Journalism
Veteran journo apologises after false post on Kirk’s shooting
Former Insiders host Barrie Cassidy has admitted to feeling “embarrassed” after mistakenly posting misinformation about the alleged killer of US conservative figure Charlie Kirk.
The Australian’s Steve Jackson writes Cassidy suggested online that the suspect’s motives stemmed from believing Kirk wasn’t “far enough to the right” – a claim that turned out to be false.
Cassidy’s post was later deleted.
Media bosses brace for more delays on tech payment policy
Capital Brief’s John Buckley writes that any hopes Anthony Albanese’s US trip might advance plans to make tech giants pay for news have faded.
Media execs are now told to expect the long-overdue consultation paper only after his return.
Executives had hoped the PM would raise the issue with Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly.
ABC backs reporter after Senator Price comments
Aunty has thrown its support behind reporter Isabella Higgins after she described Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s remarks about Indian migrants as “racist” on Insiders over the weekend.
According to James Madden in The Australian, the exchange came after Price suggested Labor was favouring some migrant groups – specifically Indians – for political reasons.
Higgins called the remarks “discriminatory” and “racist,” saying Price excels at tearing down ideas but struggles with “complicated or nuanced” policy.
Television
Nine inquiry probed bullying claims at 60 Minutes
Nine quietly launched an internal investigation into claims that veteran journalist Liz Hayes and producer Gareth Harvey were bullied by 60 Minutes executive producer Kirsty Thomson.
The review, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Nathanael Cooper, conducted by Enterprise Investigations, ran in parallel with Nine’s broader workplace culture inquiry but was never disclosed publicly.
Despite the claims, Thomson has since been promoted to head Nine’s new long-form desk, a role she holds alongside her existing 60 Minutes leadership.
Seven sets Sydney date for HD switchover
Seven has confirmed Sydney will be the next city to make the jump to MPEG4 High Definition, with the switchover locked in for 7 October 2025.
The upgrade follows Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, leaving Melbourne as the only metro market still waiting for a date.
TV Blackbox’s Kevin Perry reports the move means Channel 7, 70, 71 and 7two will all shift to MPEG4 HD.
Streaming
Fox News host apologises for lethal injection remark
Anchor Brian Kilmeade has apologised after suggesting homeless people with mental illness should be “killed by lethal injection” during a segment on Fox & Friends.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Koziol writes that Kilmeade’s co-host Lawrence Jones argued that treatment should be mandatory, with jail as the fallback.
Kilmeade pushed it further, adding “just kill them.”
Radio
Andrew Webster speaks out on SEN resignation
Andrew Webster has broken his silence on why he quit SEN Sydney, using a podcast chat with The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield to spell out his frustration.
As Kevin Perry writes in TV Blackbox, the veteran sports journalist revealed he’d asked the network multiple times to block a listener who was sending him homophobic texts, but nothing was done.
Despite repeated requests, the number wasn’t blocked and, at one point, was even read on air.
Companies
Live Nation tipped to take over Sydney ticketing contract
Ticketek staff have been told to prepare for the likely loss of Venues NSW’s ticketing deal, with Live Nation emerging as the frontrunner to run sales for the SCG and other top Sydney venues from late October.
According to The Australian Financial Review’s Hannah Tattersall, the update came during a Friday town hall with Ticketek boss Brad Banducci and TEG COO Cameron Hoy.
If confirmed, it would hand the state’s most lucrative ticketing contract to the world’s biggest live entertainment company.
Film
Chloé Zhao makes TIFF history with Hamnet win
Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet has taken out the Toronto International Film Festival’s people’s choice award, instantly putting it in the thick of the Oscars race.
According to Variety’s Clayton Davis, the victory makes Zhao the first filmmaker to win the audience prize twice, following her 2020 triumph with Nomadland.
The award has become one of Hollywood’s most reliable awards-season signals.