Meta replaces fact-checking with ‘Community Notes’ ahead of Trump’s return
By Emma Shepherd
Trump: ‘It’s a step in the right direction.’
In a move that’s sure to stir debate, Meta has scrapped its third-party fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram, opting instead for a “community notes” feature. The timing? Just days before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.
Shifting to ‘community notes’
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerbergannounced the change on Tuesday, saying it marked a return to the company’s roots of promoting free expression. “The legacy media, after Trump’s first election in 2016, labelled misinformation as a threat to democracy,” he said. “We tried to address this in good faith, but fact-checkers have proven too politically biased, creating more distrust than trust.”
The community notes system will rely on users to provide context and alternative perspectives on flagged posts. Meta claims this will prevent the biased moderation issues that plagued its fact-checking program, where independent contractors assessed content.
Reducing censorship
Zuckerberg cited concerns that fact-checking had stifled political debate, particularly during Trump’s first term. “Even if only 1% of posts are mistakenly censored, that’s millions of voices silenced,” he said. Meta will also loosen restrictions on topics like immigration and gender identity, which were tightened in 2021.
The company’s trust and safety teams, which oversee content policies, will relocate from California to Texas to address bias concerns. “We believe moving to a region with less cultural bias will help rebuild trust,” Zuckerberg explained.
Political implications
The change has raised eyebrows, with critics accusing Meta of pandering to the incoming Trump administration. Ava Lee from advocacy group Global Witness said the decision prioritises political interests over responsibility. “This is a blatant attempt to cosy up to Trump. Meta is abandoning its duty to tackle hate speech and misinformation,” she said.
Trump, meanwhile, has welcomed the shift. “It’s a step in the right direction,” he said at a press conference. Asked if the change was prompted by his previous criticism of Meta, he replied, “Probably.”
A new chapter for moderation
Meta’s announcement comes as other tech companies, like Elon Musk’s X, roll back content moderation in favour of free speech. While this move is limited to the US for now, it signals a broader shift in how tech giants manage harmful content.
Whether this gamble pays off or invites fresh criticism, one thing is certain: Meta’s decision is a major shift that will impact how information flows in the lead-up to Trump’s second term.
Australian Open 2025: Start date, TV channel, and how to watch as Nine serves up grand slam action
By Emma Shepherd
‘The AO is without doubt the greatest sporting event on the Australian summer calendar.’
The 2025 Australian Open is set to ignite Melbourne from Sunday, 12 January, with Nine’s Wide World of Sports offering exclusive, wall-to-wall coverage. Tennis fans can catch every match live and free across Channel 9HD, 9GemHD, and 9Now, delivering an unmatched viewing experience for the year’s first grand slam tournament.
A star-studded line-up
On the court, Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios returns to face the giants of the sport. Reigning men’s singles champion Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic—dubbed the “king of Melbourne Park”—and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz headline the men’s draw.
In the women’s singles, Aryna Sabalenka is chasing a historic third consecutive Australian Open title. She faces fierce competition from world-class challengers, including Coco Gauff, Jess Pegula, Iga Swiatek, and 2023 runner-up Elena Rybakina.
Australia boasts a strong contingent, with top players Alex de Minaur (No. 8), Alexei Popyrin (No. 25), and Thanasi Kokkinakis (No. 77) leading the charge. Wildcards like Ajla Tomljanovic and Daria Saville aim to pull off inspiring underdog victories.
Unmatched broadcast excellence
Nine’s coverage of AO25 is set to be a broadcast juggernaut, with a world-class team of hosts and commentators capturing every moment. Tennis legends including Jim Courier, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, and Jelena Dokic will provide expert commentary, alongside Aussie icons like Dylan Alcott, Lleyton Hewitt, and Sam Stosur.
Channel 9’s coverage will be hosted by James Bracey, Roz Kelly, and Tony Jones, while 9Gem features Sylvia Jeffreys, Nick McArdle, and Brett Phillips. On-court reporting will be led by Clint Stanaway and Danika Mason, with dynamic match callers Brenton Speed and Peter Psaltis adding their voices to the action.
