Social media
Influencers invited to budget lock-up as government eyes digital reach
In a shift that signals Canberra’s growing interest in digital-first communications, the federal government has extended budget lock-up invites to social media influencers for the first time.
As Noah Yim writes in The Australian, traditionally reserved for legacy media, the lock-up now includes content creators with large followings across platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Cheek Media founder Hannah Ferguson, known for her progressive political takes and 158,000 Instagram followers, revealed she was among “lots of content creators” attending the event.
Television
Seven faces fresh legal fire as ex-producer sues over Lehrmann fallout
Seven is facing a new legal headache, with former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach launching defamation proceedings against his ex-employer in the Federal Court.
As Frank Chung reports for news.com.au, court filings were made Friday, though the full details remain under wraps.
Auerbach’s lawsuit follows months of behind-the-scenes legal sparring, after his lawyers issued concerns notices over alleged comments from senior Seven executives.
ACMA flags WIN captioning fail but avoids formal penalty
ACMA has called out WIN Television Queensland for multiple captioning breaches during late 2024, impacting episodes of A Remarkable Place to Die and Chicago Med.
As Kyle Laidlaw writes on TV Blackbox, the regional Nine affiliate recorded more than 45 captioning issues across the two dramas, with viewers missing key dialogue due to an incorrect playout system setting.
Despite the errors, ACMA has chosen not to take enforcement action.
Streaming
Disney+ launches ESPN in Australia
Disney+ has officially added ESPN to its Australian streaming lineup, unlocking live access to premium US sports, Fight Nights, and every single NHL game for the first time on the platform.
From today, subscribers will be able to stream a lineup of sporting content from ESPN and ESPN2, marking the first time Disney has integrated live sports into its flagship streaming service in Australia.
During a press briefing this week, Disney+ executives outlined the depth of content now available to subscribers and its significance in Disney’s broader streaming strategy.
Bruna Papandrea’s secret to crafting Australian stories for a global stage
Bruna Papandrea, the powerhouse Australian producer behind Big Little Lies, The Undoing, and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, is back with another adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s work, this time with The Last Anniversary, produced under her Made Up Stories banner.
It marks Papandrea’s sixth screen project based on Moriarty’s books, a creative partnership that continues to deliver internationally resonant stories.
Tech
Trump brushes off Signal blunder as leaders rethink secure comms
Donald Trump has dismissed a major messaging mishap as a “glitch” after a top editor was accidentally looped into a Signal group chat discussing classified US military action.
As Michael Koziol writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, The former president defended national security adviser Mike Waltz, whose team mistakenly added The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg to the encrypted thread.
Despite assurances no classified intel was shared, the incident has reignited questions around whether consumer apps have a place in high-stakes diplomacy.
Signal gets unintentional plug after US officials leak military plans in group chat
The encrypted messaging app Signal, long favoured by journalists, whistleblowers and cyber-savvy spies, got a surprising vote of confidence this week when US officials accidentally revealed military strike plans in a Signal group chat that included… a journalist. Oops.
But, as Sam Schechner asks in The Australian, what exactly is Signal and how does it work?
Apple AirPods pick up TGA tick as hearing aid category
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 have officially entered the health tech market in Australia, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration approving them for use as over-the-counter hearing aids.
As Tim Biggs reports in The Age, the move opens the door for the $400 earbuds to be marketed not just as a premium audio accessory, but as a clinically validated hearing support device.
The feature, previously launched in the US, uses iPhones or iPads to run a science-backed hearing test that mimics traditional audiology methods.
Journalism
Media rivals clash over ethics after McKenzie audio leak
Sky News Australia has taken aim at Nine’s flagship investigative reporter, Sharri Markson airing leaked audio of Nick McKenzie in conversation with a key witness from the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial.
As Daanyal Saeed reports in Crikey, Sky framed the recordings as “explosive,” alleging McKenzie crossed ethical lines while chasing testimony.
In the tapes, McKenzie appears to admit sharing confidential details and questions his own judgement, telling the witness he had “breached my f*****g ethics.”
Retail
Endeavour Group signals shake-up as Mervis eyes leaner future
Endeavour Group’s executive chairman Ari Mervis has kicked off a strategic overhaul that could lead to a break-up of the company behind Dan Murphy’s, BWS and hundreds of pubs nationwide.
As Carrie LaFrenz writes in The Australian Financial Review, Mervis, who stepped into the top job following the exit of Steven Donohue, is using his interim tenure to reassess the group’s sprawling portfolio
While finding a new CEO remains his official priority, Mervis has made it clear he’s not just “keeping the seat warm.”