Rugby league legend Mark Geyer has signed a three-year deal with 2GB following his departure from Triple M after 17 years, Geyer revealed in an Instagram post.  Starting in 2025, Geyer will co-host the new daily Drive program, Sydney Now, with Clinton Maynard. He will also appear weekly on The Continuous Call Team and Wide World of Sports. Geyer expressed excitement about joining 2GB, saying, "I’m pumped to be joining the team... It’s humbling to be part of such an established station." He had hinted at interest from other media outlets mentioning multiple opportunities he had received. 2GB’s content manager, Luke Davis, welcomed Geyer to the station praising his experience and insights, particularly in NRL coverage. Geyer will join returning members of the Continuous Call Team for the 2025 season including Paul Gallen, Darryl ‘The Big Marn’ Brohman, Mark ‘Piggy’ Riddell, Josh Morris, and host Mark Levy.  

Australian Community Media has announced another round of redundancies affecting its print production team, Mediaweek reported. Up to nine roles, about a third of the team, are set to be cut.  This follows the loss of 35 newsroom jobs three months ago. Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) confirmed the layoffs, expressing concerns about the future of regional journalism and the ongoing restructuring at ACM. There are fears that ACM may consider artificial intelligence replacing experienced journalists. The MEAA has called for urgent discussions with ACM about the implications of AI, warning that such moves could harm news quality and community trust. “AI is unregulated in Australia, and replacing journalists with AI tools would disregard public demand for stronger regulations,” said MEAA acting CEO Adam Portelli. These redundancies follow recent cuts including the halting of printing for eight newspapers and the closure of regional titles like the Moree Champion a

Joe Aston will return to The Australian Financial Review as a monthly columnist while launching his new publishing and podcasting venture Rampart on February 1, the publication reported.  Aston, who led the AFR’s Rear Window column for 12 years before stepping down in October 2023, said the move offers a balance of creative independence and connection to the publication, which he calls "the best newspaper in the country." The announcement follows the release of his debut book, The Chairman's Lounge, which examines Qantas' decline and ignited a political controversy involving the prime minister. Aston plans to deliver “the best analysis on Australian business and finance” through Rampart. AFR editor-in-chief James Chessell and Financial Review editor Cosima Marriner praised Aston’s return, highlighting the publication’s ability to maintain strong relationships with key contributors. Aston's new agreement includes a revenue-sharing model and legal backing for his content.

Sandy Plunkett has moved her Realpolitech column from InnovationAus.com to Substack in order to seek greater editorial freedom.  “The publisher [of InnovationAus] and I had different priorities over editorial focus and direction,” Plunkett told Influencing. “As I launch Realpolitech on Substack, I intend to look further at why Australia's C-suites and business classes aren’t able to do the deep dive into technology and the speed and ambition that it can be leveraged at.” Plunkett said she wants to “try and zoom in on the tech industry, how it works, the flows and blocks of it, but also zoom out into the global and geopolitical scene, hence the name Realpolitech.”  According to Plunkett, the idea for Realpolitech “Is to take something really timely and put my spin on it for both Australian readers and global readers, but it's also acknowledging things that just aren't covered at all or the way we address specific problems.”  Columns will be published twice to

View from the Press Rooms Donald Trump’s return as the 47th President of the United States has sent ripples across global politics, as reported by The Hindu. His swearing-in ceremony, a $200 million spectacle heavily sponsored by TikTok and Meta, marked a strategic re-entry into domestic and global discourse. Bhavika Rathore from Hindustan Times highlighted the stark contrast between Biden’s low-key demeanour versus Trump’s theatrical pomp. From inviting foreign leaders—conspicuously excluding the UK, Germany and France—to announce his plan to sign 200 executive orders on day one of taking office, as opposed to 160 that Biden signed during his four-year tenure. Trump’s bold moves have reignited the "America First" narrative while the rest of us could be looking at a new world disorder. Through the Digital Lens Surabhi Agarwal for the Economic Times detailed TikTok’s strategic sponsorship, signalling a thaw in US-China tech relations. Trump’s lifting of the app�

The Public Interest Journalism Initiative (PIJI) has announced Alex Cramb as its new CEO, as the organisation continues its mission to sustain public interest journalism amid industry challenges, a media release from the organisation revealed. Cramb, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in politics and communications, has served as a senior press secretary for both the NSW and Federal Government, including roles with the Australian Labor Party and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.  He also spent over a decade at GRACosway advising clients across sectors such as defence, infrastructure, and transport. Taking on the role at a pivotal time, Cramb highlighted the crucial role public interest journalism plays in democracy. "I look forward to advocating for its long-term viability and impact," he said. PIJI chair Professor Allan Fels AO commended Cramb’s diverse background and noted his expertise in politics, advocacy, corporate communications, and journalism.  The org

Jessica Bailey has been appointed editor of ELLE Australia, starting February 10, according to a Mediaweek report.  A seasoned fashion and lifestyle journalist, Bailey will lead the brand’s content and growth, focusing on Gen Z and young millennial women. Bailey brings over a decade of editorial experience, including a successful tenure as editorial director of Grazia Australia, where she shaped the publication’s voice and editorial strategy.  Reflecting on her career, Bailey shared her excitement about returning to ELLE, where she began her journey 16 years ago. “It feels incredibly special to lead ELLE Australia into its 80th anniversary year,” she said. ELLE is a global fashion leader, with 50 editions and a significant digital presence, including 37 million social media followers and 70 million monthly visitors.  ELLE reaches over 1.5 million women in Australia through its digital platforms, with TikTok driving recent growth. Nicky Briger, Are Media’s general m