World Premiere: #This is Not Journalism - An urgent comedy about truth, news and alternative facts.

Conservative journalist, Brian Matthews is a star on Real Time News Network. A loud proud advocate for free speech and political incorrectness. He is a news-breaking, opinion-maker, friend of CEOs and Prime Ministers and then… Matthews is outed on social media as a sexual predator and the RTN team is thrown into a dark night of ethical chaos. 

Everyone knows social media is a sewer, full of trolls, bots, liars, right?... But as new allegations emerge in real time, the truth starts to collide with alternative facts, and some unedifying Christmas party photocopies. The deadline clock is ticking. Will RTN choose to protect their star, or try to win the ratings?

#TINJ is a powder keg 75-minute comedy drama written & directed by Ross Mueller for some of Newcastle's finest actors, including Philip McGrath & Mark Pegler. 

Mueller is the Artistic Director and founder of Australian Writers Theatre and has written extensively for legacy & online media. He covers politics, arts & sports as a freelance for News Corp and Crikey. His plays have been performed by Malthouse, Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, Griffin and Red Stitch Actors Theatre. In 2020 he was the winner of the Georgi Markov Award, BBC International Audio Drama Prize. He has been a resident writer at New York New Dramatists in New York City and the Royal Court Theatre in London.

"We are delighted to present #This is Not Journalism as part of our 2025 program," said Civic Theatre manager Leonie Wallace. "This is an exciting time for UpStage as we continue to bring fresh, new, and adapted works to our audiences, celebrating the creativity and vision of local artists." 

#This is Not Journalism is included in 2025 New Annual. 

Tickets available at Civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Media assets are available here.

Media enquiries and interview opportunities

Lyn Thurnham, lthurnham@thurnhamteece.com.au

Ph.  0418 490 989