The media microscope has been on the air for more than 30 years – an impressive three decades of demanding accountability from an industry that informs and shapes the health of our democracy. Except, of course, for that one time in 2001 when the ABC axed Media Watch and fired Paul Barry because he was journalism-ing too much and too well.
The dramatic move followed Barry’s interview with then-ABC chairperson Donald McDonald, in which McDonald bumbled and struggled to defend mass job cuts.
Thankfully, the program returned the following year with David Marr as host, again showcasing the program’s unique ability to put the boot into competitors while simultaneously giving itself the finger.
In 2007, a young, hungry Antoinette Lattouf joined the Media Watch team as a researcher. Then-host Monica Attard generously took me under her wing and became my mentor. The insights I gained working on the show never left me, and I witnessed first-hand how fellow journos were mortified to find out their stuff-ups would be featured on the next episode.
Thanks to Media Watch, I have an ironclad understanding of how to produce journalism that won’t make the show. I wouldn’t need to attend Credible Sources 101 training. I already know the drill. For example, Human Rights Watch is a credible source. WhatsApp, less so.
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Media Watch has its work cut out for it. In a world of misinformation, disinformation, rapidly developing AI, and well-oiled lobbying campaigns, truth-telling and challenging abuses of power have never been more crucial. It’s so vital, in fact, that I’m in favour of extending the show to a half-hour twice a week and even doing a BTN-style version for kids to watch in schools, given the decline in media literacy.
While Barry leaves an impressive legacy of bold truth-telling, he knows better than most that nobody is above reproach. He deserves criticism for his recent take on Laura Tingle after she was counselled by ABC management for daring to suggest Australia was a “racist country” while on a writer’s festival panel.
If Media Watch can’t shield a senior correspondent from the Murdoch hit squad for providing analysis rooted in well-documented evidence, journalism is in crisis. Facts don’t require impartiality or “bothsidesing”. Tingle wasn’t suggesting a Paleo smoothie-only diet will solve the housing crisis. She made an informed comment given Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s history of racist comments and backing divisive policies. Like that time Dutton said it was a mistake letting Lebanese refugees into Australia in the 1970s or that cute suggestion that we only bring white South African farmers to Australia.
But back to the poll results.
The very sober and hinged community on X elected me as Barry’s successor. I received 45 per cent of the vote, with teenager Puglisi coming in second. So, dear Aunty, let’s put the sacking behind us. I’ll gladly accept reinstatement as the new host of Media Watch.
Oh, and I still have my old security pass that could easily be reactivated.
Antoinette Lattouf is a broadcaster, columnist and author. She is co-host of The Briefing podcast and co-founder of Media Diversity Australia. She is not the host of Media Watch — yet.