Adding star power, Paris 2024 gold medallists Ariarne Titmus and Jess Fox join the team to capture the vibrant off-court atmosphere. Andy Lee, Sophie Monk, and Mike Goldstein bring their comedic flair in a special AO edition of The Hundred.
The 2025 Australian Open serves up world-class tennis under Melbourne’s iconic summer skies.
How to watch the Australian Open 2025
Nine’s comprehensive coverage begins with A Night with Novak on Thursday, January 9, at 7:30 PM AEDT on Channel 9, offering fans an exclusive preview of the tournament.
From 12 January, fans can enjoy over 300 hours of live action across Channel 9HD, 9GemHD, and streaming platform 9Now. Whether on TV or mobile devices, 9Now ensures access to every match in full HD, including highlights packages and daily top moments with AO Morning Serve. For a premium ad-free experience with centre court in 4K, Stan Sport will deliver every match live and on demand.
A festival beyond tennis
Nine’s director of sport, Brent Williams, highlights the broader appeal of the Australian Open: “The AO is without doubt the greatest sporting event on the Australian summer calendar. While the best players in the world battle it out on the courts, Melbourne Park comes alive with a thriving festival of food, music, family, and entertainment.”
Rain, hail, or shine, Nine’s comprehensive coverage ensures fans won’t miss a moment of the action. Whether it’s the intensity of the finals or the thrill of the juniors and wheelchair championships, the 2025 Australian Open is shaping up to be a spectacle of sport and entertainment.
Don’t miss a moment
Tune in to Nine and 9Now from 12 January for the Australian Open 2025. With exclusive access, expert commentary, and full HD streaming, Nine’s Wide World of Sports is the ultimate destination for tennis fans this summer.
Foxtel claims Australia vs India Test as most watched series across its platforms
By Alisha Buaya Steve Crawley: ‘It was a historic Test series with many moments that captivated Australians.’
Foxtel has claimed the NRMA Insurance Five Test series between Australia and India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was the most-watched test series of all time across its platforms, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now.
The series was up 47% on the 2023/24 ‘Summer of Cricket’ Tests and up 20% on the last Australia-India Test series in Australia in 2020/21.
The growth was driven by the New Years Test in Sydney, which was the most watched individual Test of all-time, as well as record streaming audiences, which were up 73% on the 2023/24 ‘Summer of Cricket’ Tests and 121% up on the 2020/21 series vs India.
Across the 2024/25 Test series, more than 1.4 billion minutes were streamed on Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now, making it the most streamed of all time.
“From the strong debuts of Sam Konstas and Beau Webster, to Boland and Bumrah’s epic wicket hauls to the brilliance of winning captain Pat Cummins – it was a historic Test series with many moments that captivated Australians,” Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley said.
“Our audiences agree, choosing Fox Sports and our world-class production to watch every minute of the action and breaking audience records along the way.”
Steve Smith
During the series, Fox Cricket also introduced a number of new technologies leveraging artificial intelligence, paired with data from tracking cameras and providing audiences with unique insights of the game.
Steve continued: “Congratulations to the Fox Sports team, Cricket Australia, the national India cricket team and, of course, the Australian cricket team, on a phenomenal series.”
Other record-breaking highlights from the series include:
• Most watched individual Test Day ever – Day 3 of the Sydney Test • Most streamed Test Day ever – Melbourne Test Day 1 • Most watched session ever – Sydney Test Day 3 Session 2 • Most streamed session ever – Sydney Test Day 3 Session 2 • Four of the Top 5 most watched sessions ever
The 2024/25 ‘Summer of Cricket’ continues with Fox Cricket on Kayo Sports and Foxtel the only place to watch every match of the KFC Big Bash League live and in UHD 4K with no ads during live play, with select matches available on BINGE.
Fox Cricket will also broadcast the Women’s Ashes where Australia’s bid to defend their title begins this week when they face England at North Sydney Oval. It will begin with three ODI’s, followed by three T20’s and finally finishing with one Test Match.
