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The Week

If you’re interested in politics or just want to appear up-to-date with current affairs at the next dinner party you go to, I really recommend a new magazine that’s currently out called The Week.

In the tradition of The Bulletin, The Week covers mainly politics, current affairs, culture, arts and a small section on People News (i.e. posh talk for celebrity gossip). About 50% of the news is international, with lots of stories that don’t get heaps of coverage in the Australian media. There is a small section on Travel and Property, but nowhere near the amount you would find in broadsheet newspapers or other magazines.

However, the best thing about The Week is what it’s not. The Week does not do its own stories or reporting. It doesn’t have any writers. Instead, it summarises articles and stories for major publications around Australia and the world. 

So for example, the opening spread in the magazine features three or four topical issues (e.g. the US election) and goes through what was reported, what the commentators said, what the predictions are for the future, etc, in an easy-to-read table format. It also has articles which read a little like “politics for dummies” - explaining all the terms you hear people throw around, but are too embarassed to ask what they mean.

I think The Week is ideal for:

* News junkies who trawl through various sites and publications to get their news;

* People who don’t have time to read heaps of news and just want one publication which summarises everything for them - nice and lazy;

* People who want to sound smart with minimal effort;

* Ministers and college students. From what I hear, there isn’t much time in between readings, assignments and church commitments to keep up to date with the world and current affairs. That’s tough. But if we are to reach out to this world, it’s good to know what is going on. Here’s an easy way to do it. It only costs $5 and you can read it on the train while going home, so there’s no excuse

© 2008 the fountainside..