Media Bites
Former radio star Alan Jones fronts a media scrum after being charged with 24 offences, including indecent assault and sexual touching.
— Media Watch (@ABCmediawatch) November 21, 2024
Jones denies any misconduct.#MediaBites #MediaWatch pic.twitter.com/aczkDzgaqB
Final episode for 2024 (and Paul Barry’s final episode) will be Monday 1st December.
Tonight on #MediaWatch:
— Media Watch (@ABCmediawatch) November 25, 2024
📱 Banning social media for teens, where’s the debate?
☀️ Macca and Dick talk renewables, 186 complaints later …
📻 ABC backlash over Sarah Macdonald dumping.
📺 9.30 ABC TV + iview pic.twitter.com/P6crjfD9Vv
Note later than usual time of 9:35pm
Will be curious as to how he treats his final show; whether it’ll be an overarching theme of topics his time in the role.
At a stretch, can anyone recall how Paul Barry’s previous final episode was handled?
After 11 years in the high-profile role, Paul Barry will present Media Watch for one final time on Monday night marking the end of an era for the ABC program.
Barry first hosted Media Watch in 2000 before taking up the role permanently in 2013. In what has been a period of significant change in the media industry, he has held news makers to account with uncompromising scrutiny.
Presenting almost 500 Media Watch episodes in his career, Barry is the longest-serving host and first to surpass a decade in the chair. The program has been hosted by some of the country’s finest journalists since 1989, including Stuart Littlemore, Jonathan Holmes, Liz Jackson, David Marr, Richard Ackland, and Monica Attard.
Paul Barry: “It’s been a great privilege to present the show, especially after getting sacked first time around. I’ve lost the odd friendship and made a few new enemies, but I’ve tried my best to keep the bastards honest, and I hope I’ve earned some respect. Media Watch is an important program, but the feedback we get from viewers has made it the most rewarding job I’ve ever done. I owe a huge debt to the great team of people who have worked on it; to ABC MD David Anderson who has always had our back; and to my brilliant executive producer Tim Latham, without whom I would never have lasted this long.“
ABC Chief Content Officer Chris Oliver-Taylor: “Media Watch has a unique role in keeping the media industry accountable on behalf of the public. In the past 11 years, Paul has exemplified the long-held values of the program with his independent approach to every part of the media industry. His fearless analysis has both informed and entertained for the past decade and I’m sure many editors and journalists will be glad he has decided to pass on the baton. I would like to thank and congratulate Paul on his run as the ABC’s longest serving Media watch host and his remarkable service. And I extend that congratulations to his executive producer Tim Latham.”
Long-time Media Watch executive producer Tim Latham will also step down from his role after the last show for 2024 on Monday night after a decade at the helm.
Tim Latham: “Paul’s the bravest journalist I’ve worked with, to front up every week takes courage and determination. He‘s done a terrific job hosting the toughest of all media gigs and I think the audience appreciates that, even if they’re occasionally throwing peanuts at the screen. We’ve had a great run for a decade, there’s been plenty of fireworks but also lots of fun and public appreciation. The show is a team effort and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved but it wouldn’t exist without the ongoing support from ABC bosses, particularly David Anderson, who has allowed Media Watch to remain truly independent.”
Last week multi award-winning ABC investigative journalist Linton Besser was named as Barry’s successor to host Media Watch in 2025. Investigative reporter and Gold Walkley winner Mario Christodoulou will be the show’s new executive producer.
Here is a flashback to when Paul Barry was sacked, and the show was axed for a year.
Tonight on #MediaWatch:
— Media Watch (@ABCmediawatch) December 2, 2024
👋 Paul Barry’s last hoorah 👋
After eleven and half years in the Media Watch chair it’s time to say goodbye
📺 9.30 ABC TV + iview pic.twitter.com/KvYaBh8y66
Paul resented the final episode staniding. He mentioned that this Thursday’s Media Bites will be the last, not returning next year.
noooo, I love MB, such a great segment.
I wonder if we’ll get an overhaul next year.
Tut tut ABC, if a person is in the chair for the final time, are they really if they present the show standing.
Maybe a philosophical question.