Coverage of the Women’s Ashes begins on Sunday 12 January at 10am AEDT with Fox Cricket experts Megan Barnard, Rachael Haynes and Alex Blackwell to provide commentary. All the action will be live and ad-break free during play on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
Family films fuel box office festive feast, setting the stage for 2025
By Emma Shepherd
As audiences return to cinemas in droves, it’s clear that the power of the big screen is back—bigger, brighter, and more bankable than ever.
The Australian box office ended 2024 with a bang, wrapping up the year in blockbuster style. Delivering over 13.36 million cinema admissions in the final quarter—a healthy +13% boost on last year, reports Val Morgan.
Family favourites lead the festive cheer
This holiday season, the silver screen was the place to be. A lineup of family-friendly hits and youth-focused blockbusters drove nearly +20% growth across the coveted P18-39 and P25-54 demographics.
At the top of the pile was Disney’s Moana 2, making waves with 2.42 million admissions and $40.8 million at the box office. The film is now the eighth highest-grossing animation of all time, cementing its place as the summer’s must-see movie.
Other standout performers included:
• Wicked: The Broadway adaptation soared past expectations, attracting over 2.06 million admissions and almost $40 million. Globally, it now holds the record as the highest-grossing Broadway film adaptation, overtaking Mamma Mia (2008). • Venom: The Last Dance and Gladiator II: Both continued to pack a punch, contributing significantly to Q4’s success. • Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2: The Bollywood blockbuster delivered the biggest opening weekend ever for an Indian film in Australia and globally, becoming the fourth highest-grossing Indian film in Australian history. • Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Zipping onto screens on Boxing Day, it sprinted to $15.7 million at the box office with 894,000 admissions, smashing franchise records and doubling the performance of the original film.
2025 kicks off with cinematic sizzle
The momentum carried into 2025 with a sizzling start to the year. Over the first weekend, cinemas recorded 1.08 million admissions, an +8% increase on the same weekend last year. Once again, family films led the charge:
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continued its speedy success, drawing 230,000 admissions. • Paddington in Peru opened to a franchise-best $3 million, with 180,000 admissions, doubling the debut performance of the original Paddington (2014). • Mufasa: The Lion King continued to roar in its third week, pulling in 163,000 admissions.
Guy Burbidge, managing director of Val Morgan Cinema, described the strong start as a sign of great things to come, saying, “The momentum heading into the new year will continue to attract audiences throughout the school holidays.”
A blockbuster slate to look forward to
If 2024’s finale was a showstopper, 2025 is shaping up to be a full-on encore. Admissions are forecasted to grow +5% year-on-year, with a packed schedule of long-awaited blockbusters and fresh content set to dominate the calendar.
Notable H1 releases include:
• February: Captain America: Brave New World, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy • March: Mickey 17, Snow White • April: A Minecraft Movie • May: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Lilo & Stitch • June: How to Train Your Dragon, 28 Years Later, F1
Burbidge said that with no major global sporting events scheduled for 2025, brands have a golden opportunity to align with cinema’s cultural moments. “With tentpole releases like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Avatar 3 on the horizon, 2025 promises huge, bankable moments for brands to own,” he said.
As audiences return to cinemas in droves, it’s clear that the power of the big screen is back—bigger, brighter, and more bankable than ever.
Australian Lamb skewers the comments section its 20th summer campaign via Droga5 ANZ
By Alisha Buaya
Nathan Low: ‘The Summer Lamb campaign is an irreverent reminder that Australians are always at our best when we’re united.’
Australian Lamb’s summer ad has returned for its 20th year.
This year, the summer campaign is skewering the online comments that divide our nation.
Created by Droga5 ANZ, part of Accenture Song, and directed by Max Barden from The Sweetshop, the film was created with 100% real Australian comments sourced from online platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Facebook and YouTube.
From an innocuous cuppa to a jacked Artificial Intelligence Kochie, it feels like everything is dividing the nation – that is until a lamb BBQ appears to remind Australians that when we get out of the comments and into the cutlets, we’re a kinder more united country.
