From the AFP to ACMA via AI

In an international environment where the ground shifts every day, it’s also non-stop for Australia's media. Almost eight years after the Nine papers ran their extraordinary stories on Ben Roberts-Smith, the decorated former soldier is now in prison in Sydney facing charges for the war crime of murder. The success of the truth defences in Roberts-Smith’s defamation case was a huge win for publishers, but it was never certain whether the underlying issues would be addressed in a criminal trial. And it won’t be resolved soon, with journalist Nick McKenzie telling 7.30’s Sarah Ferguson on Tuesday, “We'll be talking about this in three to four years, I suspect.”

This followed the government’s decision last week to further regulate gambling ads in a way that will have serious financial repercussions for TV broadcasters, as the head of Free TV explained to ABC Radio National. It will also mean changes to the codes of practice. As I discuss below, this connects in an interesting way with the communications regulator’s renewed vigour in scrutinising industry codes, with a companion code in the telco sector the latest to be rejected by the ACMA.

Also on ACMA, this week Monica looks at the regulator’s latest investigation report about a Four Corners program. ACMA’s views vary significantly from those of the ABC’s internal ombudsman.

Finally, we have a fascinating and disturbing contribution from guest writer and acclaimed international journalist, Peter Charley, who tells us of the astounding contributions of AI to the launch of his latest book, The Truth Illusion: How America’s Addiction to Lies is Eating the Nation Alive. 

When you’re done with all that, you’ll find a plug from Alexia for the latest in our podcast series, Double Take. And one more promo ... CMT is helping out with a new segment on the 2SER breakfast program. It’s called Snackademics: Bite-sized Big Ideas. First on the list, next Monday, is Sacha Molitorisz talking to host Danny Chifley about action against Meta in the US.

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References: 

ABC TV 7.30 report on Ben Roberts-Smith: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/ben-roberts-smith-arrested-over-alleged-war-crimes/106539558  

PM’s announcement about new restrictions on gambling ads: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/strong-action-tackle-gambling-harms  

ABC RN segment on gambling ads: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/gambling-advertising/106535762  

ACMA investigation report on Four Corners: https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2026-03/four-corners-breaches-accuracy-impartiality-requirements  

Peter Charley book, The Truth Illusion: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783112219423/

2SER breakfast program: https://www.2ser.com/programs/2ser-breakfast