Latest news with #investigative
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Former Channel Seven star Denham Hitchcock breaks his silence as he confirms shock move to Network Ten
Channel Seven 's Denham Hitchcock has officially jumped ship to Network Ten, becoming the third high-profile journalist to exit the network in a major shake-up of Australia's media landscape. The veteran reporter confirmed the news on Monday on Instagram, revealing he would be joining Ten's soon-to-be-launched investigative unit – and that the move had a personal twist. 'Well here we go. I've switched channels. But also in a way – I've come full circle,' Hitchcock began. 'I grew up watching my father on Channel Ten News every night. I had a bunk bed with Eyewitness News stickers all over it – and can still sing the theme song.' He added: 'So I'm delighted to start work here today – joining the network to help with its plans for the future.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He also shared a throwback photo of his father, veteran Ten journalist Kevin Hitchcock, sporting a classic 1980s moustache and captioned it with some amusing words: 'Not sure I could pull one of those off – but there's still time.' The move comes just days after The Australian reported that Hitchcock, along with 7News Sydney's Bill Hogan and award-winning former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace, had all resigned from Seven to join Ten. The trio are believed to have signed on to front a new current affairs program backed by Ten's head of news, Martin White. Brace and Hitchcock left Seven's Sydney newsroom within hours of quitting and began work at Ten on Monday. Hogan is expected to start in three weeks. The departures fuel speculation that Ten is preparing to launch a prime-time news magazine show to take on Nine's 60 Minutes, Seven's Spotlight, and ABC's Four Corners. Industry sources say the new program will focus on long-form investigative stories and is currently assembling what's been described as a 'crack team' of reporters and producers. A Ten spokesperson confirmed the shake-up to Daily Mail Australia, saying: 'Following the continued growth and success of our news brand, 10 News, we are investing in an investigative unit that will work on long-form stories.' For Hitchcock, the move comes just three months after returning to Seven following a break from TV journalism to live on a catamaran with his wife Mari and their young children. He had originally helped launch Spotlight in 2019 and led the network's coverage of major crime and current affairs stories, including last year's Who Killed Marea? documentary on Sky News. Despite his short return to Seven, Hitchcock appears ready to dive back into serious reporting at Ten – and has called on viewers to help feed him stories. 'To everyone who keeps sending me stories to look into – keep them coming. I read every message,' he wrote. Ten's new current affairs program is expected to launch later this year. Hitchcock departs only three months after having returned to Seven after a couple of years off living on a catamaran with his young family. 'I'm back. It's time to wash some of the salt out - and get back to what I do best,' he wrote on social media.
News24
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News24
‘He knew he was greatly loved': Ex-News24 editor Andrew Trench dies at 54
Investigative journalist and editor Andrew Trench has died at the age of 54. He was recently diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer. He was remembered for his tenacity and dedication to journalism. Andrew Trench, remembered for his courage and dedication to uncovering the truth as an investigative journalist and editor, has died at the age of 54. Trench, who was recently diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer, was with his family at the time of his passing in hospital on Friday night. His wife, Gill, said he was peaceful in his last few hours. 'We were in a quiet private room at Vincent Pallotti Hospital, decorated by [our daughter] Gem, with knick-knacks from home, including a painting she did for Andrew and his Robben Island crossing medal. 'He knew we were there and that he was greatly loved.' Trench was a veteran in the media industry, who served as editor of News24, the Daily Dispatch, The Witness, and The Times. He also served as editorial director of Tiso Blackstar. He was the Media24 investigations editor for three years and later became News24's first editor-in-chief. Current News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson remembered Trench's invaluable contribution. 'Andrew played a pivotal role in setting up News24 for future success when he established a fully-fledged digital newsroom in 2015. People wanted to work with Andrew and he attracted some of the best journalistic talent to News24, many of whom are still on the title,' said Basson. 