Media

My journalistic work in the Territory began early on Christmas Day 1974, looking down from the aircraft of Deputy Prime Minister Jim Cairns onto the Northern Territory capital that had been all but annihilated by Cyclone Tracy.

The Albanese Government says it intends to establish a news bargaining incentive to ensure big digital platforms such as Facebook contribute to the sustainability of news media in Australia. As a hyperlocal public interest publisher Yanchep News Online has had some issues in the past with Facebook (owned by Meta) especially during Covid-19 when its algorithm couldn’t seem to work out that information attributed to the WA Department of Health had in fact been provided to Yanchep News Online by the department.

Ben Kempster & Kristy Horne. This Christmas, the Two Cousins One Chat podcast is serving up something truly special—a festive episode featuring local culinary star Tim Bone! Tim, who grew up in Nhill and Adelaide and now calls Ballarat home, rose to fame on MasterChef Australia with his bold flavours and love for hearty cooking.

Civilised society has for centuries depended on the truth and accuracy of the written or spoken word, but we are now starting to face major challenges to this historical and accepted fact. The current rapid appearance on the computerised Web of more and more unprofessional social and political influencers is fast bringing with it the threat of mass brainwashing, poor grammar and the loss of essential truths and even words.

Australian rapper Briggs (Adam Briggs) posted a message to fans on Sunday evening, of a racial slur that occurred in Balranald ... On his social media platforms, Briggs posted a story, describing an incident that occurred at an unnamed motel in the town.

Australian Rural & Regional News believe that the standard of some media releases now is such that an added notice is called for on each to remind our readers that the release is the statement of the author given and that media releases vary in reliability and may contain a combination of fact, aspirational statements, opinion, political commentary and even error.

Ian Riley. Once again, I have been trying the patience of the friendly helpers at the museum … this time I’m in the printing exhibit. Assuming that you’ve picked up a hard copy of the TT [Tarrangower Times], just have a look at what is in front of you, a newspaper Duh! Ok, where is this heading? 

In the late 1990s, Dave ‘Rabbit’ Rabbetts was a household name throughout the MIA as the original breakfast radio host on Griffith’s edgy new youth station, FM99.7. More than two decades later, he has taken his show on the road, doing what he does best from a mobile podcasting studio dubbed The PodVan, delivering "a celebration of the lighter side of life".

After the Albanese Government recently announced a proposal to introduce new laws to prohibit youths aged 16 and under from accessing and using social media, citing the changes are aimed at mitigating the harm social media is inflicting on Australian children, the Clarence Valley Independent decided to conduct a street survey.

Sarah Herrmann. Two former Port Broughton residents are set to host a prestigious national radio show. The first is award-winning journalist Sally Sara, who will replace Patricia Karvelas as the host of ABC’s Radio National Breakfast next year. She will be joined by producer Joe Sullivan, also formerly of Port Broughton ...

Ian Riley. One of the best things about the museum, other than the exhibits, is the people you meet there. I have always been a history tragic, but on my last visit to the museum, I met Michelle Ross. Michelle has a YouTube channel with 9,000 followers and a website called Goldfields Guide ...

The Riverine Grazier walked away with five awards at the 2024 Country Press NSW Annual Conference and Awards Dinner in Dubbo last week. Our commemorative edition celebrating the 150th anniversary of The Riverine Grazier was judged Best Special Publication...

The Riverine Grazier has made a decision to not publish images of children under the age of 13 online, in a move aimed to protect local kids. At the invitation of the NSW Government and representing Country Press NSW, Grazier manager Krista Schade attended the Social Media Summit ... "The eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant spoke of the hazards of sharing images of children online, on open pages, which prompted Tertia and I to reconsider how our newspaper handles images of young children."

Volunteers at the Clarence Valley’s own community radio station, Loving Life FM103.1, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Community Broadcasting this week on Monday ... On September 23, 1974, the Whitlam Labor Government made a Cabinet decision to create a community broadcasting sector for “those who represent organisations that think they have something to say and want some better means of saying it…

Sarah Herrmann. Kadina's Charli Pearce was 10 years old when she started using social media. Now 18, she said while she somewhat regrets that decision, she also believes attempts to stop young people from using it will be fruitless.

Leaders from eleven community groups across Australia have shared their stories about the projects their communities embarked on in the depths of the drought that affected so much of Australia over the last decade. The stories can be heard on FRRR’s new Tackling Tough Times Together podcast.

Bob Tissott. And verily it came to pass that after a quarter of a century of non-stop broadcasting to the residents of the Nimbin Valley, the volunteer presenters at Nim-FM gathered together to celebrate the re-opening of their primary broadcast Studio, which had undergone a total refit from the floor up ... And so, lift your scones, jam and cream in a toast to Community Radio and the next 25 years at Nim-FM, Voice of the Alternative Nation.

In the first half of 2024, one-third of Australians accessed Facebook for news, a new study reveals. The finding contradicts Meta’s long-standing assertion that news content is a minor part of the Facebook experience for most Australian users ... CPA President and Warragul & Drouin Gazette publisher Andrew Schreyer said there were significant industry challenges ahead, and forecast potential closures of up to 50 member outlets as current agreements under the News Media Bargaining Code with Meta near their expiration.

Shane O’Shea. On July 29 this year, the “Buloke Times” commenced its 150th year of newspaper publication, continuing a tradition of recording local district news established by the founder of the “Donald Times”, the late Godfrey Morgan ... the newspaper has undergone many changes, both in name and production method, but has steadfastly adhered to the desire to keep its readers informed and to record the many events that impact their lives and have shaped the development of the region.

The Riverine Grazier team chose last week’s Hatfield Happenings event to announce a new digital masthead. The Back Country Bulletin will be available in September ... “Adding a new masthead to our company is one of the biggest expansions in the 151-year history of The Grazier,” manager Krista Schade said.