Business of Media
Google warns of ‘devastating’ impact if court ruling on defamatory hyperlinks not overturned
Google has warned of a “devastating” impact on the internet if a court ruling that the search giant is liable for defamatory material contained in hyperlinked pages is not overturned, reports Guardian Australia’s Paul Karp.
Google warned in a submission to the high court it will be forced to “censor” its search results if a $40,000 defamation damages award to George Defteros, a solicitor who represented Melbourne gangland figures, is allowed to stand.
Defteros successfully sued Google, arguing its publication of search results that included a 2004 article in the Age about his arrest on conspiracy to murder charges – which were later dropped – defamed him.
Streaming services edge out commercial free-to-air TV for first time
Australians’ consumption of online subscription services such as Netflix and Binge surpassed that of linear commercial free-to-air television for the first ever time in 2021, marking a seismic shift in established viewing trends that will likely provoke further disruption to media policy, reports News Corp’s James Madden.
The second annual media content consumption survey, commissioned by the federal Department of Communications and conducted by the Social Research Centre, found that 62 per cent of Australian adults reported watching screen content on an online subscription service in 2021 (up from 60 per cent in 2020), while 58 per cent said they viewed linear commercial free-to-air television at some point in 2021 (down from 61 per cent in the previous year).
It is the first time a survey of this magnitude has found that more Australians watch online subscription services than linear commercial free-to-air television.
SAS trial: Ben Roberts-Smith‘s defamation case in disarray after WA’s shock border change
Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial has been thrown into disarray after WA Premier Mark McGowan’s shock border announcement on the other side of the country, reports News Corp’s Perry Duffin.
The trial was being held in Sydney’s Federal Court but the first Delta outbreak halted the case in the middle of 2021.
Four of the newspaper’s six crucial SAS witnesses are based in WA, the court heard on Friday, and the border changes would affect their ability to return home if they travelled to Sydney.
Lawyers for Nine told Justice Anthony Besanko they were working to find a solution as quickly as possible and hoped to call the two non-WA-based witnesses on February 2. The lawyers are looking at whether the four WA witnesses can get travel exemptions under the new rules – and Nine may even apply to move the trial to Perth.
The court had considered moving to Adelaide to take advantage of South Australia’s soft border with WA. But Justice Besanko decided against that because it would have taken months to secure Adelaide’s court facilities for sensitive military evidence.
Facebook admits bungling broadcaster Erin Molan’s online abuse complaint
Social media giant Facebook admitted they lost the original complaint broadcaster and journalist Erin Molan made about vile comments posted about her on their site and they only took action after a complaint was lodged with police, reports News Corp’s Sophie Elsworth.
The Inquiry into Social Media and Online Safety on Thursday heard Meta, the company who owns Facebook and Instagram, failed to take swift action after Molan informed them of online threats she received including the rape of young daughter were sent to her.
Facebook’s director of policy Australia and New Zealand Mia Garlick told the hearing they could not locate details of the initial complaint made to them by Molan and it wasn’t until police were involved that they took action.
News Brands
TV show interview ‘not safe’ for Cleo Smith
Four-year-old kidnap victim Cleo Smith could be re-traumatised if interviewed on television about her ordeal, leading child psychologists have warned, after the Nine Network paid more than $2m for an interview with the family, reports News Corp’s Liam Mendes.
The possibility that the girl might be interviewed about her experience at the hands of her abductor, alleged to be Carnarvon resident Terence Darrell Kelly, has horrified child welfare experts and caused anger among Nine staff.
Steve Zolezzi, a practising psychologist of 40 years who specialises in a trauma-sensitive approach to psychological distress, said it was “not safe” to interview the girl.
Nine could air first Cleo Smith family interview within weeks
Nine Entertainment could air content from an almost $2 million deal with the family of Cleo Smith, the toddler who was allegedly kidnapped and later found by WA Police last year, in a matter of weeks on its 60 Minutes program, reports SMH‘s Nick Bonyhady.
But the broadcaster’s plan for a February exclusive followed by other content later rests on the outcome of a Monday court hearing, which will in part determine the timeline of the case and, by extension, the reporting on it.
Sources close to the agreement said Nine had been in discussions with the family since December last year via their representative, the talent agent Max Markson, who was seeking to do a deal with a media organisation to tell the family’s story.
A Nine spokeswoman said the family’s reasons for choosing Nine, which won out over rival broadcaster Seven, was a matter for the family. “But we were incredibly respectful and understanding in all our discussions with the family,” the spokeswoman said.
Publishers battle for newsprint stock amid supply delays
Newsprint supply issues are affecting media companies both domestically and internationally, with outlets battling to obtain ample stock, reports News Corp’s Sophie Elsworth.
Global supply chain problems have caused significant shipping delays of products across the world, pushing some newsprint deliveries out by weeks and in some cases months.
Domestic industry sources have told The Australian that newsprint and speciality paper supplies used for magazine publications are down, with some publishers having just one week’s supply readily accessible instead of typically having at least one month or more in reserve.
Radio
The Wiggles take out triple j’s Hottest 100
Legendary Australian band The Wiggles have topped triple j’s Hottest 100 for 2021 with their cover of Tame Impala’s Elephant. Anthony, Murray, Jeff, Emma, Simon and Lachy staved off challenges from Gang Of Youths, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Spacey Jane, and The Kid LAROI/Justin Bieber.
On the win, The Wiggles said: “When we were first approached to do Like A Version, we all fell in love with Elephant and knew we wanted to make a Wiggles version of the song. The whole group came together and it was a totally different experience to singing our usual songs like Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy! We’ve had so many people coming up to us telling us how much they love the song, and we’re so happy that it resonated with so many people, and can’t believe we made it into the top 10, let alone the top spot! It’s an incredible start to the year!”
ABC music’s head of music and events, Natalie Waller said: “I am so thrilled for The Wiggles. When we came up with the concept for this forthcoming record, none of us envisaged it kicking off with such a massive impact via the Like A Version cover of Elephant. It’s not often in this business that you get to be part of something so special. My heartfelt congratulations to The Wiggles – and thanks to Kevin Parker for an amazing song!”
The Wiggles’ take on Elephant first came to light following an appearance on triple j’s Like A Version. So popular was their interpretation that views of their version on YouTube more than doubled the rest of the top 10 Like A Version covers of 2021 combined,
The Wiggles are the first artist to ever top the countdown with a cover, and they are the first artist in 28 years to make their debut at the #1 spot. It’s also a rare instance where a cover has outranked the original.
Television
MasterChef set shut down amid Covid outbreak
Filming of the current season of MasterChef Australia has been rocked by a Covid-19 outbreak.
The hugely popular show, which is filming at present the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale, has seen several members of the large production contract the virus, reports News Corp’s Fiona Byrne.
The filming schedule has been suspended while the individuals recover.
It is understood some of those recovering from Covid-19 maybe contestants.
All members of the show’s cast and crew are fully vaccinated.