'I will remember his courage and tenacity as investigative journalist, editor and battling cancer in the last months of his life. Gill and Gemma are in our hearts and thoughts, and we will honour Andrew and his legacy appropriately.' Before visiting his doctor after complaining about feeling ill, Trench was an entrepreneur building his own business, enjoying fitness and health, looking to retire in 10 years. After being diagnosed, his medical costs were declined by his medical aid for a specific drug treatment as he didn't have the right product to activate coverage. He and Gill set up a BackaBuddy campaign to raise the R3.5 million he needed over two years of treatment in a worst-case scenario and were blown away by the support from loved ones and strangers alike. The latest total donated stood at R831 734. Through the Facebook campaign, called Andrew's Fighting Chance, individuals had also organised sports events locally and internationally to show support and raise further funds. Last month, Trench posted a photo of himself giving a thumbs up while receiving chemotherapy and the second round of his Keytruda treatment that was being funded by donations. Investigative journalist and author Jacques Pauw said Trench was a brilliant journalist and a dear friend. 'I had worked with him for several years and he was to a certain extent an 'old school' journalist who believed that you earn your stripes by never giving up, and to continue to dig until you have exposed the truth. 'And, when the job is done, you toast with a glass of chilled white wine. His passing is an immeasurable loss to the industry.' Journalism professor Anton Harber said: 'Andrew's dedication to his craft, and the changes it was going through, were exemplary. He didn't just move with the times, he led them.' Gill thanked everyone for their love and support, adding that there would be a memorial soon.
Globe and Mail
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail's Robert Fife to receive the Michener-Baxter Award for public service journalism
The Globe and Mail's Ottawa bureau chief, Robert Fife, is this year's recipient of the Michener-Baxter Award for exceptional service to Canadian public service journalism. Mr. Fife has covered Parliament Hill for nearly five decades, working in an array of newsrooms including The Canadian Press, the Sun Media chain, the National Post and CTV. He joined The Globe and Mail in 2016. Mr. Fife broke the SNC-Lavalin affair when he revealed allegations in 2019 that then-prime minister Justin Trudeau put pressure on his attorney-general, Jody Wilson-Raybould, to help SNC-Lavalin avoid criminal prosecution. More recently, his work has focused on allegations of foreign interference by China and other countries, including that China attempted to interfere with the 2021 federal election – coverage that pressed Ottawa to call a public inquiry. While at CTV, Mr. Fife broke the news that Nigel Wright, then the chief of staff to prime minister Stephen Harper, had given senator Mike Duffy a $90,000 personal cheque to repay questionable Senate expenses. The Michener-Baxter Award was established in 1983, though Mr. Fife is only the 10th journalist to receive it. 'Bob Fife's fearless tenacity has delivered countless moments of breakthrough journalism,' The Globe's editor-in-chief David Walmsley said. 'Bob's determination to prosecute brave independent journalism is an editor's dream and he inspires colleagues and competitors with his unusual mix of collegiality and tough-as-nails – but fair – approach.' Mr. Fife will receive the award during a ceremony at Rideau Hall on June 5, when Governor-General Mary Simon will also present the Michener Award for public service journalism. An announcement released Friday noted that Mr. Fife has used his career to 'shed light on issues and stories Canadians need to know' while acting as a mentor and a leader in newsrooms across the country. Mr. Fife is also the author of the books A Capital Scandal: Politics, Patronage and Payoff – Why Parliament Must Be Reformed and Kim Campbell: The Making of a Politician.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Court's nuanced analysis of Nick McKenzie's secret recording in Ben Roberts-Smith appeal a far cry from Sky News claims
When three judges dismissed Ben Roberts-Smith's appeal in his defamation case against Nine Newspapers last week, they made some insightful comments on journalism practices, in particular the delicate relationship between a reporter and a source. Dismissing Roberts-Smith's interlocutory application to reopen the appeal over a secret recording of the journalist Nick McKenzie and a source, the judges noted the 'very experienced investigative journalist' was 'accustomed to getting the most out of his sources'. It was a far cry from the way some media framed the recording two months earlier. 'Explosive confessions from star Nine reporter caught on secret tapes expose tricks against Ben Roberts-Smith war crimes trial', Sky News Australia said. The appeal judges said the 'unlawful' recording of a conversation between Australia's most celebrated journalist and a potential witness was part of a longer conversation and they could not be confident 'that the contents of the recording have not been doctored by removing sections or splicing together different parts of a recorded conversation'. They rejected an attack on McKenzie's credibility by Roberts-Smith's barrister Arthur Moses, saying they 'generally accept his evidence'. But it was their analysis of the nature of the conversation that demonstrated they understood the nuances of a journalist talking to a source. McKenzie was 'seeking to reassure an important potential witness' and had 'an incentive to exaggerate', they said. In the witness box the Age and Sydney Morning Herald journalist explained how in speaking to another source he gave an 'impression of excitement in order not to reveal that he already knew some of what he was being told', they said. 