Media Watch – Season 2025
Episodes
Episode 1
Media Watch returns with new host Linton Besser. This week: A media storm over big asylum seeker figures, but did anyone check the numbers? Nine ditches Darwin news; plus Planet America has a podcast - or does it?
Episode 2
Trump 2.0 media circus; ABC's 'Antoinette issue'; Nine's beach house porkies. Presented by Linton Besser.
Episode 3
Sam Newman's nazi boost; Daily Tele's stunt backfires; Seven's horoscope horror. Presented by Linton Besser.
Episode 4
'Jack The Ripper' revelations come back from the dead and the media keep forgetting. Seven puffs up golden boy Basil Zempilas in the WA elections. Plus Murdoch family infighting casts doubt over the company's future.
Episode 5
Marty Sheargold's jibe at the Matildas proves the final straw for Triple M bosses. A foreign interference scoop proves a dud. Plus Sky's Steve Price attempts his own Media Watch-style investigation.
Episode 6
Commercial TV networks go all in on Cyclone Alfred coverage, Labor scores a win with misreported housing numbers, plus Trump takes control of the White House press pack - giving supportive outlets new prominence.
Episode 7
The explosive laden caravan turns out to be a con job. Clive Palmer tries to provoke outrage and succeeds at The Age. Political commentator and one-time Liberal Party candidate depicted as an average punter on news website.
Episode 8
Claims by The Australian that Yallourn coal plant will have its life extended come under scrutiny. Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest's fight against Meta over scam ads. AI shopping ads give surprise fashion advice on Seven's website.
Episode 9
Labor invites social media influencers into budget lockup, Star journo Nick McKenzie caught on secret recording, plus There's a bear in there: an un-bear-lievable tale from The Australian.
Episode 10
Miracle sports water: Seven gives oxygenated water too much oxygen. Travel insurance tales: 1Cover's warm embrace by news outlets. Plus radio rebels rebuked: Another ACMA gong for Kyle and Jackie O.
Episode 11
Billionaire gives back: Adrian Portelli's cash splash whips shoppers and the news media into a frenzy. Plus reins of power - racing industry criticism curiously goes missing.
Episode 12
Poll position: A shock SMS poll result boots a Labor heavyweight, but raises questions. Plus an old-school comedian reaches out to an old acquaintance - ABC Chair Kim Williams - for help scoring interviews.
Episode 13
Election surprise: Labor's landslide win - why some media failed to sway voters. SBS's new family DNA show, with a big-pocketed partner backing it. Plus a touching greyhound racing story in the Herald Sun shows the tail wags the dog.
Episode 14
Holy smoke: How the election of a new Pope caught some in the media off guard. Nine's travel lift out showcases a new destination a little too far off the beaten track. Plus WA media gives the cold shoulder to its new NRL team.