The first campaign to be released by Droga5 ANZ, the ad is accompanied by a bespoke 15” and OOH campaign that uses real comments about the ad, both good and bad, to drive people to watch the full film online.
The ad premieres during the evening news of Seven and Nine on 7 January, followed by a national media campaign rolled out by UM across BVOD, SVOD, YouTube, cinema, paid social and retail OOH. With One Green Bean driving reach across earned media and owned social.
“When you delve into the world of online commentary, it would leave you thinking Aussies are at each other’s throats, no matter how trivial the topic. But in real life, Aussies don’t treat each other like that,” Nathan Low, general manager for marketing and insights at Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), said.
“The Summer Lamb campaign is an irreverent reminder that Australians are always at our best when we’re united, and there’s no better way to bring everyone together than over an epic Aussie lamb BBQ,” he added.
Tara Ford, chief creative officer at Droga5 Australia, said: “The online world has been dividing the real world more than ever, so silencing the comments sections with Australian Lamb is the brand at its fearless, topical, irreverent best. Hopefully it gets people commenting in person over a cutlet or two.”
Credits: Client: Meat & Livestock Australia General Manager – Marketing and Insights: Nathan Low Strategic Marketing Operations Manager: Jeffrey Ng Brand Manager – Lamb: Derek Lau Creative Agency: Droga5 ANZ, part of Accenture Song
Production Company: The Sweetshop Director: Max Barden Editor: Joe Morris Finish: Alt VFX Audio Production & Music Supervision: Massive Music Sound Designer: Simon Kane Music Composition: Massive Music Media Agency: UM PR and Social Agency: One Green Bean Social Listening: Kinesso
Australian spending surges to 13.6% in December: Beforepay Cost of Living Index
By Alisha Buaya Jamie Twiss: ‘The year-on-year increase we’re seeing highlights how inflation continues to impact Australians’ daily expenses.’
Australian spending surged in December 2024 to 13.6% year-on-year to $73.48, compared to $64.49 in December 2023, according to new data from the Beforepay Cost of Living Index.
The figure also indicates growth of 11.1% month-on-month, up from $66.12 in November, reflecting the combined impact of inflation and festive season expenses. The index noted that while the increase can be attributed to seasonal uplift, the month-on-month increase is significantly higher compared to a 4% increase for the same period last year.
Spending increased across all key categories in December 2024, with shopping the largest contributor according to the Beforepay Cost of Living Index.
Daily average spend for the category jumped 36% to $12.57 from $9.24. Durable shopping followed, rising 14.7% to a daily average spend of $8.96 in December, up from $7.81.
The Index also reported that the daily average spend also rose across other discretionary categories: fitness and health up 9.4% to $3.49 from $3.19, entertainment and leisure up 8.5% to $5.34 from $4.92, and food and drink up 7.5% to $11.90 from $11.07.
Additional costs associated with festive meals and travel were reflected in increases across non-discretionary categories – groceries jumped 5.6% month-on-month to a daily average spend of $15.91 from $15.06, while petrol and auto rose 6.2% to $8.28 from $7.80. Utilities remained unchanged from November 2024 at $7.03.
Holiday shopping dominated December spending, with the daily average spend for the category jumping 36% to $12.57 from $9.24.
“December is a month where household budgets are tested, balancing the celebrations and travel of the season with rising costs,” Jamie Twiss, CEO of Beforepay, said.
“The year-on-year increase we’re seeing highlights how inflation continues to impact Australians’ daily expenses. As we look ahead to 2025, this is a critical moment for households to recalibrate their financial priorities and build strategies to navigate both persistent inflation and future challenges.”
The December 2024 Beforepay Cost of Living Index offers insights derived from over 430,000 users, providing a detailed view of consumer behaviour across essential and discretionary spending categories.
Tinder challenges Aussie singles to ‘Break Out of Your Bubble’ in new summer campaign
By Alisha Buaya Kristen Hardeman: ‘‘Break Out of Your Bubble’ is all about inspiring Aussies to break free from their everyday routines and discover the endless possibilities waiting just outside their comfort zones.’
