Business of Media
Facebook’s ad business drives surge in revenue, following Google’s act
Facebook posted a sharp increase in quarterly revenue and profit as it benefited from a wave of digital ad spending but said it expects growth to slow later this year from factors including Apple’s new ad-targeting rules, reports The Wall Street Journal‘s Sarah E. Needleman.
Facebook posted a sharp increase in quarterly revenue and profit as it benefited from a wave of digital ad spending but said it expects growth to slow later this year from factors including Apple’s new ad-targeting rules.
The social-media giant said its first-quarter earnings report reflects the past year’s trend of people spending more time and money online and advertisers redirecting their resources to take advantage of that shift.
Reporter’s eyes ‘lit up’ after tax scandal tip
A Current Affair reporter Brady Halls has told the NSW Supreme Court his “eyes lit up” when veteran crime journalist Steve Barrett tipped him off about how the ringleaders of an alleged $105m tax fraud syndicate had recruited a string of “battlers” who lived in “caravan parks” to act as the scheme’s unwitting directors, reports News Corp’s Kieran Gair.
Barrett, who once worked for 60 Minutes, the Seven Network and The Australian, has been accused of threatening to expose the alleged scam’s ringleaders, which included the son of former deputy ATO commissioner Michael Cranston, over their suspected role in a major white-collar crime.
In the witness box on Wednesday, Halls said he responded with “You beauty” when Barrett revealed in May 2017 that the alleged scheme had defrauded the government by using a complex network of companies and dummy directors who were “battlers living in caravan parks” who worked for a “nominal fee”.
News Brands
Radical think-tank plan for ABC to take Facebook role
The role of the ABC needs to be “reimagined” in the digital age to allow the national broadcaster to challenge Facebook’s stranglehold on online community hubs, according to a radical proposal by a leading left-wing think tank, reports News Corp’s James Madden.
Under the plan, put forward in a discussion paper to be released on Thursday by the Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible Technology, the ABC would reduce its current reliance on Facebook to manage the national broadcaster’s audience community groups, and instead separate online hubs would be created for community-generated content.
“The reimagining of a public square for Australia is urgent. Every year that Facebook embeds itself deeper into civil society and its central role in our information ecosystem is a year where the prospect of an alternative model becomes harder,” the paper says.
New York Post Reporter Who Wrote False Kamala Harris Story Resigns
The article splashed across the cover of Saturday’s New York Post seemed designed to enrage Republicans who railed against the Biden administration’s immigration policies, reports The New York Times‘ Michael M. Grynbaum.
Under the tabloid-ready headline “KAM ON IN,” The Post, which is controlled by the conservative media baron Rupert Murdoch, claimed that copies of a children’s book written by Vice President Kamala Harris were provided at taxpayer expense in a “welcome kit” for unaccompanied migrant children at a shelter in Long Beach, Calif.
The story whipped around conservative media and elicited denunciations from leading Republicans, including the party chairwoman. A reporter for the Murdoch-owned Fox News, which published its own online article about the claims, asked about it at a televised White House press briefing.
But the claims were untrue. And on Tuesday, the Post reporter who wrote the original article said she had resigned from the paper because of “an incorrect story I was ordered to write,” describing the episode as “my breaking point.”
ABC colleagues pay tribute to retiring chief international correspondent Phil Williams
The ABC correspondent Phil Williams has borne witness to the world’s biggest news events for more than four decades but his enthusiasm for storytelling is undiminished, reports Guardian Australia‘s Amanda Meade.
“I’m still naively excited, like a little boy by telling stories,” Williams tells Guardian Australia. “It’s really not the adrenaline that drives me, it’s just telling and explaining people’s stories to my tribe.
“There’s nothing heroic about it. I’m curious. I’ve been curious forever. And I’ve just happened to pick the international stage to do that on.”
But at the age of 64 the ABC’s chief international correspondent is pulling up stumps.
Radio
2GB radio host Deborah Knight reveals shock cancer diagnosis
Television and radio host Deborah Knight has revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
The 2GB afternoons presenter and former Today breakfast TV host made the shock announcement she will undergo treatment for a Basal cell cancer on her radio show after her dermatologist took a biopsy of a “bump on my nose”.
