SydneyNorg

Best & Brightest list does not include journalists

Mainstream media reported last week that the Australia 2020 Summit list comprised 1000 participants. Can they not count? The list referred to included only 885 names.

I believe New Matilda were the only outlet on the ball and their article suggested the balance of the group would be 'state premiers, opposition leaders and other such worthies'. The New Matilda journalist Mark Barnisch asserts that some of the participants did not need to complete the normal nomination procedure. He also correctly points out the heavy weighting of academics. 158 professors by my reckoning. Two professions, academics and politicians look likely to account for perhaps 30% of the Summit. Good times.

Why did everyone believe that there were 1000 names on the list? Because Glyn Davis, the Chair of Australia 2020 told them there were 1000. And he's a Professor.

Here is an incomplete list of the media outlets who reported the list size incorrectly. It seems even The West Australian was fooled.

The Australian

The ABC

Perth Now

Crikey

The Age

The West

SBS