Ben Hills

Ben Hills (1942-2018) was an accomplished Australian investigative journalist and author who spent over four decades covering major stories across Asia and Australia. His career included prominent roles at The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and as a producer for 60 Minutes. Starting as a regional newspaper journalist after migrating from England in 1959, Hills went on to become a foreign correspondent based in London and Hong Kong. His investigative work earned him multiple prestigious awards, including a Walkley Award and the John Newfong Award for Outstanding Indigenous Reporting. Throughout his career, Hills authored six notable books including "Breaking News: The Golden Age of Graham Perkin" and "Stop the Presses: How Greed, Incompetence (and the Internet) Wrecked Fairfax." His work as the Fairfax Japan correspondent from 1992 to 1995 further expanded his international reporting credentials. Hills maintained an active career as a freelancer for SBS TV and other media outlets after leaving Fairfax, continuing to contribute to Australian journalism until his death in Sydney in 2018. His body of work spans investigative reporting, foreign correspondence, and detailed examinations of Australian media institutions.

Readers appreciate Hills' investigative depth and insider perspective on Australian journalism, particularly in his accounts of media institutions. His book "Breaking News" about Graham Perkin received praise for its detailed research and first-hand insights into Australian newspaper history. What readers liked: - Access to behind-the-scenes journalism details - Clear, factual writing style - Documentation of key media industry changes - Personal anecdotes from newsroom experiences What readers disliked: - Technical focus can be dense for general readers - Limited appeal outside Australia/journalism circles - Some felt certain accounts were too insider-focused Online ratings and reviews are limited, with most books having fewer than 10 ratings on Goodreads. "Breaking News" averages 4.0/5 stars from 6 reviews. "Stop the Presses" has a 3.5/5 average from 4 reviews on Amazon Australia. One reviewer on Goodreads noted: "Essential reading for understanding Australian media's transformation, though requires background knowledge of the industry to fully appreciate."

Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne (2006) A biographical account of Crown Princess Masako of Japan, examining her transition from diplomat to royal family member and the pressures of imperial life.

Breaking News: The Golden Age of Graham Perkin (2010) A biography of influential Australian newspaper editor Graham Perkin, documenting his leadership of The Age newspaper from 1966 to 1975.

Stop the Presses: How Greed, Incompetence (and the Internet) Wrecked Fairfax (2014) An investigation into the decline of the Fairfax Media empire, analyzing the business decisions and industry changes that affected the company.

Blue Murder (1989) An examination of the impact of asbestos mining in Australia, focusing on the corporate practices of James Hardie Industries.

Japan Behind the Lines (1996) A collection of reports and observations about Japanese society and culture based on Hills' experiences as Fairfax's Japan correspondent.

David Marr writes extensively about Australian politics and media institutions, focusing on power structures and institutional corruption. His investigative style and examination of Australian journalism parallels Hills' approach in analyzing media organizations and power dynamics.

Peter Greste reports on international conflicts and press freedom issues from his experience as a foreign correspondent across Asia and the Middle East. His work combines firsthand reporting with analysis of media systems, similar to Hills' coverage of Asian affairs and journalism practices.

Margaret Simons documents the changing landscape of Australian media and journalism through detailed investigations and historical analysis. Her focus on media ownership and industry transformation mirrors Hills' examination of newspaper institutions and industry changes.

Paul Barry investigates corporate misconduct and media power through his work as a journalist and author covering Australian institutions. His examination of media moguls and business practices reflects Hills' investigation of newspaper management and industry decisions.

Chris Masters specializes in exposing corruption and institutional failures through long-form investigative journalism. His work in Australian broadcasting and print media demonstrates the same commitment to accountability journalism that characterized Hills' career.