CMT news

The Centre for Media Transition newsletter - The News Bargaining Incentive and Walkley walkouts | Issue 6/2026

Derek Wilding sifts through the proposed News Bargaining Incentive legislation to identify major issues

Monica Attard explains some of the tensions behind-the-scenes at the Walkley Awards.

Julie Eisenberg details how funds raised through the proposed News Bargaining Incentive might be distributed to benefit Australian News Media.

Michael looks to Hungary, where Viktor Orbán lost power after 16 years, in one of the first elections since Meta and Google pulled political advertising from their platforms in Europe.

In the CMT newsletter (Issue 5/2026), we explore three topics: media coverage of the Ben Roberts-Smith case; Hungary’s recent election—one of the first since Meta and Google withdrew political advertising; and the importance of community radio in light of 2SER’s funding challenge.

Here in Sydney, Monica looks at the announcement by university-run (including UTS) community radio station 2SER that it may have to cease operations.

Sacha Molitorisz reflects on the news investigations that led to the arrest of former SAS soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, on charges of committing war crimes.

In our latest podcast, DoubleTake, Angela Flannery, Julie Eisenberg and Derek Wilding discuss whether Australia’s proposed News Bargaining Incentive will have the desired effect of supporting public interest journalism in Australia.

Acclaimed international journalist, Peter Charley 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. 

Derek discusses 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.

Centre for Media Transition newsletter - ABC breach, AI inventions, ending industry rules | Issue 4/2026

Monica looks at ACMA’s latest investigation report about a Four Corners program "Water Grab".

Centre for Media Transition newsletter - Rules, risk and responsibility | Issue 3/2026 From ACMA’s powers and the challenge of regulating repeat misconduct (yes, KIIS), to what new eSafety data reveals about children using AI companions — it’s a packed edition.

Derek Wilding examines the latest developments in Kyle Sandilands’ dispute with KIIS FM, ACMA’s powers, and the challenges of regulating repeat misconduct

Alena Radina explores what the latest eSafety findings tell us about children’s use of AI companions' uptake among children, the risks they pose, and the emerging regulatory responses in the UK and Australia

Sacha Molitorisz shares some reflections from the recent public lecture and symposium celebrating UTS Professor David Lindsay’s contributions to copyright, privacy, cyberlaw, and digital regulation in Australia

Centre for Media Transition newsletter | Defending, verifying and bundling news - Issue 2/2026

Derek Wilding explores the complications surrounding the latest adjudication from the Australian Press Council and the deluge of commentary from The Australian opposing it.

Florencia Melgar – Editorial Standards Manager at SBS – reminds us of the importance of verification, not just to counter disinformation, but also to raise standards. She describes the developing trend for balance to replace accuracy, “as if unverified claims were factual counterpoints”

Monica Attard examines the alarming emergence of news as a loss leader at The New York Times.  

Centre for Media Transition newsletter - News funding, X fines and Kim Williams on AI | Issue 1/2026

In this month’s episode of Double Take, we bring you a keynote address from ABC Chair Kim Williams who opened our industry event last year on AI and Journalism.

Sacha Molitorisz previews the second Jill McKeough lecture from UTS Law Professor, David Lindsay which will examine the policy impasse on copyright law and policy, resulting from the advent of generative AI; how we can balance Generative AI and human creativity?

Derek Wilding gives us a glimpse into CMT’s latest report, that focusses on the ‘back-end’ of direct news funding interventions.

Michael Davis discusses a European Commission decision to fine X for violating the Digital Services Act in December 2025.

CMT Researcher Julie Eisenberg explores how public interest news is recognised in government policies both in Australia and globally.

The Year in Media Transition is back and on Double Take! Sacha Molitorisz speaks with Joe Hildebrand and Sashka Koloff on declining trust, hallucinations and sex robots.

Kieran Lindsay explores the second High Court challenge against the teen social media ban.

Sacha Molitorisz presents CMT's 2025 showreel

Monica Attard unpacks the latest BBC turmoil and what it signals for the ABC as public broadcasting becomes a proxy battlefield.

Dr Alena Radina looks at new claims about Russia “grooming” AI models.