Tinder has launched its bold new summer campaign, “Break Out of Your Bubble”, challenging Australians to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new experiences, people, and places through the platform’s expansive dating pool.
The campaign is rooted in the observation that Australians often stick to familiar social circles and routines. It takes a satirical approach, spotlighting every day “bubbles” Aussies unknowingly live in.
“Break Out of Your Bubble” offers a humorous wake-up call and a refreshing alternative: Tinder’s diverse community of connections.
This launch comes in time for dating ‘peak season’ – the period from the end of December until Valentine’s Day on 14th February. On Tinder, there are 2.1 million more messages sent per day and 298.4 million more ‘Likes’ per day during this period compared to the yearly average.
The busiest day of the year, known as “Dating Sunday,” fell on January 5th, 2025, when Tinder historically experiences a 15% spike in global ‘Likes’ and 20% more messages sent compared to the rest of the year. These stats highlight the heightened opportunities for meaningful connections during the peak summer period.
The campaign’s creative heart features a series of short, satirical “news reports,” brought to life by some of Australia’s most exciting creators.
Oliver Mills
Influencers like Sam Fricker, Ella Jae, Oliver Mills, and The Fitzy Twins take centre stage as roving reporters, delivering witty and relatable takes on Aussie social tropes. Each segment playfully unpacks familiar habits—like always dating within the same suburb or hanging out with the same “J-names”—while highlighting Tinder as the perfect tool to expand horizons.
“A new relationship starts on Tinder every three seconds and we believe that the best relationships often start when you try something new. ‘Break Out of Your Bubble’ is all about inspiring Aussies to break free from their everyday routines and discover the endless possibilities waiting just outside their comfort zones,” Kristen Hardeman, country director at Tinder Australia, said.
Fitzy Twins
“Summer is the perfect time for new adventures, and Tinder is here to help you connect with someone who can make those adventures unforgettable,” she added.
With a digital-focused media plan spanning TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, and Meta, Tinder’s campaign will reach audiences across Australia encouraging Aussies to embrace the unexpected this summer.
The Athlete’s Foot hits the ground running with new Back to School campaign
By Alisha Buaya
Watch here: The Athlete’s Foot has launched its latest creative campaign
The Athlete’s Foot has launched its latest creative campaign, extending the momentum from its Fit For Every Run refresh with an energetic Back to School activation, developed in collaboration with creative communications agency, ICON.
The multi-channel campaign, launching today across Australia and New Zealand, celebrates the excitement and energy of the new school year. Continuing the message of movement in all its forms, the campaign focuses on kids and their active lifestyles. The key visuals are elevated by dynamic animations created by Studio 3AM, spotlighting moments of youthful motion, whether it’s dashing into the classroom, dancing in the schoolyard, or racing to the finish line.
The 360-degree campaign spans broadcast, cinema, out-of-home, point-of-sale, and in-store activations, and is supported by a comprehensive social media rollout.
“For our Back to School campaign, we wanted to capture the excitement and energy that kids bring to every moment,” said Heidi Fisher, head of marketing at The Athlete’s Foot.
“This year’s creative focuses on the joy in those everyday moments, and shows how the right fit empowers kids to feel confident, be active, and ready for every school day adventure. We hope it also fuels confidence in parents that we have the range for school and sport shoes and that they will last the distance.”
Georgina Rees, executive director of creative and campaigns at ICON, added: “This campaign builds on the energy we established with Fit For Every Run, but with a playful twist. We wanted to capture moments of movement throughout a school day, from mayhem at the first bell, to charging out of the gates at home time. All with a healthy dose of playful attitude in line with Fit For Every Run.”
Kenneth E. Parris III, senior creative at ICON, said: “When you’re a kid, a great-fitting pair of shoes makes you feel like you can do anything: run faster, jump higher, even fly. The Athlete’s Foot’s core message of finding the perfect fit and our Fit For Every Run campaign allowed us to bring this insight to life by capturing the unbound energy, self-expression, and a touch of rebellion that we all secretly admire in kids.”
