An analysis is presented of the media and public reaction to a strike by state school teachers in New South Wales in 1981. It is pointed out that the media, intentionally and/or unintentionally, provided a biased view of teacher-related issues, which operated at an ideological level against the immediate and long-term interests of teachers. Included in the discussion is an appraisal of newspaper articles and editorials, which for the most part, were negative towards the teachers' aims. Evidence was reported of sensational coverage by the newspapers; in articles, headlines frequently slanted the topic in a negative way. Also discussed are editorials which emphasized the hardship imposed by the strike on children and their parents. The editorials tended to idealize the teacher's role as a "dedicated" person rather than examining the basic reasons for the strike. Politicians' views, as presented in the press and on the radio, are examined, as well as public reactions to the strike as indicated by letters to the editor and responses to a phone-in radio show. The point is made that there appears to be a general feeling that, while teachers have the "right" to strike, they should be too devoted to the welfare of the public to do so. (JD)