BREAKING: The ABC is under fire today as Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price accused the national broadcaster of “selective reporting” that portrays Indigenous Australians negatively. During a Senate Estimates hearing, ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks defended the organization’s integrity but revealed taxpayers funded $2.5 million to support its legal battle against journalist Antoinette Lattouf, who was awarded $220,000 in damages.
In a separate, urgent session, SBS officials confirmed their commitment to participate in the controversial 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. Acting Managing Director Jane Palfreyman stated that impartiality remains central to SBS’s mission, despite concerns over Israel’s involvement amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Meanwhile, in media finance news, billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik has injected an additional $1.1 billion AUD into DAZN, totaling over $13 billion AUD in investments. This surge in funding positions Foxtel to aggressively compete for NRL and Formula One rights, essential for maintaining its lead over rivals like Stan Sport.
In tech developments, OpenAI has secured its first government contract in Australia, valued at $50,000. This deal, awarded by the Treasury, marks a significant foothold for the AI giant in the region, having bypassed public competition due to its limited scope.
In corporate news, Elon Musk has reached a settlement with four former executives of Twitter, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal, over a disputed $128 million severance payout. The allegations included claims that Musk fabricated misconduct charges to avoid compensation.
Finally, broadcaster Hadley has hinted at a potential return to 2GB radio, contingent on his longtime friend John Singleton acquiring Nine’s talkback network. This development adds to speculation about Singleton’s interest in a takeover, a move that could shake up the radio landscape.
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