Fit For Every Run: Back to School media planning and buying was handled by RCJ Media.
Credits:
Client: The Athlete’s Foot Head of Marketing: Heidi Fisher Content Marketing Lead: Mairead Comerford
Creative Agency: ICON Senior Creative-Art Director: Kenneth E. Parris III Senior Creative-Copywriter: Gareth Fitzpatrick
Senior Art Director: Simone Parravicini
Executive Director of Creative & Campaigns: Georgina Rees
Creative Producer: Aaron Scullion Senior Designer: Christopher Lewis Art Director & Designer: Marc Hoyler Creative Operations Manager: Emily Han
Film Production: Quiet Conqueror Director: Arthur Chan Producer: Michaela Le Director of Photography: Don Buppapirak Colourist: Marcus Friedlander Photographer: Steve Greenaway Photographer Assist: Kurt Bingham
Animation and VFX: Studio 3AM
Media: Russell Curtis & Janes Media Advertising Key Account Manager: Cass Dalla Costa Account Manager: Isabella Sciarra
By Alisha Buaya Miles Fisher: ‘We believe this partnership represents a significant step forward in delivering a seamless and effective advertising experience across the growing CTV landscape.’
Yahoo DSP has introduced a series of new integrations with top reporting, sustainability, and supply-path segmentation partners, which are designed to help advertisers do more with their budgets at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Expanding supply intelligence partnerships
This innovative suite of integrations, developed in collaboration with leading partners Jounce, Peer39, and Scope3, provides advertisers with actionable insights and tools to optimise their campaigns. These include targeting and reporting across supply path segmentation, inventory quality, sustainability, and more.
With the increasingly complex supply landscape, it is ever more important for brands to decide their own supply curation strategies. Through these industry-leading partnerships and solutions, advertisers will be able to choose their own quality programmatic journey via Yahoo DSP.
“These supply intelligence partnerships represent a leap forward in giving advertisers the data and control they need to maximise their campaigns,” said Adam Roodman, GM of Yahoo DSP.
“With this innovation, we’re empowering brands to optimise their investments with greater transparency, efficiency, and actionable insights, reinforcing our commitment to delivering unmatched choice and control.”
Partnering with Trustworthy Accountability Group
Yahoo DSP has also recently collaborated with the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) and the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), reinforcing its efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in the programmatic media supply chain. By aligning with industry standards, Yahoo DSP is helping advertisers make more informed decisions and fostering trust in the digital advertising ecosystem.
Yahoo DSP is now providing full transparency for the ANA / TAG TrustNet Programmatic Transparency Benchmark, offering visibility to marketers into their programmatic supply chain. This visibility includes exposure to log files, increased reporting granularity, and comprehensive costs across demand and supply.
DSP Partnership with Roku Exchange and Roku Data Cloud
Yahoo DSP has partnered with Roku to further streamline the TV buying process, simplifying how advertisers reach their audiences and reducing fragmentation in the ecosystem. Advertisers in the US are expected to have access to Roku’s CTV supply and key TV audiences at a critical time when CTV viewership continues to grow.
This partnership is designed to unlock the following: • Yahoo ConnectID integration: Provide advertisers with more precise targeting and measurement capabilities while maintaining a privacy-centric approach across channels in the identity-constrained world. This integration is intended to future-proof audience and supply activation. • Access to Roku’s scaled TV audiences: Through Roku Data Cloud, advertisers can reach new audiences that are otherwise difficult to engage through traditional linear TV. Yahoo DSP is expected to be the first demand-side platform with access to these unique audiences for activation across all supply, which is expected to be available later this year. • Yahoo Backstage activation: Give advertisers access to Roku’s premium CTV inventory through Roku Exchange, enhancing transparency and performance.
“Roku’s collaboration with Yahoo DSP is intended to bridge the gap for advertisers seeking scalable and effective solutions in CTV,” said Miles Fisher, senior director of strategic Advertising Partnerships at Roku.
