The Citizen goes 'live'

Australia's newest independent online news and analysis website, The Citizen, has been launched by the University of Melbourne's Centre for Advancing Journalism. The Citizen is a teaching tool, showcasing the work of students in the University's Master of Journalism program, while providing them with the opportunity to work alongside experienced journalists to real deadlines and with real publication imperatives. It will also will highlight the Centre's research, and serve as a test-bed for experiments in innovative journalism practice. Research and commentary produced by the Centre, as well as contributions from experienced journalists, will also feature. Today's first edition of the publication, edited by former long-time Fairfax Media editor and foreign correspondent Simon Mann, features; Melbourne backs away from CCTV pledge - Lord Mayor Robert Doyle's campaign pledge to add significantly to the city's public surveillance looks to have been sunk by the Council. The loyalty of war veterans is being tested - The RSL is battling to win the loyalty of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, with new support and advocacy groups being favoured by young diggers. Hackers are ramping up their attacks on universities - Leading Australian universities are increasingly falling prey to computer hackers and cybercrime, and the attacks are not coming exclusively from overseas. Charles Happell on how the AFL's media plans threaten big media players - With more football writers than the Herald Sun or The Age, AFL Media stands to dominate. But can readers trust it?