2+ week, 5+ day ago (624+ words) In an email to staff, under-siege ABC News boss Justin Stevens complained criticism of the string of editorial failures occurring on his watch were actually "opportunistic", and claimed that commercial media was only scrutinising the taxpayer funded journalism because his organisation was a "threat". In the email, reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr Stevens specifically took aim at revelations by Sky News presenter Chris Kenny that the ABC's Four Corners program had deceptively edited a clip of President Donald Trump in a manner resembling the infamous BBC doctored vision scandal. "(The ABC is) subjected to sustained and inaccurate campaigns that seek to chip away at the public's belief and trust in what we provide as a public service," Mr Stevens wrote." "Independent media represents a threat to commercial media and our journalism causes grief for powerful and vested interests....

2+ week, 4+ day ago (531+ words) The dominoes continue to fall amid sweeping job cuts at the Nine Network, with a veteran presenter leaving the broadcaster after a 16-year tenure. Newcastle news presenter Gavin Morris is the latest big-name talent to be shown the door by Channel Nine as the network continues to slash jobs as part of a massive round of redundancies. Morris - a 16-year veteran with Nine subsidiary NBN News - won't have his contract renewed, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Morris joined NBN News in 2009, serving as a weather presenter before going on to become the co-host of the nightly 6pm bulletin in 2022. The highly respected presenter quickly became one of the most recognisable faces in regional television after reading the news for audiences from Newcastle to northern New South Wales and the Gold Coast. Morris also regularly appeared on the Today Show reporting…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (771+ words) A senior Liberal Senator will still push for a Senate inquiry into the ABC, after ABC managing director Hugh Marks defended the network's journalism in his Press Club speech. A Liberal Senator will forge on with her push for a Senate inquiry into the national broadcaster, after the ABC's boss fronted the National Press Club. Mr Marks touted the ABC's role in contributing to Australia's success and cohesion, while promising the service takes "no editorial stand" due to its chartered commitment to impartiality." He said the network had the "privilegeand deep responsibility" of "owning the role of national storyteller in the public interest". However, he noted: "When we talk about journalistic impartiality,we'retalking about impartiality, not seeking full balance, where every idea no matter how weak is presented as equal"." "Journalistic task and skillisto select the stories that matter and…...

5+ day, 9+ hour ago (354+ words) Services Australia has been forced to clarify information relating to the Aged Pension, amid a series of fake posts being widely circulated online about changes to the payment." Services Australia has clarified that the Age Pension age is not increasing, amid rampant misinformation circulating on unofficial websites and social media saying that it is. The federal government department said the Age Pension age has not changed"and that it will remain at 67-years-old." It warned that Australians may have been sent information or seen information about bonus payments or changes to payment eligibility, which is false. "If there are changes to any of our payments or services, we'll let you know on our official website and official social media channels," the release warned. "You can also ask us on our social media channels."" Earlier this month, a number of fake…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (407+ words) Australia Post has introduced a huge change for when parcels are delivered in the lead up Black Friday and the busy festive season. Australia Post is set to deliver even more parcels in the lead up to Christmas, with a key delivery service being introduced to control the end-of-year rush. The country's largest parcel service will reintroduce temporary deliveries over the weekend up until Christmas, or depending on volumes. This is aimed to help maintain the large volume of packages over the festive season. The key change will come into effect this Saturday, with the service available in all metro capitals and select regional cities and towns across Australia. Australia Post aims to offer added flexibility while encouraging people to prepare to send their parcels in good time to ensure they arrive just in time for Christmas. Australia Post Executive…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago (622+ words) After a horror year at the ABC including scandals, lost legal battles and 67 corrections, the news boss responsible for editorial output has received a $110,000 pay rise. ABC news director Justin Stevens has been rewarded with a $110,000 pay rise despite multiple scandals gripping the public broadcaster and declining community satisfaction. The increase takes Mr Stevens" total salary to $667,900, raising questions of financial management at the broadcaster which continues to ask for an increase to its $1.3 billion budget. Before the almost 20 per cent increase in the news boss" salary, the ABC suffered a year of scandals including legal losses, more than 65 admissions of fault and a decline in key performance metrics. One prominent scandal from 2024 saw the ABC launch an investigation after it admitted to airing doctored footage of an Australian soldier firing six shots, instead of one, at unarmed civilians in…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (475+ words) The Albanese government has added a further two platforms to its under-16s social media ban, with Communications Minister Anika Wells hinting yet more could be added to Labor's "dynamic" list. The Albanese government has added Reddit and Kick to its under-16s social media ban, with Communications Minister Anika Wells hinting yet more platforms could be added to Labor's "dynamic" list. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and X - formerly Twitter - have already been included in the landmark ban after the eSafety Commissioner assessed they posed a risk to the health of children and teens. Reddit, a popular online forum, had been mentioned as one platform which could be considered, with eSafety having now determined the site met the key requirement of having its "sole or significant purpose" as enabling online social interaction. Kick, meanwhile, had not previously been flagged as a…...

1+ week, 5+ hour ago (485+ words) The Australian subsidiary of a Chinese renewables company has claimed a wind turbine component made with a deadly material is "low risk, as workplace regulators continue to investigate the imported parts." A Chinese-backed wind turbine company has claimed its inclusion of asbestos-riddled parts poses a "low threat" to workers after testing, as workplace regulators' investigations continue. Brake pads used in wind turbine tower lifts at the Cattle Hill wind farm in central Tasmania were found to contain white asbestos at the end of last week. WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork New South Wales have both coordinated to establish their worker safety response. " The turbines were imported by Goldwind Australia, a subsidiary of Chinese-owned Goldwind Science and Technology Co. Ltd, with the brake pads supplied by Chinese-based 3S Industry. " The importation of asbestos, or goods containing the deadly material, into Australia has been…...

3+ week, 4+ hour ago (653+ words) A senior Liberal Senator has demanded the law be changed to ensure the ABC can be held to account after a series of shocking editorial failures. A string of horror blunders has rocked the ABC including paying more than $400,000 in damages to retired SAS commando Heston Russell and issuing 75 corrections in the past 11 months. ABC head of news Justin Stevens, who has been responsible for the ABC's news coverage since 2022, has refused to respond to questions from Sky News. It comes after BBC director-general Tim Davie and chief executive of news Deborah Turness announced their resignations on Monday after revelations the broadcaster doctored footage of Donald Trump's January 6, 2021 speech before the Capitol Riots. The ABC has been plagued by its own doctored footage scandal after airing vision in 2022 of Mr Russell firing six shots, instead of one, at unarmed civilians…...

4+ day, 23+ hour ago (529+ words) Liberal Senator Claire Chandler has said "serious questions" need answering after parliamentarians were told to switch off their cell phones during a Chinese delegation visit to Parliament House. Liberal Senator Claire Chandler has sought clarification as to why parliamentarians were told to switch off their devices as a Chinese delegation visited Parliament House. Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji, visited the building on Monday amid his Australian tour. Parliament house staff and MPs were urged to take strict precautions during the visit, with the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) warning against using cell phones and other internet capable devices. Speaking to Sky News, Senator Chandler called on the department and other government agencies to explain why the security measure was taken. "I think there are some serious questions that need to be answered here,…...