'This is a reason why the recording should be treated with caution in so far as it is relied on as an admission of wrongdoing or otherwise as evidence that Mr McKenzie really was receiving briefings on the appellant's 'legal strategy'.' McKenzie, who has won an incredible 16 Walkley awards, said it was a 'terrifying experience to be put before the full bench of the federal court'. But two days after the court published its reasons for rejecting a wider defamation appeal, McKenzie was back in print with an exclusive story about the ongoing investigation into war crimes. Next month Hachette Australia will release an updated edition of McKenzie's book Crossing the Line, including new material on the appeal and the emotional and professional toll of the case. SBS has leaned into its old reputation as the 'Sex Before Soccer' network with the release of a cheeky new campaign to celebrate its 50th birthday. With the tagline 'We Go There', the 60-second ad features a middle-aged man running naked through the SBS shows Alone, Insight, The Point and, of course, a football match (not that the network has the rights to many competitions these days). The film is 'so daring and so SBS, it can't be played anywhere but SBS', the network said. And that is exactly what happened this week when ABC's Gruen panellists analysed the ad. Although all the panellists praised its originality and ingenuity, the public broadcaster had to censor the full frontal nudity. Host Wil Anderson, who dubbed SBS 'Sweaty Ball Sack', said full frontal nudity was not allowed on Aunty. Editors put a sticker saying 'Too rude for the ABC' over the man's genitals as he ran across the pitch. David Crowe, the outgoing chief political correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, was farewelled at the National Press Club on Wednesday evening before heading off to London as Europe correspondent. Journalists and staffers particularly enjoyed two messages read out at the Canberra event: one from Labor minister Tanya Plibersek and one from the former prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull. Unsurprisingly, they both referred to Peter Dutton's infamous attack on 'Crowey', as he is affectionately known to all. In January 2024 the then opposition leader posted a tweet in response to news that Guardian Australia's then-political editor, Katharine Murphy, was joining Anthony Albanese's office. 'I am genuinely shocked to see Murpharoo take up a spot to now be officially running lines for Labor,' Dutton said on X. Sign up to Weekly Beast Amanda Meade's weekly diary on the latest in Australian media, free every Friday after newsletter promotion 'The real outrage is David Crowe missed out. What more must he do to prove his credentials to formally be employed by the Labor Party? #givecroweago.' The Canberra Times' political analyst Mark Kenny said it was 'not just churlish but clearly intimidatory'. Plibersek and Turnbull both said Crowe had the last laugh. His final column contained a critique of Dutton's disastrous media strategy. 'Thanks to the internet and the smartphone, the media is a landscape of earthquakes and eruptions – and Peter Dutton has shown everyone how to be engulfed in lava when you think you're at the top of the mountain,' he wrote. 'The former Liberal leader is a case study in what not to do.' Crowe has been replaced as chief political correspondent by Paul Sakkal, who was described internally by the executive editor of Nine's metro mastheads, Luke McIlveen, as 'one of the best news breakers in the gallery', which he joined in early 2023. Natassia Chrysanthos, who McIlveen said had a 'forensic eye for detail', has been appointed federal political correspondent. It's been a rapid rise for the two reporters, both 29, who began as trainees in 2018. Buried in the documents filed by Sky News Australia in defence of a defamation claim brought by the lawyer Adam Houda is a rare full disclosure of how many people watch The Bolt Report across all Sky platforms. Here is the rundown of Bolt's audience. For the 7pm broadcast on Foxtel on the night the allegedly defamatory comments were made (23 January 2024) there was an average audience of 57,000. For a rough comparison, Bolt is up against ABC News and Nine's A Current Affair in the 7pm time slot. Both free-to-air shows usually have up to 1 million viewers. On Sky News Regional, Bolt picked up another 43,900 and Sky News Now had 10,100 streams. On Foxtel's streaming platform the program had an average audience of 4,600 with 250 video-on-demand streams. On the Flash service there were 757 streams and an additional 48 on the Sky News website. The content was also published on Facebook and YouTube. After a complaint from Houda, the episode was removed from all platforms and an apology remains online, although it was not enough to stop the lawsuit. Sky News and Bolt are defending the defamation claim on the grounds of truth.
