 1995.