Helen Razer brings three decades of incisive commentary to her current roles at Crikey and The Saturday Paper. The Melbourne-based journalist specializes in:
Razer's work remains essential reading for understanding power dynamics in Australian society. Her recent gardening column series demonstrates continued innovation in connecting everyday practices to radical politics.
Helen Razer's four-decade career demonstrates a consistent pattern of challenging institutional narratives through sharp cultural analysis. Beginning as part of Triple J's groundbreaking 1990s lineup, she pioneered a style of radio journalism that blended humor with social commentary:
"Capitalism is very frustrating and silly. When something becomes a commodity, its distribution is controlled." – Helen Razer in Goodreads Q&A
This 2017 manifesto remains Razer's most cited work, blending personal narrative with Marxist theory. She dismantles common misconceptions about communism while drawing parallels between late-stage capitalism and environmental collapse. The article's lasting impact lies in its accessibility – translating complex economic theory into urgent contemporary relevance.
Razer's 2024 piece reimagines urban gardening as political act. Through case studies of Melbourne community gardens, she argues that soil cultivation represents both climate action and resistance to corporate food systems. The article features her trademark blend of practical advice and ideological framing.
This 2023 critique challenges mainstream mental health narratives. Razer argues that corporate-sponsored awareness campaigns often obscure systemic causes of psychological distress. The piece demonstrates her ability to reframe health discourse through political-economic lenses.
Razer consistently frames issues through institutional and historical contexts. Successful pitches should demonstrate understanding of how specific topics connect to broader power structures. For instance, a story about healthcare should address pharmaceutical economics rather than personal medical journeys.
While openly communist, Razer values materialist analysis over ideological purity. Pitches should emphasize class dynamics and production relationships. Her gardening article exemplifies this by analyzing urban planning through labor theory of value.
Razer prioritizes stories that expose contradictions in dominant discourses. The mental health piece succeeded by critiquing corporate co-option of wellness movements. Pitches should identify similar paradoxes in current affairs.
Her work frequently references 20th century political history. Effective pitches might connect contemporary issues to historical labor movements or feminist theory developments.
Razer consistently critiques Silicon Valley narratives. Pitches about AI or fintech should focus on power consolidation rather than technological promise.
Australia's highest journalism honor recognized Razer's decade of cultural criticism. The judges praised her "unique ability to make radical theory accessible without dilution."
Her climate justice reporting earned recognition for connecting environmental issues to economic inequality. This nomination cemented her transition from cultural commentator to political analyst.
Won for investigative piece exposing think tank influence on mental health policy. Demonstrates her skill in connecting institutional analysis to public interest reporting.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Politics, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