RNZ News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Top awards for RNZ journalists at 2025 Voyager Media Awards
Anusha Bradley (left) and Dana Johannsen. Photo: RNZ RNZ journalists have scooped up major accolades at this year's Voyager Media Awards. Investigative journalist Anusha Bradley has been awarded reporter of the year, and sports correspondent Dana Johannsen has been named sports journalist of the year. RNZ had 13 finalists in the awards, the results of which were announced on Friday. Judges Isabelle Oderberg and Phil Taylor said Bradley's three pieces stood out as exceptional - "both individually and as a body of work for their newsworthiness, the importance of the public interest journalism therein and her engaging writing and thorough research, which contributed to the colour and depth of the work". Fellow judges Ben Stanley and Bernadine Oliver-Kerby said Johannsen's portfolio shone the brightest. "Underscored by deep research, strong reporting principles, and a clear storytelling style, Johannsen sets the standard for all Kiwi sports journalists to follow." RNZ's crime correspondent Sam Sherwood also won the best specialist reporting award for his work at Stuff last year. The judges - Drew Ambrose, Sam Ackerman and Zac Fleming - said Sherwood's agenda setting journalism was "well written and had monumental impact". Meanwhile Lisa Taouma won an award for best current affairs (long) or documentary with Myths & Maidens made by Coconet TV and RNZ. Charlotte Whale and Drew Ambrose said it was "a wildly original and thought provoking documentary about female identity in Pasifika society". "The producers used creative devices and structured the story in a clever way to make the subject matter compelling. "With the western gaze of artists like Paul Gauguin and the historical representation of indigenous societies now facing closer scrutiny, this documentary is an important addition to that very important cultural reckoning." RNZ's Kate Newton and Hingyi Khong were chosen as finalists in the best innovation in digital storytelling category for Smoke Signals . RNZ and Tama & George Productions' Daniella Smith, Dane Giraud, Tim Watkin, Phil Vine, Liz Garton, Ben Pierce, Daniel Hurley, Rangi Powick, Lucas Giruad, Briana Juretich-Greig, Zhenya Nagornaya, Marika Khabazi were in the running for the best original podcast or series with Uncut Diamond . Mata with Mihingarangi Forbes was a finalist for Mother of missing Marokopa children speaks in the best scoop category, and Forbes herself was also a finalist for the Te Tohu Kairangi award. RNZ and Coconet TV's Tuki Laumea, Damon Fepulea'I, Lisa Taouma, and RNZ's Justin Gregory, James Nokise, Tim Watkin, Briana Juretich-Greig, Rangi Powick, Dexter Edwards were finalists for the Le Mana Pacific award for Untold Pacific History - Season 2 and The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior. RNZ itself was a finalist for the digital news provider of the year, and for the coverage of the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui in the best coverage of a major news event category. RNZ's investigative journalist Guyon Espiner was a finalist for the political journalist of the year, and executive editor of RNZ's In Depth John Hartevelt was also a finalist for the editorial leader of the year. The full results of the Voyager Media Awards can be found here . Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
