Welcome back to INSIDE MEDIA where we bring you the scoop on media news, with plenty of views, every Monday and Thursday.
ABC RACISM REPORT
The ABC is bracing for bombshell revelations with the imminent release of a report into racism at the taxpayer-funded broadcaster.
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According to sources, Managing Director David Anderson has told close confidants the findings are devastating and could have major ramifications for the national broadcaster.
The review was initiated after former ABC host Stan Grant accused the broadcaster of “institutional failure”.
An unnamed journalist told the Sydney Morning Herald at the time: “For many Indigenous journalists, the racism, bias and prejudice we’ve faced inside the ABC has been far more damaging than any abuse we’ve received online.”
The racism report comes after a staff survey in June found almost 100 ABC staff claimed to have been sexually harassed at work, with a further 186 employees claiming to have been bullied.
ABC News Director Justin Stevens warned employees about their behaviour in an email sent to staff: “I expect us to hold each other to account about the values and standards we expect of each other. In the same way we hold other organisations to account for their culture, we must not hide from scrutinising our own, with a view to striving for a better workplace for all staff.”
But this is just one of many issues facing the ABC at the moment.
While the organisation is still coming to grips with the “doctored” audio scandal, there are now concerns over who is leading the “independent” investigation.
The Australian reports the decision to appoint former editorial chief Alan Sunderland to conduct the review “has been met with concern, amid fears that he is still seen as an “insider” at the media organisation.”
Sunderland worked at the ABC for 23 years and was editorial director from 2013 to 2019.
So much for independence.
NOT-SO-CURRENT AFFAIR
Since its first episode in 1971, A Current Affair has broadcast across the nation LIVE from the Channel 9 studios.
Well, it turns out the tradition of bringing viewers the very latest is now a thing of the past with news some episodes are now being pre-recorded a day earlier.
It seems the Saturday edition hosted by Deb Knight has been doing this for some time already. This week Knight admitted as much during an interview with The Daily Mail when she was asked whether she witnessed an alleged incident between 9NEWS presenter Georgie Gardner and a junior producer.
According to Knight: “We actually pre-record the Saturday A Current Affair program – so I wasn’t actually there that night.”
Sources have told INSIDE MEDIA there are also plans to pre-record the Friday edition as a cost saving measure. Nine has denied this.
To be honest, viewers wouldn’t notice the difference, but it would be a departure from the traditional idea of being able to respond to breaking news – LIVE.
Let’s hope the weekday editions stay LIVE.
AFL GRAND FINAL NEEDS TO MOVE TO NIGHT
Australians love a sporting spectacle and the AFL grand final certainly delivered that, despite the performance of the Swans.
The event had a total TV audience of more than four million people and is now the number 1 program of 2024.
Viewing was up 44 per cent on 7Plus with 655,000 streaming the action. I had guessed 688,000 in a Channel 7 internal competition. Still waiting to find out if I won.
What I don’t understand is why the grand final isn’t a night event like the NRL.
Imagine how much better Katy Perry’s performance would have been with proper stage lighting and effects like those seen at the Superbowl. You can only do that at night.
To me, there’s something prestige about a night fixture – it feels bigger.
I understand I am going against the grain with those who believe the grand final should keep the tradition of a day fixture, but there are a lot of benefits including bigger ratings and bigger ratings leads to increased profits and increased exposure for the game.
Something for the traditionalists to consider.
UNSTOPPABLE… AND UNFLAPPABLE
7NEWS is currently using the slogan ‘Unstoppable’ and that certainly applies to Perth reporter Geof Parry.
Parry found himself in a scuffle with building boss Ronnie Michel-Elhaj.
As Parry approached to ask a few questions, Michel-Elhaj ripped the microphone out of Parry’s hand and knocked the camera around.
The two men ended up wrestling on the ground with Parry trying to calm the situation, saying “Come on mate”.
The 7NEWS crew were on public property, despite claims by Michel-Elhaj they were trespassing.
You can watch the video in the player above.
Throughout the ordeal Parry proved to be unstoppable… and unflappable.
Parry is an old school journo who delivers exclusives and isn’t afraid to put his body on the line.
Back in February he had exclusive vision of the arrest of Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders and he has also recently reported from Ukraine.
They don’t make ‘em like this any more.
INSIDE MEDIA will be back on Thursday.
Rob McKnight is the co-owner of TV Blackbox.