“By combining Roku’s extensive audience reach and Yahoo DSP’s advanced programmatic capabilities, we’re allowing brands to connect with viewers in ways that are more data-driven, measurable, and impactful. We believe this partnership represents a significant step forward in delivering a seamless and effective advertising experience across the growing CTV landscape.”
With a strategic partnership with Roku, innovations in supply path optimisation, and a commitment to transparency through TAG and ANA, Yahoo DSP is redefining programmatic advertising. These advancements reinforce our mission to empower advertisers with choice, control, and trust in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
'Sounds like a mutiny’: Big reason working from home still hasn’t been scrapped in Australia ‘
As we approach the new year, questions loom over the future of working from home, writes Ally Foster for news.com.au.
In 2024, major companies like Amazon, Dell, Tabcorp, and Flight Centre implemented return-to-office mandates, leaving hybrid and remote workers facing uncertainty. Many fear that 2025 could bring a wave of similar policies, pushing more employees back into traditional office settings.
However, some experts remain optimistic about the future of remote work in Australia. Natasha Hawker, managing director of HR and recruitment firm Employee Matters, suggests many employers will hesitate to eliminate flexible work arrangements, mindful of potential backlash from staff.
Speaking on Sunrise, Hawker highlighted the significant advantages of remote work, which employees now see as a standard benefit.
“COVID introduced working from home, and it’s challenging to reverse that. Employees have grown to expect it,” she explained. “When recruiting for our clients, candidates often won’t even consider an interview without reviewing the company’s working-from-home policy.”
'You can’t be serious’: Nine lures McEnroe back for Australian Open
Nine has bolstered its Australian Open commentary lineup by bringing back tennis legend John McEnroe and enlisting two prominent Olympians, reports The Age’s Jon Pierik.
McEnroe, a seven-time grand slam champion and former world No. 1, will play a prominent role in Nine’s coverage. Known for his sharp insights and occasionally polarising commentary, the 65-year-old returned to Australia last year after a three-year absence, having previously been a regular in the commentary box and a key figure in on-court interviews.
Joining McEnroe in Nine’s expanded coverage are fellow American Jim Courier and Australian tennis icons Todd Woodbridge and Jelena Dokic. Nine, which owns The Age, has confirmed the significant addition to its broadcast team.
Amanda Laing firms for mega Nine broadcast job amid restructure
Nine Entertainment is set to appoint former Foxtel executive Amanda Laing to a newly created role overseeing broadcast operations, reports The Australian Financial Review’s Kylar Loussikian.
The proposed management shake-up at the $2 billion media company could be finalised within weeks.
The role is expected to report directly to Nine’s acting CEO, Matt Stanton, and will encompass oversight of the company’s free-to-air television and radio divisions, as well as its Stan streaming platform.
If confirmed, this move would mark Ms Laing’s return to Nine, where she served as managing director until 2017. According to sources familiar with the matter, Ms Laing would only commence the position later this year, once her non-compete obligations with Foxtel have concluded. These sources declined to speak on the record as they were not authorised to discuss the appointment publicly.
Sun safety message lost in TikTok tanning trend, experts say
Australia’s social media influencers are being urged to prioritise sun safety in response to a troubling TikTok trend that encourages tanning for visible tan lines, reports The Daily Telegraph’s Eliza Barr.
Despite the sobering statistic that one person dies from skin cancer every six hours in Australia, some young people are intentionally exposing themselves to high UV levels to achieve the popular look.
At Bondi Beach yesterday, teenager Jess Craboledda acknowledged the risks but admitted that many of her peers remain indifferent.
“I come home burnt quite a bit, but it’s okay,” she said. “My mum encourages more sunscreen … but we’re all just young and like to be a bit ignorant.”
In contrast, 17-year-old Ruby Smith said she was more mindful of the dangers, frequently checking the UV index and reapplying sunscreen.
“I think it’s a trend right now, but people are going to regret it a lot when they’re older,” Ruby said.
