The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) faced sharp criticism during a Senate Estimates hearing on October 24, 2023, as Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price accused the national broadcaster of “selective reporting” on Indigenous issues. ABC’s Managing Director Hugh Marks defended the organization’s editorial choices, affirming its commitment to balanced journalism. The hearing brought to light ABC’s financial troubles as it disclosed that taxpayers funded approximately $2.5 million in external costs related to a defamation case brought by journalist Antoinette Lattouf, resulting in a payout of $220,000.
SBS Commits to Eurovision Despite Controversy
During the same Senate session, the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) reiterated its intent to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, despite the ongoing tensions surrounding Israel’s involvement amid the Gaza conflict. Acting Managing Director Jane Palfreyman emphasized that impartiality is fundamental to the broadcaster’s mission. The decision has sparked debate about the role of media in covering contentious global events.
In a separate discussion, an opinion piece by Zoe Booth in the Australian Financial Review examined the implications of Paramount’s recent $150 million acquisition of Bari Weiss’s platform, The Free Press. Booth suggested this move reflects a growing public appetite for independent journalism that challenges mainstream narratives.
DAZN Boosts Foxtel’s Sports Streaming Efforts
In sports media, billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik has injected another $1.1 billion AUD into DAZN, raising his total investment to over $13 billion AUD. This funding is expected to bolster Foxtel’s efforts in securing rights for the National Rugby League (NRL) and Formula One, crucial for its Kayo streaming service as competition intensifies with Stan Sport. As detailed by Kevin Perry in TV Blackbox, this financial boost arrives at a pivotal moment for Foxtel as it navigates a highly competitive landscape.
In the realm of technology, OpenAI secured its first contract with the Australian government, signing a $50,000 “software as a service” agreement. This deal, noted by Cam Wilson in Crikey, was awarded without public competition, as it fell below the $80,000 threshold that would have required a tender process.
Legal issues also made headlines as Elon Musk reached a settlement with four former Twitter executives, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal. They had claimed $128 million in severance payments following Musk’s acquisition of the platform. The details of the settlement remain undisclosed, but accusations surfaced that Musk fabricated misconduct claims to evade payment.
In radio news, broadcaster Ray Hadley hinted at a potential return to 2GB, contingent upon the purchase of Nine Radio by his longtime associate, John Singleton. This development adds to speculation regarding Singleton’s interest in reviving the network, as reported by Steve Jackson in The Australian.
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