| URL | http://www.mercatornet.com |
|---|---|
| Slogan | A voice for Human Dignity |
| Commercial? | No |
| Type of site | Commentary on current issues in society, politics, ethics and culture |
| Owner | New Media Foundation Pty Ltd |
| Created by | Michael Cook |
| Launched | 2004 |
MercatorNet (aka Mercator) is a magazine operating out of Sydney, Australia and has been online since 2004. Its focus is parenting/family issues, bioethics, religion, philosophy and entertainment. In its mission statement, MercatorNet says it aims to be a voice for human dignity.
Contents |
The name MercatorNet was apparently inspired by Gerardus Mercator (1512–1594) - a Renaissance cartographer whose work shaped the identity of the modern world. Using the latest reports of new discoveries, he created innovative maps which became known throughout Europe. Mercator was a creative and skillful craftsman - he invented the map projection which bears his name and coined the term "atlas".
MercatorNet editorial policy describes the site as "dignitarian". The magazine opposes moral relativism, scientism, commercialism, utilitarianism, and materialism and aims at balance and accuracy. On its website, it says that its arguments are based on universally accepted moral principles, common sense and evidence, and that, "our ambition is to put a sound vision of the human person at the center of politics, education, social policy and culture"[1].
Themes of published articles range from the challenges involved in juggling careers and motherhood[2] to moral relativism and its effects. [3]
Editor: Michael Cook, a Sydney journalist who has edited the family magazine Perspective for a number of years and contributes to American and Australian magazine and newspapers as a freelance writer. He also edits an international bioethics newsletter, BioEdge and writes a monthly bioethics column, Quandary, for the magazine Australasian Science.
Deputy editor: Carolyn Moynihan, the founding editor of Family Edge newsletter and Deputy Editor of MercatorNet. Her interests lie with the family, women and, ageing.
MercatorNet has contributing editors in the US, Canada, Uganda, and Japan.
Regular contributors to MercatorNet are: Margaret Somerville, Barbara Kay, Maggie Gallagher, Jennifer Roback Morse, Sheila Liaugminas and Joanna Bogle.
New Media Foundation, an Australian company which sponsors projects in the media, is MercatorNet's main backer. Its other project is BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter also edited by Michael Cook. MercatorNet's main financial support is via donations from readers and syndication of its articles.
MercatorNet articles that have been published by major newspapers in Australia.