Legal
Lehrmann team pushes for Facebook messages
The Guardian reports that Bruce Lehrmann’s legal team is chasing Facebook messages they believe were sent to the complainant in his ongoing rape case by a Network 10 solicitor.
Judge Craig Chowdhury has granted permission for Lehrmann’s lawyer, Zali Burrows, to subpoena Marlia Saunders, who is currently leading Ten’s defence in a separate defamation matter brought by Lehrmann.
The alleged incident dates back to October 2021. He remains on bail and has yet to enter a plea.
Journalism
Nine calls out Katter over reporter clash
Nine has asked Bob Katter to apologise after the Queensland MP threatened its journalist Josh Bavas during a press call.
Sky News Australia’s Matt Hampson reports the network labelled the exchange “unacceptable” after Katter lashed out when pressed on his own background.
The stoush unfolded outside Queensland’s parliament, where Katter had been talking up the need for migrants to better embrace Australian culture.
Greene(r) pastures at The West Australian
Following his recent resignation from the ABC, the controversial defence correspondent Andrew Greene will join The West Australian as its new national political editor.
A source familiar with the appointment advised that Greene will take up the role next month following his resignation from the ABC earlier this week.
Greene will be based in Canberra.
Streaming
Sky News faces rebrand deadline
In this opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald, Calum Jaspan reports that Sky News Australia will lose the right to its name when Comcast’s licensing deal expires in December 2026.
The long-anticipated shift means News Corp and CEO Paul Whittaker must prepare the network for a fresh identity.
While speculation is swirling about possible replacements, insiders have ruled out a Fox News Australia badge, wary of how the US brand would land locally.
Netflix-style plans fuel TPG growth
Australians are leaning into Netflix-style phone subscriptions, and TPG Telecom is reaping the rewards.
According to Jenny Wiggins in The Australian Financial Review, the telco added 140,000 new mobile users in the six months to June, lifting its customer base to 5.62 million – all thanks to cheaper, prepaid-style offers rather than big-ticket postpaid plans.
Once dominated by postpaid contracts bundled with extras, the mobile market is shifting quickly as consumers prioritise value and flexibility.
Politics
Trump administration moves to curb journalist visas
Foreign journalists are in the firing line of a new Trump administration proposal that would dramatically shorten how long they can work in the US.
As Vanessa Marsh and Anthony Piovesan report in The Daily Telegraph, instead of visas tied to the length of an assignment, reporters would be capped at 240 days, with the option to extend in 240-day blocks.
Chinese journalists would face even tighter restrictions, limited to 90 days at a time.
Television
Paramount Australia tops workplace rankings
If you’re hunting for the best free-to-air network gig, employee reviews suggest Paramount Australia is the place to be.
According to Seek, ex-staff rate Paramount a glowing 4.5 out of 5, citing strong leadership, inclusive culture, and teams that genuinely enjoy the work.
As David Knox writes in TV Tonight, Network 10’s fun events and recognition programs also scored points.
Nine takes full control of 9Rush
Nine has confirmed it now fully runs 9Rush, with the network’s FY25 results revealing it has taken complete operational control of the multi-channel.
As Kyle Laidlaw writes in TV Blackbox The move ends its joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery, which originally supplied the content slate.
Discovery brought the high-octane catalogue, while Nine took care of ad sales and operations.
Radio
KIIS content lead Ed Kirkwood steps down
After five years steering KIIS Network Drive staples Will & Woody and The Pick Up, Ed Kirkwood has called time on his role as Content Lead.
As Sarah Patterson writes on Radio Today, he announced the move on LinkedIn, describing it as a tough but considered decision.
Kirkwood said he was proud of the opportunities the role had given him, crediting the stint with helping him grow into an experienced content creator and leader.
AI
AI safety tests flag alarming misuse risks
A new round of safety testing has revealed that OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 was willing to provide researchers with instructions on how to bomb sports venues, weaponise anthrax and cook up illegal drugs.
As The Guardian’s Robert Booth reports the findings came from a cross-check between AI rivals OpenAI and Anthropic, each stress-testing the other’s models.
The tests weren’t public-use scenarios – consumer-facing versions of ChatGPT are wrapped in extra guardrails – but they highlighted how models can behave when pushed in controlled environments.
Tech Council push on copyright sparks fresh debate
The Tech Council of Australia is under fire after chair Scott Farquhar used platforms like the National Press Club and ABC’s 7.30 to argue that copyright laws are holding back AI development and deterring investment.
As Capital Brief’s Bronwyn Clune reports the pitch has reignited questions about who the council really speaks for.
Critics say the campaign looks less about empowering local startups and more about protecting the interests of global tech giants.
Brands
Mastercard takes naming rights at McLaren
Mastercard is putting its brand squarely on the Formula 1 grid, signing on as McLaren Racing’s official naming partner from next season.
The team will be rebranded the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, expanding on a sponsorship deal struck just a year ago.
The Australian’s Danielle Long reports the partnership will be plugged into Mastercard’s long-running ‘Priceless’ program, with a new global initiative, ‘Team Priceless’.