In our column that takes you inside the world of media a journo at Nine suspended over a classic chase | Michael Rowland quits ABC news breakfast – but the national broadcaster keeps him and a host of stars on the payroll | Will viewers really boycott I’m A Celebrity if Raygun enters the jungle.
NINE JOURNO IN TROUBLE FOR CHASE GONE WRONG
Nine’s A Current Affair has built a reputation for chasing down dodgy builders, warring neighbours and alleged criminals.
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The ‘bounce’ is just part of the job for a reporter on the nightly current affairs program. That’s when a reporter chases down a person and shoves a microphone in their face, asking a barrage of questions.
So, what to make of reporter Seb Costello being investigated for chasing a male businessman into a female toilet? Costello and a cameraman have been stood down pending an internal investigation by Nine’s TV division.
The Herald Sun reports it comes after “Oak Capital executive Mo Ahmed sought an urgent interlocutory injunction before Justice Richard Attiwell on Thursday to stop Nine from airing the footage during the TV bounce at his Rialto offices on Monday”.
In the writ Ahmed claims Costello “physically shoved, pushed and tripped” him. Seb is the son of former Nine Chairman – and Federal Treasurer – Peter Costello.
In days gone by there would have been cheers in the office of the executive producer as staff sat around the monitor watching the raw footage – I know because I’ve been in those meetings.
A quick Google shows a litany of stories with titles like “Reporter’s ‘greatest chase’ to catch a man who fleeced millions”. It is ACA’s bread and butter.
*YOU CAN SEE EXAMPLES IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE
Considering the exchange would have been caught on at least two cameras (the main camera and a GoPro on top), executives at Nine would know if the claims by Ahmed are true. In fact, a Nine spokesperson told the AFR “we believe the legal claims have no basis”.
So why has Costello and the camera person been stood down? Is this a case of trying to be seen to do the right thing? Or is this bounce a little more complicated because Costello and his camo chased the male into a female toilet?
What would you do in that situation?
If Costello is sacked over this incident, then every reporter working on that show will think twice about taking part in the next bounce… and that’s going to leave ACA devoid of many stories.
‘FAKE QUITTING’ AT THE ABC
Big news this morning that ABC News Breakfast presenter Michael Rowland has quit. Rowland has been in the chair for 15 years and proven to be a popular host.
Making the announcement on air this morning Rowland told viewers “I love working on News Breakfast. Every morning is a buzz and it’s by far the best job I’ve had at the ABC”.
“But after 15 years of 3am starts my body is screaming ‘enough!’. The hours have finally caught up with me”.
*You can watch his announcement in the video player above
Completely fair enough, but Rowland isn’t leaving the national broadcaster completely. While his final show will be on December 13, Rowland will remain with the ABC taking on new projects from mid-2025.
He’s not the only person to ‘resign’ from the ABC only to be kept on in another capacity.
Leigh Sales quit 7.30 and now hosts Australian Story.
After leaving ABC News Breakfast earlier this year, Tony Armstrong returns on January 7 when he will host Eat The Invaders, a series exploring a radical culinary solution to the invasive plants and animals attacking Australia’s unique biodiversity.
You could call it a case of ‘fake’ quitting at the ABC… make a name for yourself, leave that job but know you’ll be looked after by the corporation. At a time when Kim Williams is calling for more funding for the ABC, it’s not a great look when high profile stars (as much as I like them all) are still on the payroll.
SHOCK EXIT FOR INDUSTRY VETERAN
The industry was shocked and perplexed last week when news came through James Manning had been ‘sacked’ from Mediaweek.
Manning had turned the former magazine into an industry bible and evolved it for the digital era ever since taking it over in 1999.
After selling the company Manning stayed on board and was on a rolling monthly freelance contract, that was until last week when he was told his editorial services would be no longer required.
According to UnMade “Manning announced to the handful of staff in the office at the time “I’ve been sacked”, gathered up his belongings, and left the office”.
The website goes on to say “Vinyl Group declined to comment on yesterday’s exit, but argues that he was not sacked”.
That smacks of the classic line from ABC Chair Kim Williams last week when he claimed popular Sydney radio presenter Sarah MacDonald had not been sacked.
“Her role has not been renewed. They are different conceptually,” he told the National Press Club.
Not really Mr Williams – both mean you no longer have a job.
WILL VIEWERS REALLY BOYCOTT A TV SHOW OVER RAYGUN?
Much has been made this week that viewers are threatening to boycott 10’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here if Raygun is cast.
You all know the embarrassment that is our breakdancing Olympic ‘athlete’.
10 dropped the latest clues for a “headline-grabbing Olympian” who “loves freestyle”. That has convinced fans of the show Rachael Gunn is entering the jungle, especially the question at the end “But will the jungle break them?”.
Boycotts are a funny thing in TV land – they never happen.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received complaints saying things like “I’m never going to watch your show again and neither are any of my friends”. While that might be true, the ratings never changed.
If you don’t like Raygun and don’t want to watch – that’s your choice. At the end of the day it’s all great publicity for 10.
INSIDE MEDIA is published every Monday and Thursday.
Rob McKnight is the co-owner of TV Blackbox.