Social Media
Google pulls YouTube party
Google pulled its annual Parliament House showcase at the last minute after YouTube was named in Labor’s proposed social media age ban.
The announcement came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood with bereaved parents, pledging to protect kids online. A YouTube party didn’t exactly fit the tone.
Ronald Mizen reports in The Australian Financial Review that Google said it canned the event “out of respect for grieving families” and plans to reschedule.
Meanwhile…
LinkedIn escapes teen ban
Who knew it paid to be boring?
LinkedIn has sidestepped the government’s under-16 social media ban, thanks to a new exemption for “professional networking” platforms.
As Cam Wilson details in Crikey, the Microsoft-owned site argued it wasn’t exactly teen bait, and regulators agreed, leaving LinkedIn off the hook as new rules were finalised this week.
But look, if you’re still like 98% of the population and confused about exactly how the social media ban will work fear not, the ABC’s Elissa Steedman’s written a solid explainer on the issue.
Journalism
ABC defends use of Gaza child image
While major outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian have admitted to publishing a viral Gaza photo without full context, the ABC’s Media Watch is standing by its coverage.
Host Linton Besser said the image of 18-month-old Muhammad al-Matouq “stopped the world” and reflected the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
But James Madden and Lydia Lynch report in The Australian, despite global walk-backs, the ABC maintains the photo highlights real suffering, backed by evidence from Palestinian journalists.
Streaming
YouTube overtakes all but BBC in UK viewing
YouTube is now the UK’s second most-watched media service, just behind the BBC, according to the BBC’s Paul Glynn.
Gen Alpha kids head to YouTube first on their TVs, while viewers over 55 have doubled their YouTube time in two years.
Ofcom says scheduled TV feels “increasingly alien” to younger audiences, with YouTube the new default.
Companies
How the Ellisons sealed the $8 billion Paramount deal
David Ellison has spent years cultivating ties with Paramount.
Now, with FCC approval, he and his billionaire father Larry are set to control a Hollywood powerhouse after merging Skydance and Paramount.
As Phoebe Liu writes in Forbes, David will lead Paramount, overseeing hits like Top Gun: Maverick and major networks, while Larry’s wealth and influence helped push the deal through.
AI
Zuckerberg says superintelligence is close as Meta ramps up AI spending
Meta is betting big on AI, buying startups and building huge data centres. Mark Zuckerberg says their AI is starting to improve itself, with superintelligence now “in sight.”
As Johana Bhuiyan reports in The Guardian, investors seem to agree.
The company’s strong quarterly results sparked a stock jump of around 10%.
Television
Why the Logie Awards are broken
Hey, did you know the 2025 Logie Awards are on this Sunday? No? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
In this op-ed, TV Tonight’s David Knox argues the Logies have lost their way since TV Week stopped running them. Now, Seven and its agency handle judging, making the process messy and confusing.
Knox calls for more public involvement, greater independence, and fresh ideas from broadcasters and media alike.
Meanwhile…
Gold Logie nominee Julia Morris has been doing the publicity rounds in an effort to drum up votes.
She spoke to Mediaweek, it what was a truly wild and thoroughly entertaining chat, in which she detailed her uncanny ability to survive in the cutthroat world of showbiz.
As it turns out, it’s been equal parts hustle, reinvention, and survival.