The growing crisis in Iraq and the lengthy prison sentence given to Australian journalist Peter Greste in Egypt pushed Foreign Minister Julie Bishop well up the list, with domestic political coverage continuing a slow trend downwards since the massive volumes of the budget six weeks ago. The revelation that up to 150 Australian citizens might be fighting in Iraq also helped push Immigration Minister Scott Morrison back into the top five as the possibility of revoking citizenship was debated across the media.

Yet another foreign affairs issue pushed Attorney-General George Brandis up the list, as he was widely criticised for comments about the terminology used to describe East Jerusalem, with talk of possible boycotts on Australian products, while Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull returned from Coventry to give a pessimistic review of Australia Post’s future profitability.

Parliamentary jockeying ahead of the first week of the new Senate and a return of Latin to the school syllabus (that was the only way I learnt the tiny amount of grammar I know) moved Leader of the House and Education Minister Christopher Pyne up the list, while Finance Minister Mathias Cormann pressed on through the continuing criticism of the government’s watering down of FOFA laws, although he has already changed some aspects of the reform.

Crikey Political Index: June 19-25

Talkback volumes lower across the board with the general news focus on international issues not connecting deeply with that audience.

Talkback Top Five:

 

Social media volumes were also down as sport dominated online discussion with the World Cup in full flow and State of Origin adding to the mix in the rugby league states.

Social Media Top Five:

Socceroo Tim Cahill made the list this week, with yet another big moment on the biggest stage of all. He’s cemented his status as one of the greats of Australian sport.

Comparison of media mentions: