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The Australian’s Ben Packham awarded Lowy Institute Media Award
The Australian’s Ben Packham has been awarded the prestigious Lowy Institute Media Award for his peerless coverage of the nation’s security challenges and the defence industry.
The foreign affairs and defence correspondent has broken many of the biggest stories in defence in the past year as the Albanese government grapples with the need to build towards an AUKUS future with a depleted military.
Among some of Packham’s major stories this year were revelations the departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs ignored mounting evidence of chronic brain injuries in soldiers as a result of blast pressure waves.
Kim Williams decries ‘fake news’, but stays quiet on the ‘doctored audio’ scandal at ABC
ABC chair Kim Williams has warned of the dangers of “fake news” and the threat it poses to democracy, less than a week after the public broadcaster was forced to establish an independent review when it emerged that it seriously misrepresented the actions of an Australian soldier during a 2012 operation in Afghanistan, reports The Australian’s James Madden.
Delivering the keynote address at the annual Lowy Institute Media Lecture on Wednesday night, Williams spoke of the “vital importance of trustworthy news coverage about international affairs”.
“A strong media led by people who believe in professional journalistic ethics is one of our most important democratic assets,” Williams said.
The ABC chair began his speech by citing author George Orwell’s experiences as a soldier during the Spanish Civil War to underscore his point about the relationship between politics and the truth.
“Orwell famously served in the Spanish Civil War and noted how while in Spain he continuously read news stories about things that quite obviously never happened,” Williams said.
Sydney publicist farewelled after sudden death
Prominent Sydney publicist Jai Evans has been remembered by family and friends at an emotional yet uplifting Celebration of Life, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
Evans, 43, was found dead in his luxury Sydney apartment in Darlinghurst earlier this month.
The celebration was held at Woronora Memorial Park in Sutherland and — true to Evans’ fabulously colourful personality — there were moments of laughter and joy interspersed with much sadness at his untimely passing.
Actors Axle Whitehead and Jodi Gordon, along with PR and marketing guru Tiffany Farrington were among those paying respects to the well-known publicist.
Prior to his death, Evans represented popular Married At First Sight couple Duncan James and Evelyn Ellis, and he was once close friends with Lara Worthington and the late Charlotte Dawson.
He founded his own company, Evans Media, in 2005 and worked with hundreds of brands developing PR strategies. He also ran his own candle business, Sydney Fragrance Co.
Sydney podcaster Megan Pustetto pleads guilty to breaching AVO
A Sydney podcaster has admitted to breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO), which was put in place to protect a former TV personality, reports News Corp’s Aymon Bertah and Elliott Stewart.
A lawyer for Megan Pustetto, who hosts celebrity gossip podcast So Dramatic, formally entered guilty pleas to two counts of contravening a prohibition or restriction in an AVO on her client’s behalf in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday.
The pleas follow dramas with Dannii Erskine, who appeared on the Seven Network’s Bride and Prejudice in 2019 and was recently granted a 52-day apprehended personal violence order against Pustetto.
According to court documents, an AVO was made “for the protection of Dannii Erskine, prohibiting or restricting the behaviour of the defendant Megan Pustetto”.
Details of the breaches remain unknown, with her lawyer telling the court representations were still to be made over the police facts.
The lawyer said Pustetto was living in Bali and wouldn’t be returning until the end of November.
The AVO was taken out after Pustetto published several pieces on her So Dramatic podcast and website claiming Erskine had faked her own death.
Erskine later came forward and revealed she was very much alive, and the death claim was a result of her Instagram account being hacked.
Katy Perry’s wild AFL Grand Final payday revealed
Katy Perry is reportedly set to pocket a tidy sum for her AFL grand final performance at the MCG on Saturday, reports News Corp’s Joshua Haigh.
The AFL secured the 39-year-old as its headline pre-game entertainment act in July – in news that was widely applauded by footy fans.
Since then, there has been rumours of disagreements between Perry’s team and organisers on a set list, but the pop star won’t be too bothered considering the amount she is set to make.
Perry will be paid $5 million for the event, reports the Herald Sun. She will perform five songs, meaning she will earn a whopping $1 million for each song.
Perry is also set to share the stage briefly with a yet to be named Aussie female pop star that she “looks up to”.
During an appearance on Channel 10’s The Project, Perry revealed that the mystery guest is a Scorpio, which could point to Delta Goodrem or Tina Arena.
Radio
Listener backlash as Kyle Sandilands calls in sick from LA
Fans of KIIS FM’s popular Kyle & Jackie O breakfast show have expressed concerns after one half of the duo has been absent on air during a highly publicised and expensive trip to the United States, reports News Corp’s Brenden Wood.
KIIS parent company ARN confirmed Kyle Sandilands was unwell, while his absence has sparked a wave of social media commentary with listeners frustrated over repeated segments and a lack of live content.
Kiki Levy took to Instagram, noting that Tuesday’s show was “not live.”
The show aired live from Las Vegas on Monday following the weekend’s iHeart Music Festival.
However on Tuesday, fans quickly pointed out that the broadcast featured recycled content, including a two-year-old interview with millionaire Dan Saunders.
While most of the show was pre-recorded, newsreader Brooklyn Ross was the only live presence, updating listeners from Los Angeles.
Wednesday’s broadcast took an unusual turn when Jackie ‘O’ Henderson revealed that the team were broadcasting from Sandilands’ Beverly Hills home.
See also: KIIS FM’s Bruno Bouchet on Kyle and Jackie on the road in USA
Sports Media
Seven’s new sports boss Chris Jones at function with predecessor Lewis Martin
Hamish McLachlan has praised Channel 7’s new head of sport Chris Jones after his poaching raid on rival network Channel 9, reports News Corp’s Jackie Epstein.
McLachlan caught up with Jones and his predecessor Lewis Martin while hosting the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry grand final lunch at the MCG, alongside VCCI CEO Paul Guerra and Chanelle Pearson. AFL Chairman Richard Goyder and CEO Andrew Dillon also attended.
There was a warm embrace between Martin and Jones.
Jones was seated at the same table as Nine Melbourne news boss Hugh Nailon, who put on a brave show despite the network having key Footy Classified talent Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson poached by Jones.
“In his first month he’s not afraid to make a decision and he’s (Jones) happy to back himself,’’ McLachlan said. “He’s prepared to have a bruise to get the ball.
McLachlan will be back to commentate for Seven in Round 1 next season.
Craig Hutchison’s company Rainmaker at the centre of footy media shake-up
Sports businessman and journalist Craig Hutchison looms as kingmaker in a major shake-up of the AFL media, and is expected to join the on-air talent leaving Nine for Seven in 2025, reports Nine Publishing’s Calum Jaspan.
Hutchison is set to also feature on Seven next year as his production company, Rainmaker, expands its relationship with the Kerry Stokes-controlled network. Two industry sources, speaking anonymously to talk freely, did not expect Hutchison to return to Footy Classified next season.
Rainmaker also produces Seven’s AFLW, hockey, athletics and surfing coverage.
Rainmaker is a direct rival of Eddie McGuire’s JAM TV, which produces Footy Classified. Both individuals have unique positions in Australia’s small and concentrated sports and media industries, as both production owners and on-screen talent.
McGuire commissioned Footy Classified himself in 2007 during his brief stint as chief executive of Nine. Hutchison and Caroline Wilson are the only founding panellists to remain on the show, while McGuire continues to host the Wednesday night edition himself. Despite the ongoing drama, McGuire and Hutchison met on Wednesday morning, with the events considered part of business.
AFL grand final could be the highest rating of all time
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has predicted the first grand final not to feature a Victorian club in almost two decades could be the highest rating of all time after Peter V’landys had earlier this week mocked claims the code would eventually usurp rugby league in Sydney, report Nine Publishing’s Adam Pengilly and Hannah Hammoud.
Dillon, speaking in the lead-up to the Sydney Swans-Brisbane Lions decider at the MCG on Saturday, made the claim after V’landys hit back at suggestions the NRL was losing its grip on NSW and Queensland.
The NRL is celebrating a record-breaking year of television ratings, crowds and surpassing 200,000 registered participants for the first time .
‘Ridiculous and ill-informed’: NRL kingpin rubbishes ‘delusional’ AFL claim
NRL boss Peter V’landys has hit back at claims the AFL is taking over Sydney following criticism of a rugby league finals crowd last weekend, reports News Corp’s Matthew Sullivan.
the NRL’s struggles were also pointed out by AFL commentator Brian Taylor on the Channel 7 broadcast.
“Lovely scenes here at the SCG, of course prelim finals,” Taylor said.
“Next door, an NRL game looks half empty there about 10,000 people. The SCG absolutely packed out. Amazing. Give some attention to Aussie rules up here, it’s going pretty well I reckon.”
It came after AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson said last week the success of the Swans and the Giants was proof Aussie Rules was in a good place in NSW.
“Right now, the AFL, the sport of Australian Rules is as healthy in NSW as it is in any other state,” Robinson said.