Media Roundup: Seven reporter stood down, NRL blasts Nine coverage, Social media bans surge, Canva backs creator rights, and Accenture cuts staff for AI

See the top industry stories trending today.

Media

Seven reporter stood down amid lawsuit tensions

Seven has pulled a senior Melbourne reporter from duty just days after she launched a class-action lawsuit over staff pay.

The network cited “mental health concerns” as the reason for enforced leave.

The Australian’s Steve Jackson reports that her alleged missteps included parking in the wrong spot, interviewing a colleague mid-shift, and looking through a manager’s desk.

Mediaweek has reached out to Seven for comment.

NRL takes aim at Nine over AFL coverage

The NRL has picked a fight with its own broadcast partner in the middle of grand final week.

According to Phil Rothfield in The Daily Telegraph, commission boss Peter V’landys has fired off a complaint after Nine’s Today show gave the AFL decider more airtime than the league’s own finals.

Still at Nine…

The Herald Sun’s Georgia Clelland reports the network’s chosen Reece D’Alessandro to take on the role of Queensland’s State Political Reporter, after being left vacated by Tim Arvier in July.

Social Media

Australians lose faith in social media platforms

The Australian’s Jack Nivison writes that we are souring fast on social media, with TikTok, Facebook and X now ranking among the least trusted parts of modern life.

The Governance Institute’s 2025 Ethics Index shows almost one in five people consider these platforms “very unethical.”

TikTok took out the dubious honour of being labelled the “least ethical platform,” while sentiment towards X dropped to its lowest point since Covid.

Social media bans fuel pressure on tech giants

Australians are reporting a surge in unexplained social media bans, with federal authorities flagging growing complaints about AI-driven moderation from platforms like Meta.

The Daily Telegraph’s Andrew Hough reports that small businesses are among the hardest hit, with watchdogs noting many owners have lost their main customer channels overnight.

Business

Canva backs creators in copyright clash

Canva co-founder Cliff Obrecht has broken from the Tech Council’s line on copyright, arguing creators deserve compensation when their work is used to train AI.

“If you have created a piece of work, you own the rights to that work,” he said on the Rapid Response podcast.

As Capital Brief’s Daniel Van Boom and John Buckley detail, his stance contrasts with council chair Scott Farquhar, who recently pushed for weaker copyright laws to lure AI investment.

Radio

Nine radio review draws lowball offers

Nine is weighing the future of 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR after CEO Matt Stanton confirmed the radio network is under review.

The company has signalled it would consider a sale if the price is right.

Buyers are circling, but according to The Australian’s Steve Jackson and James Madden, their offers are well below Nine’s expectations.

AI

Accenture cuts staff who cannot be retrained for AI

Accenture has shed more than 11,000 jobs in the past quarter and warned more roles will go if staff cannot adapt to AI.

As Stephen Foley reports in The Australian Financial Review its global headcount now sits at 779,000, down from 791,000.

The consulting giant is pushing through a $US865m ($1.3b) restructure as demand slows and US government spending tightens.

AI actress sparks talent agent interest

The actress, Tilly Norwood, was created by Eline Van der Velden’s new studio Xicoia.

Variety’s Leo Barraclough writes that according to Van der Velden, Norwood has already caught the attention of several agents.

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