“It is not the best news,” the mother of three told listeners.
“It is a small cancer and it is nodular, which means I have got to get it cut out. I have got to go under the knife.”
KIIS FM radio host Jackie O reveals why she quit Instagram
KIIS FM breakfast star Jackie O Henderson revealed she has quit social media because it negatively affects her self-esteem, reports News Corp’s Mibengé Nsenduluka.
Henderson and her co-host Kyle Sandilands were discussing US model Hailey Bieber’s decision to limit her Instagram use after it led her down a “dark hole” and Henderson said she can relate.
“I’ve stopped using Instagram because I get off it and feel not good about myself. I actually feel worse than before I went on it,” Henderson, 46, said on the Kyle and Jackie O show.
“I just think it’s not real, everything is so Photoshopped, everyone just looks like they’re having a better life than I am.
Television
Gogglebox Australia’s Tim and Leanne share racist messages they receive
Gogglebox Australia fan favourites Tim and Leanne have shared an insight into the vile messages they receive from racist fans, reports News Corp’s Bianca Mastroianni.
In fact, the racist trolling became so intense that Leanne decided to quit social media altogether.
The siblings have become much-loved by viewers since joining the show a couple of years ago. However, that hasn’t saved them from incessant racist abuse.
This week, Tim shared an Instagram Story from their joint account, writing, “Words are weapons” and showing an example of the type of abuse they face from the public.
Big Brother 2021: MAFS’ Martha Kalifatidis gives warning to mum Mary
Mary Kalifatidis’ reality star daughter gave the 56-year-old the nudge she needed to sign up to Big Brother, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
Martha Kalifatidis, 32, though, warned her mum to be authentic on the reality TV show.
“When I got the green light after doing Skype chats and they confirmed they wanted me, I actually didn’t want to go on and my daughters pushed me,” Mary explained.
Peter Hitchener’s health update after falling ill on live TV
Much loved newsreader Peter Hitchener says he’s feeling fit and healthy after a migraine caused him to fall ill during a live bulletin last month, reports News Corp’s Jackie Epstein.
Out at an event for the first time since, Hitchener attended the Mother’s Day Classic launch at the Langham Hotel on Wednesday.
“Everything’s good,’’ he said.
“I’m very good now and making sure I drink plenty of water.”
Andrew O’Keefe all smiles during treatment break
Andrew O’Keefe was all smiles as he was photographed for the first time since being charged with allegedly assaulting his partner in January, News Corp’s Jonathon Moran and Perry Duffin.
The beleaguered television game show host was snapped outside exclusive rehabilitation centre, the Sydney Clinic, where he has been undergoing treatment.
The 49-year-old appeared upbeat wearing a snug-fitting purple T-shirt and floral shorts as he joined a male friend for a walk and a bite to eat at Bronte cafe, Huxtons.
The Sydney Clinic is a private mental hospital assisting patients with various conditions including mood disorders, substance abuse and behaviour therapy.
Sports Media
NRL eyes clause in next broadcast deal to push case for conference competition
The NRL wants to put a clause into its upcoming free-to-air broadcasting deal which will allow them to renegotiate should they pursue an 18 team, two-conference model before the end of 2027, reports SMH‘s Michael Chammas, Adam Pengilly, and Adrian Proszenko.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has earmarked 2025 as the earliest possible introduction of the competition revamp, which he said on Wednesday was a 50 per cent chance of going ahead.
As clubs digested the news of potentially the biggest competition shake-up since the Super League war, the Herald can reveal the NRL will consider the radical conference proposal in its next broadcasting cycle.
English Premier League concerned about TV rights pricing, might cancel auction
The Premier League has held talks with broadcasters about scrapping its next domestic media rights auction, reports the BBC’s Dan Roan.
The government is now considering whether to approve a rollover of the current UK£4.7bn deal.
Secured in 2018, that sale represented a 10% drop in value.
Clubs are concerned there could be another fall if the usual open-market auction begins as planned next month for the three-year cycle between 2022 and 2025.
The value of rights for domestic leagues in Europe also appears to have peaked.
Talks have been held with the existing live rights holders Sky, BT and Amazon about extending their current deals on similar terms.