URGENT UPDATE: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is under intense scrutiny after a Senate Estimates hearing yesterday, where CEO Hugh Marks faced allegations of “selective reporting” from Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Price accused the ABC of being “reluctant” to report stories that portray Indigenous Australians negatively. Marks defended the ABC’s integrity, asserting his commitment to the organization’s journalistic standards.
In a shocking revelation, taxpayers funded $2.5 million in external costs for the ABC’s legal defense against a defamation trial brought by journalist Antoinette Lattouf. Despite this financial backing, the ABC has been ordered to pay Lattouf $220,000 in damages, underscoring the high stakes of media accountability in Australia.
Meanwhile, the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) affirmed its commitment to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, despite the ongoing Gaza conflict and the controversy surrounding Israel’s involvement. Acting managing director Jane Palfreyman stated, “impartiality is a bedrock of who we are and our reason for being,” during the Senate Estimates session.
In other media news, Paramount’s recent $150 million acquisition of Bari Weiss’s outlet, The Free Press, highlights a growing demand for independent journalism that challenges mainstream narratives. This move comes amid discussions on how legacy media can regain public trust, as explored in an Op-Ed by Zoe Booth in the Australian Financial Review.
In a significant boost for the sports media landscape, billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik has invested an additional $1.1 billion AUD into DAZN, bringing his total investment to over $13 billion AUD. This influx of cash is set to empower Foxtel in its upcoming battle for NRL rights against Channel 9, crucial for Kayo’s competitive edge in the sports streaming arena.
On the tech front, OpenAI has secured its first contract with the Australian government, valued at $50,000 for software services. This contract was awarded without public competition, raising eyebrows and questions about transparency in government dealings.
In a legal development, Elon Musk and X have settled a payout dispute with four former Twitter executives, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal. The executives claimed they were owed $128 million in severance after Musk’s controversial takeover of the platform.
Finally, broadcaster Ray Hadley hinted at a possible return to 2GB radio, contingent on his friend John Singleton purchasing Nine’s talkback network. This speculation is fueling interest in Singleton’s potential takeover of Nine Radio.
Stay tuned for updates as these stories continue to develop. For the latest in media, marketing, and agency news, subscribe to the Mediaweek Morning Report for free delivery to your inbox.
