The Oz runs different two different Morcombe stories. The Australian decided to run two versions of its Daniel Morcombe coverage in its editions around the country this morning. In states outside Queensland, the paper included more details of the alleged murderer’s identity, while online and on newspaper service PressDisplay the stories were notably absent.

Australian deputy chief-of-staff Petra Rees told Crikey that “two versions of the Morcombe stories were written in order not to affect legal proceedings taking place in Queensland. As in many cases, a story may be published outside the state where legal action is taking place that may not be published in that state or online.” — Andrew Crook

Tries, converted tries and damn statistics. Crikey reader John Payne has drew our attention to the impressive kicking statistics that came up on the screen for Springbok David “Butch” James in Channel Nine’s telecast of the Australia vs. South Africa rugby match on Saturday night.

James was successful with the penalty kick, John assures us, which  made his kicking statistics even better! Apparently the feed came from Super Sport in South Africa.

No Bush but he’s polite about it. Leigh Sales, host of ABC’s 7.30 (and recent expert in Crikey’s quality journalism project) got rebuffed for an interview with former US president George W. Bush. But as Sales noted, as she tweeted the rejection letter from Dubya’s people, “This is one of the most polite interview rejections I’ve ever had …”

Crikey agrees. “Therefore, we must respectfully decline your request. I hope you understand. Please accept our sincere thanks for your offer along with president Bush’s very best wishes,” writes communications director Freddy Ford.

Despite everything else, Dubya hasn’t lost that Southern charm.

The Oz and The Climate Institute in carbon stoush. A stoush has broken out between The Australian and The Climate Institute over a report by former Coalition adviser Chris Kenny this morning. Under the headline “Combet caught out on carbon”, Kenny alleged that public servants had warned a report by Vivid Economics had overestimated China’s implicit price on carbon “more than sixfold”.

The suggestion was that the department knew China’s effective carbon price was lower than Australia’s but failed to pass this on to the minister, who made public statements saying the China had already moved on climate change. But in a media release issued late this morning, Climate Institute CEO Erwin Jackson said that the newspaper was guilty of “selective quoting” and “misrepresentation”.

“The report in The Australian today which suggests that the methodology used to calculate the implied carbon pollution price in China is flawed is based on the selective use of information and misrepresents the issues at hand,” Jackson thundered, arguing that third parties had argued that Vivid had actually “under-stated” efforts by China to reduce emissions. Jackson helpfully included the full text of an email exchange with Kenny, who was riffing off a Freedom of Information request by the conservative Institute of Public Affairs. — Andrew Crook

Front Page of the Day. If you love dolphins it may be better to turn away now. If, however, you are fascinated by sharks you will appreciate how readers awoke to their NT News today …

The Department of Corrections. Somewhere on August 11 in Niagara, US, someone thought they had won the lotto …

Consultants to review paywall as part of Fairfax change plan.

“Fairfax Media could unlock its strict paywall across The Australian Financial Review‘s website after appointing a consulting firm to help formulate a five-year plan to boost circulation and introduce a new pricing strategy at the Financial Review Group.” — The Australian

Riots lead to rethink of internet freedom.

“One of the anti-riot measures recently suggested by British PM David Cameron is to prevent rioters from using Twitter and other social networking websites. Such a tactic, which was slammed as a trick resorted to only by authoritarian governments in the past, has had a great impact on world media.” — Global Times

Sunday tabloids add almost 2 million sales after News of the World closure.

“The Sunday Mirror, People and Daily Star Sunday got the biggest sales boosts from the closure of the News of the World in July, reporting circulation increases between 60% and 130% month on month.” — The Guardian

BART website hacked, passenger info leaked.

“A group of international hackers launched a cyber attack against BART today, defacing an agency website and releasing user information taken from the site. The move came a day after the group known as Anonymous promised retaliation for BART’s decision to cut cellular telephone service to prevent a protest in downtown San Francisco on Thursday afternoon.” — San Francisco Chronicle

How valuable are heavy social media users, anyway?

“A recent study from Pew Research Center about social media usage highlighted how internet users in general and Facebook users in particular are more likely to be engaged in political activities such as voting and attending political meetings.” — Forbes

Facebook opens up Places deals to Aussie brands.

“Facebook has opened up its Places check-in service to brands with its first four Australian partners announced today.” — mUmBRELLA