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Truth Is Trouble

The strange case of Israel Folau, or How Free Speech Became So Complicated

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Truth Is Trouble

By: Malcolm Knox
Narrated by: Laurence Brewer
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About this listen

 From the marriage equality debate to the COVID-19 lockdown, ‘free speech’ has become the new battleground in Australian society. What does the furore over one footballer’s social media postings reveal about how it got that way?

For a period in 2019, a tweet from rugby player Israel Folau became the biggest story in the nation. His urging of homosexuals to ‘repent’ or face damnation cost him his job and divided the country. Churches and politicians, employers and labour lawyers, sponsors and shock jocks, even people who had never heard of Folau – everyone had an opinion about his right to express his view, and many shouted it from the digital rooftop.

Now that the dust has settled, the real question emerges. When celebrities, and sportspeople in particular, are regularly ‘rehabilitated’ after incidents involving drink, drugs and domestic violence, why was it religious belief that got someone fired?

In this powerful and insightful work, triple Walkley Award-winning journalist Malcolm Knox explores how freedom of expression has become our national faultline. Truth is Trouble explores the rise of the religious right and its political consequences; the ‘right to be a bigot’ versus ‘cancel culture’; the changing nature of our rights at work and the separation between public and private lives; and above all, the incendiary power of social media. And by interrogating his own experience, Knox offers a convincing and heartfelt argument for the virtues of uncertainty and an open mind. Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Freedom & Security Oceania Politics & Government Religious Studies Rugby Sports
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You don't have to agree with everything to understand. Well Written, Well Narrated ... Enjoyed this book cover to cover

Easy Listening

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Malcolm Knox examines the Israel Folau controversy from many angles with thoroughness, appropriate scepticism and piercing insight. The book is about a lot more than an angry/lovingly intended tweet.

This is an example of the journalist’s craft at its best

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Another reporter’s point of view on the Israel Folau story. To be honest, I would have preferred an open minded presentation of all sides …& not a preconception of Folau's religious conviction. This comes across again and again. But, I’m only 2hrs into the book. Let’s wait til the end.

2hrs in

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.