Past Media Watch hosts include Monica Attard, Stuart Littlemore, Jonathan Holmes, David Marr and Richard Ackland.

The show remains a consistent ratings winner for the ABC as part of the broadcaster’s strong Monday night run, which includes 7.30, Australian Story and Four Corners. On Monday this week, the total average national audience for Media Watch was 651,000. Its average audience so far this year is 657,000.

Barry first joined the ABC’s Four Corners in 1987, a year after moving from the UK. He later worked at the Nine and Seven networks, as well as The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sunday Telegraph.

In 2013, he replaced Jonathan Holmes as host of Media Watch for a second stint in the role.

Barry was Media Watch host in 2000 when then-ABC boss Jonathan Shier cancelled the show. It returned in 2002.