Political journalism is fuelled by off-the-record briefings and private chats. Without them, we’d never find anything out except spin. Or at least, that’s the justification for journalists protecting their sources. But what happens when reporters are used by politicians to stir up trouble? Recently journalists were urged to ‘come clean’ about off-the-record briefings Kevin Rudd had supposedly given them in preparation for challenging Julia Gillard for the leadership. Should they do so?

With guests: Mary Delahunty (Writing Australia), Tim Dunlop (ABC’s The Drum) and George Megalogenis (the Australian) at the Elisabeth Murdoch Building at the University of Melbourne.

This is a free event, but bookings are essential at www.caj.unimelb.edu.au