Journalism
Land council accuses ABC of misleading Blayney report
The Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council has called out the ABC over a report it says misrepresented police complaints against chairman Jamie Newman during a heated meeting linked to the $1.3 billion Blayney goldmine.
As James Dowling and Paige Taylor report in The Australian, the ABC claimed Newman was the subject of multiple police complaints, but failed to include what NSW Police told them: there was no offence, and no investigation.
The council has lodged two complaints with the ABC ombudsman, arguing the omission breaches editorial standards and demands an apology.
Social Media
Crucial safeguard quietly dropped from teen social media ban
A last-minute deal between Labor and the Coalition saw a key exemption stripped from the social media age-ban bill, just days before it was introduced to Parliament.
The exemption would have allowed platforms to prove they were safe for teens and avoid a blanket ban. Its removal, insiders say, makes the law riskier for young users.
Crikey’s Cam Wilson reports the change was made to secure bipartisan support and push the policy through before the election.
TikTok’s Aussie team keeps ballooning as growth rolls on
TikTok has quietly added hundreds of staff in Australia, with its local headcount jumping by a third in just six months, from “over 500” last July to 777 by year’s end. Insiders say it’s climbed even higher in 2025.
The platform is now on track to hit 1,000 Australian employees within the next year, as it continues doubling down on local content, commercial deals and regulatory engagement.
As John Buckley writes in Capital Brief, it’s a clear signal that ByteDance is serious about long-term investment here, even as global scrutiny ramps up.
Legal
Investigation launched into jury accommodation in Patterson trial
An investigation is underway after a jurors in the Erin Patterson trial were housed in the same hotel as journalists, prosecutors and detectives during deliberations.
The judge was not informed for six days, and the defence team only found out two days later, shortly before the jury returned its guilty verdict.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Chris Vedelago reports court authorities are now reviewing whether the jury’s independence was properly protected.
*There is no suggestion that any of the police officers, prosecutors or members of the press behaved inappropriately or attempted to influence the jury.
Rebel Wilson sued over claims tied to The Deb
Producers of The Deb are suing Rebel Wilson, accusing her of making false claims of misconduct and embezzlement during the film’s production.
According to Stephen Rice and Liam Mendes in The Australian, they also allege she threatened legal action to block the release unless her demands were met.
The film premiered at TIFF last year but remains unreleased due to the dispute.
Alex Cullen linked to Portelli-backed reality show on Seven
Ex-Today sports presenter Alex Cullen is in talks to join My Reno Rules, a renovation series backed by billionaire Adrian Portelli, who played a role in Cullen’s exit from Nine.
Seven confirmed Cullen’s signing but hasn’t detailed his role. The show is set to air next year.
As Steve Jackson writes in The Australian, sources say Cullen is a strong candidate for the cast as Seven looks to rival The Block.
Streaming
South Park moves to Paramount+ after bidding battle
South Park has landed a $1.5 billion deal with Paramount+, ending its run on HBO Max. All 26 past seasons plus 50 new episodes will stream there over five years.
New episodes will debut on Comedy Central before hitting Paramount+.
As Osmond Chia reports for the BBC, the latest season’s release was briefly delayed by contract talks but now kicks off this week.
Vale
Henri Szeps, Mother and Son actor, dies aged 81
Henri Szeps, best known as Doug from ABC’s Mother and Son, has died aged 81 after a peaceful battle with Alzheimer’s.
As Natasha May writes in The Guardian Australian, Szeps was born to Holocaust survivors in a Swiss refugee camp, he came to Australia at eight and enjoyed a long career across TV and theatre. He appeared in shows like A Country Practice, Skippy, All Saints and Palace of Dreams, becoming a familiar face on stage and screen.
His son Josh, a broadcaster, shared news of his passing and his enduring spirit.
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71
Hulk Hogan, one of the biggest names in professional wrestling history, has died suddenly at 71, reportedly from cardiac arrest. Paramedics were called to his home in Florida but were unable to save the WWE Hall of Famer.
As Emily Macdonald reports for news.com.au, WWE confirmed the news with a statement on X, paying tribute to Hogan’s massive impact on the sport and popular culture in the 1980s.
Fans worldwide have been left reeling by the loss of a wrestling icon who helped put WWE on the global stage.