Journalism
National editor’s accidental strip show
Even the sharpest editors can miss a headline, especially when it’s their own.
As Steve Jackson writes in The Australian, Nine’s national editor David King is now the talk of the newsroom after unknowingly baring all on a company-wide video call.
He’d wrapped his part of the evening conference and, thinking the coast was clear, started changing into workout clothes… only to realise his camera was still rolling.
(Incidentally, the story has brought back memories to the Mediaweek office of the now infamous Zoom call that saw Jeffrey Toobin fired (and eventually rehired) by CNN – A pro-tip: use a webcam cover and/or leave the room).
The West Australian keeps NRL out of frame on Origin day
Rugby league’s push into Perth hit a PR brick wall this week, with The West Australian all but blanking the State of Origin clash at Optus Stadium.
As Michael Chammas reports in The Sydney Morning Herald, despite the sellout crowd and national hype, the city’s only daily, owned by Seven West Media, which also broadcasts the AFL, buried the game coverage deep in the sports section, with a wire copy story rubbing shoulders with escort ads.
Classy.
Legal
Roberts-Smith makes final legal push with High Court appeal
Ben Roberts-Smith is taking one last shot at clearing his name, asking the High Court to greenlight a fresh defamation trial, this time featuring secret recordings made by his former mistress.
As Stephen Rice writes in The Australian, he claims the audio captures Nine’s Nick McKenzie boasting about being “actively briefed” on legal strategy, and that this key piece of evidence was kept from the original trial.
The former SAS corporal, who lost his case against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times, now argues he was denied a fair go.
Celebrity cavoodle case takes a turn as ABC enters the chat
Just when you thought the saga of Oscar the celebrity cavoodle had chewed through enough legal paper, in trots the ABC.
The public broadcaster is now sniffing around the high-profile stoush between barrister Gina Edwards and her former solicitor Rebekah Giles over legal costs, following Edwards’ earlier win against Nine and A Current Affair for painting her as a “dog thief”.
As Kishor Napier-Raman and Stephen Brook report in The Sydney Morning Herald, the ABC’s Background Briefing team apparently stumbled into the saga after catching a talk by Edwards’ barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC.
Social Media
Face-scanning flaws raise questions over teen social media ban
With the government’s under-16 social media ban set to roll out in December, early trials of the tech meant to enforce it aren’t exactly reassuring.
Face-scanning tools tested on schoolkids this year could only estimate age within an 18-month range in 85 per cent of cases, meaning plenty of 15-year-olds were mistakenly pegged as 20-somethings.
Industry groups argue face scans are just one part of the broader solution and say the ban is still doable. But, as Ange Lavoipierre, and Angela Heathcote report on ABC News, critics aren’t convinced, warning that the policy may be built on shaky tech foundations that could undermine its credibility from day one.
Public backs teen social ban, but few understand how it works
The Albanese government says Australians are overwhelmingly on board with enforcing the teen social media ban, pointing to a survey showing nearly 90 per cent support for “online age assurance”.
That’s the official term for tech used to verify someone’s age online, though it turns out most people have no clue what it actually means.
But, as Cam Wilson writes in Crikey, dig a little deeper into the data and things get murkier.
Bill Shorten’s campus comeback sparks online cringe
Bill Shorten is back in the headlines, but not for policy or politics.
The former Labor leader turned University of Canberra Vice Chancellor has copped a wave of online mockery after posting a strange Instagram video featuring himself, a dog and two kids running in circles, set to fast-forward footage that drew comparisons to The Benny Hill Show.
But as Oscar Godsell writes on Sky News Australia, the timing hasn’t helped.
Steaming
Netflix and TF1 team up to bring live French TV to subscribers
Starting summer 2026, Netflix members in France will get a taste of TF1’s live channels and on-demand hits without leaving the streaming platform.
This new partnership means shows like Broceliande, Erica, Koh Lanta and The Voice will sit alongside Netflix originals, all accessible through one subscription.
It’s a neat move that blends TF1’s popular dramas, soaps and sports with Netflix’s diverse catalogue, from French favourites like Lupin and Nouvelle École to global blockbusters such as Squid Game Season 3 and Stranger Things Season 5.
Good Cop/Bad Cop wins big in Monte-Carlo
Stan original Good Cop/Bad Cop has picked up some international kudos, with its cast earning the Special Prize at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival’s closing gala.
Luke Cook and Leighton Meester, who play crime-fighting siblings Henry and Lou Hickman, were recognised for their ensemble performance, handpicked by a jury led by Transparent star Judith Light.
As Michael Idato writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, creator John Quaintance kept it heartfelt in his speech, saying it was “really touching” to see the series resonate so far from home.
AI
MIT study finds AI tools may be dumbing us down
A new study out of MIT has poured cold water on the AI hype cycle, finding that heavy reliance on tools like ChatGPT could be eroding our ability to think critically and solve problems independently.
As Jared Lynch writes in The Australian, researchers say that while large language models are undeniably powerful, they may be making users mentally lazier over time.
Lead author Dr Nataliya Kosmyna cautioned that we’re at a “technological crossroads”, urging more scrutiny around how AI is used in learning and information environments.
Television
Kate Phillips lands top content job at the BBC
The BBC has named Kate Phillips as its new Chief Content Officer, officially filling what’s widely considered the biggest gig in British television.
Phillips, who had been serving in the role on an interim basis, steps up permanently following Charlotte Moore’s exit earlier this year to join Sony Pictures TV and The Crown producer Left Bank.
As Alex Ritman writes in Variety, Phillips has been with the BBC for more than a decade, most recently heading up unscripted content.
Podcasts
How ‘Dear Rachelle’ captivated Australia and reignited a cold case
Australia’s appetite for true crime content is more than a passing trend; it’s a cultural phenomenon.
According to the 2024 Australian Podcast Report by Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) and Triton Digital, true crime ranks among the top three podcast genres, with over 3.75 million average monthly listeners.
Notably, true crime podcast listeners are 57% more likely to consume over five hours of podcast content weekly.
Television
ABC’s 2025 drama slate focuses on diversity and adaptations
At the Regional to Global conference in Lennox Head, ABC’s Brett Sleigh shared a sneak peek of what’s coming in 2025.
Kicking off with The Newsreader, a hit aimed at Gen X viewers who remember the late 80s, the network has since launched Bay of Fires, filmed in Western Tasmania, highlighting its commitment to regional stories and diversity.
As David Knox writes in TV Tonight, Sleigh pointed to a strong connection with Tasmania, referencing Marta Dusseldorp’s new production company and previous successes like Rosehaven.
CMT Australia to close, marking end of an era for country music fans
CMT Australia will switch off on July 31, bringing to a close its role as a key destination for country music on Aussie screens.
As Kyle Laidlaw writes in TV Blackbox, The closure was first flagged by Country Town and has since been confirmed by network insiders.
Along with the channel’s shutdown, programmer Saniel “San Man” Marriner is reported to have been made redundant as part of the reshuffle. It’s a tough break for one of the faces behind the channel’s programming.