In our column that takes you inside the world of media, we explain why Elon Musk But why are nine executives sacked after Christmas party over their comments about journalism? 7NEWS will face major changes in 2025
*A video version of this column is available in the player above
Know news from 7NEWS app: Download today
Is social media the future of journalism?
There are many people on social media who like to trash ‘old’ media and declare “I don’t watch TV news, don’t read news websites, I get everything from social media”.
It’s a story many are trying to pursue, including X boss Elon Musk.
In the early hours of November 6, after Donald Trump won the election, Musk posted a simple message To his 207 million followers: “You are now the media.”
The problem with that statement is that if traditional/mainstream media disappears overnight, where will the stories for conversation on social media come from? Some people may not watch the news or read newspapers, but stories from those outlets are posted and discussed everywhere. While social media is a great tool for posting breaking news (usually by journalists working for media outlets), it cannot replace the scrutiny of the journalists who actually break stories.
In November, Axios CEO Jim VandeHei objected to Musk’s story while he was being honored with the National Press Club’s fourth estate award.
“I hate this debate, like, ‘Oh, we don’t need the media,'” VandeHei told the angry crowd. Reported by Fox News,
“Elon Musk sits on Twitter every day or today and says, ‘We are the media!’ You are the media!’ My message to Elon Musk is: ‘You are not the media,'” he said to applause.
“You having a blue checkmark, a Twitter handle, and 300 words of wit doesn’t make you a reporter, but I can look at your head and see that you have a brain and tell you that I have the tools. Makes me a great neurosurgeon, right? Like, what we do, what journalists do in Mississippi, what Al Jazeera does in the Middle East,” he said in the room. other awards Said referring to the winners.
Maybe I’m out of touch but I completely agree with him. I love social media and I get a lot of news from social media, but the idea that it is a replacement for quality journalism is ridiculous in my view.
Difficulties increased due to the dismissal of another leader at nine o’clock
There were rumors that something was going wrong at Nine today and those rumors have proven true as the Daily Mail reports that David ‘Sluggo’ Richardson has been sacked.
After a long career as a journalist, Richardson was running Nine’s Darwin newsroom, notably for Today Tonight.
according to the storyRichardson was dropped by the network on Monday after Nine received a formal complaint following the Christmas party.
Sluggo is an eccentric and very likable man but times have changed. It’s an interesting time in the industry in a changing world.
Nine declined to comment.
Big change in news at seven o’clock
This week 7NEWS staff were invited to a town hall meeting to listen to senior leaders and ask questions. Inside Media was on hand when Head of News Anthony De Ceglie shared some of his plans for 2025.
Expect major changes to the 4 p.m. news and new afternoon news bulletins next year. De Ceglie says he sees an opportunity in these timeslots to try out our different ideas and formats.
I hear that various format options are currently being considered with the inclusion of more discussion about the topics of the day.
That style of show can work very well with daytime audiences.
Meanwhile the subject of a nightly show was discussed (which made me extremely happy). Although nothing has been launched at this stage, it is clear that De Ceglie is keen to do something with news and chat. Alignment with Seven’s digital paper The Nightly would make sense, but don’t consider it a foregone conclusion.
Until then the latest will continue to be hosted from Perth.
Sunrise staff thrilled with new hosting
Seven announced today that David Voivode will replace Matt Doran as co-host of Weekend Sunrise.
Inside Media understands the news has hit home with the morning show’s staff who adore Voivode. In fact, cheers could be heard on Level 5 at Seven’s Sydney headquarters when Voivod arrived at the Sunrise office following the on-air announcement.
Voivod took on his new role with Monique Wright this weekend.
Congratulations David!
goodbye clive
Some sad news today with the passing of former Seven News host Clive Robertson. The national icon succumbed to cancer at the age of 78 and was previously married to A Country Practice star Penny Cooke.
From the mid-80s Clive headlined TV news with his unique style – and became a national ratings hit.
I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Clive on the radio a few years ago and it was a pleasure. He kept an eye on news and media and even contacted me to give some advice about the way we were formatting titles on TV Blackbox.
He was a bloody legend!
story of the week
The story of the week should be Anthony Albanese strange decision To play tennis the day after the Melbourne Synagogue bombing. The Prime Minister has been criticized a lot for his delay in declaring it a terrorist attack.
The photos were on every news website, but the best headlines had to go Night time who went along tennis elbowThe next day the same headline appeared in several publications. We can’t say for sure whether they were inspired by the ever-growing Seven Publications, but at least great minds think alike.
Inside Media is published every Monday and Thursday evening.
Rob McKnight is co-owner tv blackbox And you can contact him via email at rmcknight@seven.com.au