The trend has sparked concern among experts, who have called on influencers to use their platforms to discourage unsafe tanning behaviours. Melanoma Institute Australia’s co-medical director, Georgina Long, emphasised the critical role influencers play in promoting sun safety to younger audiences.
‘Too much censorship’: Mark Zuckerberg announces Meta will end fact-checking on Facebook, Instagram
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has announced that the social media giant will end its fact-checking programme on Facebook and Instagram in a move to “restore free expression,” reports news.com.au’s Frank Chung.
Zuckerberg admitted that previous content moderation policies had “gone too far,” resulting in “too many mistakes and too much censorship.”
In a video released on Tuesday, Zuckerberg explained that Meta would replace its third-party fact-checkers — first introduced in 2016 following Donald Trump’s election — with crowdsourced “community notes,” similar to the system used on Elon Musk’s X.
“It’s time to return to our roots around free expression on Facebook and Instagram,” Zuckerberg stated.
He acknowledged ongoing debates around the potential harms of online content, adding, “Governments and legacy media have pushed for increased censorship, much of it politically motivated. But there are also genuinely harmful issues — drugs, terrorism, child exploitation.”
Zuckerberg emphasised that Meta takes these concerns “very seriously” and is committed to handling them responsibly.
How Jay Graber Is making sure Bluesky never turns into Elon Musk’s X
In February 2023, the social network Bluesky gained its first major celebrity user: dril, an absurdist Twitter persona hailed by The New Yorker as “one of America’s incisive ongoing works of social criticism,” reports Forbes’ Emily Baker-White and Richard Nieva.
Known for capturing the chaotic spirit of Twitter, dril found himself drawn to Bluesky amid dissatisfaction with Elon Musk’s X.
Speaking to Forbes, dril criticised X’s algorithm for amplifying “moronic political commentators and crypto scammers” while sidelining genuine connections.
He suggested Bluesky could thrive by positioning itself as a refuge from ad bots, AI content, and manipulative algorithms but warned of potential pitfalls if commercial interests take over.
Originally an open-source project at Twitter, Bluesky was spearheaded by Jay Graber, an advocate for an open internet. Its mission was to create the AT Protocol—a system allowing seamless communication and content sharing across social media platforms.
Though Bluesky has since evolved into an independent entity, its roots in decentralisation remain central to its appeal.
Eminent Australian journalist Ken Randall dies aged 88
Ken Randall, a former chief political correspondent for The Australian, has passed away at the age of 88, reports The Australian’s Jack Quail.
With a journalism career spanning six decades across newspapers, magazines, radio, and television, Randall leaves behind a legacy as one of Australia’s most influential journalists.
Born in Tasmania, Randall began his career with the ABC in Hobart before rising to prominence for his determined and distinguished reporting on federal politics. In 1964, he joined The Australian as its first defence and diplomatic correspondent.
Over the years, he held numerous senior roles at the publication, including features editor, associate editor, Melbourne bureau chief, and eventually, chief political correspondent.
Randall later brought his expertise to a global audience, working as an Australian correspondent for renowned international outlets such as the Financial Times, The Economist, and The Guardian.
This is why the world doesn’t like you’: Meghan Markle slammed over new show
Americans will “hate” Meghan Markle’s new show cooking “elevated” food with her A-list friends as they struggle, a royal expert has claimed,’ The Daily Telepgraph’sTiffany Bakker, reports.
Netflix released a trailer for With Love, Meghan in which the former actress will share her ideas on cooking, gardening, crafting, flower arranging and hosting.
Guests will include celebrated chef Alice Waters, actress Mindy Kaling and close friend Abigail Spencer, one of the Duchess’ former Suits co-stars.
Rising prices have been a key concern for Americans in recent years.
The majority of Americans feel worse off than they did four years ago, according to several polls, as the world remains in a cost of living crisis.
It comes as US political commentator Meghan McCain also bagged the Duchess, calling her “out of touch” over the show while “Americans can’t pay for groceries”.
“I was originally a Meghan Markle supporter, I thought she was cool, stylish and refreshing,” said McCain on social media.
