Business of Media
Julian Assange: More than 60 Australian MPs urge US to let WikiLeaks founder walk free
More than 60 Australian federal politicians have explicitly called on the US to drop the prosecution of Julian Assange, warning of “a sharp and sustained outcry in Australia” if the WikiLeaks founder is extradited, reports The Guardian’s Daniel Hurst.
With a small cross-party delegation due to fly to Washington next week, the Guardian can reveal that the lobbying trip has won the open support of 63 members of Australia’s House of Representatives and Senate.
In a letter, the 63 MPs and senators said they stood in support of the trip to the US and were “resolutely of the view that the prosecution and incarceration of the Australian citizen Julian Assange must end”.
Twitter chaos after Elon Musk takeover may have violated privacy order, DoJ alleges
Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter created a “chaotic environment” at the social media platform that may have violated a government order requiring an overhaul of its data security and privacy practices, according to a court filing, reports The Guardian’s Dan Milmo.
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) alleged in a legal filing on Tuesday that depositions from former employees at Twitter, now rebranded X, raised “serious questions” about whether the company was complying with an order imposed by the consumer and competition watchdog, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
“The information obtained revealed a chaotic environment at the company that raised serious questions about whether and how Musk and other leaders were ensuring X Corp’s compliance with the 2022 administrative order,” the filing said.
After layoffs, US largest newspaper chain hires Taylor Swift and Beyoncé reporters
Months after ordering layoffs that shrank local newsrooms, the US’ largest newspaper chain is hiring journalists to exclusively cover two people: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, reports the Washington Post’s Herb Scribner.
Gannett posted two unusual want ads this week – one for a multi-hyphenate writer, photographer and social media expert with “an undeniable thirst for all things Taylor Swift,” and another for a reporter to “tap into stories about the Beyhive,” a.k.a Beyoncé’s fans.
Both journalists will write remotely for Gannett’s flagship national paper, USA Today, as well as the Tennessean in Nashville, where Swift began her rise to superstardom. Their work may appear in around 200 local Gannett papers, and they will earn between $21.63 ($33AUD) and $50.87 an hour.
Radio
3AW could face penalties if it has breached the radio guidelines for not declaring Felgate’s deals
Nine Entertainment-owned station 3AW has to hand over more details to the media watchdog relating to embattled host Jacqui Felgate’s 12 lucrative commercial deals, which earn her more than $300,000 a year, reports The Australian’s Sophie Elsworth.
The media regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has confirmed Nine could face court proceedings and financial penalties if it is found to breach the industry guidelines for failing to declare these paid partnerships.
Felgate is a prolific user of social media and spruiks many brands and businesses in return for financial payments including across luxury cars, airline rewards, shopping centres, banks, travel, horse racing, AFL, supermarkets, dental, fashion, sporting bodies, alcohol, makeup and clothing.
Television
How Barry Crocker came to record ‘easy’ Neighbours theme
Legendary entertainer Barry Crocker has said that his work on the Neighbours theme song was ‘very easy’, reports 2GB’s John Stanley.
With Neighbours returning to our screens after a short ‘cancellation‘ John Stanley asked Barry, as part of their longer chat, about the story behind the programs original theme song.
The theme saw Crocker pick up royalties for seven years, despite not being a writer on the song.
[Listen to the Interview Here]
Lego Masters sex scandal accused Dave Holder denies wrongdoing
The man at the centre of a sex scandal on the set of Nine’s Lego Masters has denied harassing a junior female staff member by showing her a video of him simulating sex with a box of goon, saying the pair regularly engaged in “friendly banter” and she would readily share personal information with him about her romantic relationships, reports The Australian’s Ellie Dudley.
Associate producer Dave Holder, who is accused of sexually harassing Lego sorter Rebecca Smith, sleeping with employees on the show, and once asking a contestant out on a date, has denied any wrongdoing, and has instead accused Smith of lying about aspects of their “personal” relationship.
The Australian revealed last week that Smith is suing Holder and production company Endemol Shine, which also produces The Bachelor, Masterchef and Survivor, for $150,000, claiming she was denied a safe workplace, treated unfavourably because she was a woman, and constantly pestered by inappropriate questions from Holder.
Sports Media
Sydney FC adds advertising boss to board after Matildas audience boom
Sydney FC has added the head of one of Australia’s biggest social media agencies to its board as it tries to turn a massive groundswell of support for soccer following the FIFA Women’s World Cup into a new fan base, reports Nine Publishing’s Sam Buckingham-Jones.
Suzie Shaw, the local boss of global ad agency We Are Social, has joined the six-person board of the Sydney-based A-League soccer team.
“Sydney FC is a football club, but it’s also a business. Like any business, there’s a need to market it. That’s what they felt would be advantageous, and there is a great opportunity,” Shaw said.
Tina Turner Musical to headline entertainment at NRL Grand Final
The NRL is winding back the clock at this year’s grand final, with a fitting tribute to the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” – and rugby league – Tina Turner, reports News Corp’s Mikaela Wilkes.
Sydney will host the decider on October 1, with more than 80,000 fans expected to pack out Accor Stadium at Homebush.
And the NRL has now revealed the pre-match entertainment will feature the stars of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, to mark 30 years since the rock legend’s iconic performance at the 1993 grand final.
The tribute will take on extra significance after Turner’s passing in May this year at the age of 83.