Social Media
YouTube’s possible inclusion in age ban approaches D-Day
Australia “won’t be bullied” by Google, says Tanya Plibersek, as the government weighs adding YouTube to its under-16 social media ban.
The eSafety Commissioner has recommended no platform get special treatment, meaning kids could still watch YouTube, but only logged out.
As Clare Armstrong reports in the Herald-Sun, the final call is expected within days, ahead of the law kicking in this December.
Legal
Trump demands Murdoch testify in defamation case
Donald Trump wants Rupert Murdoch deposed within 15 days over a Wall Street Journal story linking him to Jeffrey Epstein.
According to Luc Cohen in Reuters, Trump says the letter at the centre of the report is fake and claims Murdoch knew that before publication.
His legal team argues Murdoch’s involvement shows “actual malice.” The judge has given Murdoch until 4 August to reply.
Kostakidis calls ZFA discrimination case ’embarrassing’
Mary Kostakidis wants a racial discrimination claim by the Zionist Federation of Australia struck out, calling it too vague to stand.
As Amanda Meade details in The Guardian Australia, the former SBS newsreader argues the case fails to specify who was allegedly targeted by her social posts referencing Hezbollah’s leader.
She’s yet to file a defence but is pushing to have the case, or most of it, thrown out.
Television
7.30 trades gravitas for Logies grovel in surprise on-air pitch
In a move no one had on their 2024 bingo card, the ABC’s flagship current affairs show 7.30 has started openly campaigning for a Logie… yes, really.
As Steve Jackson reports in The Australian, host Sarah Ferguson wrapped multiple episodes last week with earnest (and slightly awkward) pleas for viewers to vote for the program, calling it a “personal request” and pointing helpfully to the instructions on-screen.
For a program known for holding power to account, the Logies push felt more red carpet than watchdog.
Streaming
HBO Max makes solid debut with 5% of local streaming market
HBO Max has grabbed 5% of Australia’s streaming market, gaining around 400,000 subscribers in its first quarter, new Kantar data shows.
As John Buckley reports in Capital Brief, boosted by promos and hits like The Last of Us and Succession, the Warner Bros. Discovery service is off to a stronger start here than in France.
Netflix still leads with 73%, but HBO Max’s quick traction signals a promising debut Down Under.
Tech
Signal threatens to quit Australia over encryption demand
Signal’s president Meredith Whittaker says the app will leave Australia if forced to create a backdoor for authorities.
According to Jared Lynch in The Australian, she warns this would break user privacy and security, defeating Signal’s core purpose.
With ASIO pressing for access, Whittaker says the move risks harming fundamental rights.
Companies
Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two companies
Warner Bros. Discovery is splitting into Warner Bros. and Discovery Global less than four years after merging.
Warner Bros. will focus on studios and HBO Max, while Discovery Global takes cable networks and Discovery+.
Reuters reports the split aims to separate streaming growth from declining cable, with completion expected by mid-2026.
Josh Greenstein to join Paramount after Skydance merger
Josh Greenstein is leaving Sony’s Motion Picture Group for a senior position at Paramount once the $8 billion Skydance-Paramount deal closes.
As Pamela McClintock writes in The Hollywood Reporter, his exact title is unclear but is expected to cover more than just the film studio.
The merger is set to finalise around 7 August with announcements likely soon after.