EPISODE · May 5, 2026 · 16 MIN
S01E39 - Why FaceBook shouldn't have to pay for news
from McKnight Tonight & Media McKnight
News bargaining incentive: social media vs AI | Screen Forever: Bluey IP, Stan, Channel 10 | Sarah Abo's maternity leave play | Channel 9 job cuts | All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane | Tony Jones: 40 years at Nine Rob McKnight brings his three decades of broadcasting experience to this week's Media McKnight, with a pointed take on the federal government's draft news bargaining incentive legislation — and why politicians are confusing social media promotion with AI theft. Plus, fresh insights from the Screen Forever conference on the Gold Coast, and the latest from inside the networks. The federal government has released draft legislation for the next stage of the news bargaining incentive, aimed at making big tech pay for journalism. But Rob draws a clear line the legislation doesn't: social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram aren't stealing journalism — they're driving traffic back to news sites for free. It's AI platforms like Google that are actually scraping and serving up content without sending users anywhere, and that's where the focus should be. Rob attended the Screen Forever conference on the Gold Coast, where ABC managing director Hugh Marks addressed the Bluey merchandising rights miss, Nine's Adrian Swift talked up new Stan IP including an OnlyFans series, and Ten/Paramount's Sarah Thornton made clear the network won't be taking big swings on untested formats. Rob also delivers a blunt verdict on the new Shark Island series. Sarah Abo has made a smart public move — declaring her intention to return to the Today show just three months after the birth of her baby boy, making it very difficult for Nine to push her out amid reports of a potential host refresh. Meanwhile, Nine has confirmed 20 redundancies in the first stage of its Future News overhaul, with automation coming to the Today show control room. Rob reviews indie film All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane — made for just $13,000 and starring newcomer Nell Lee and Home and Away's Dan Ewing — and offers his recommendation ahead of screenings in Brisbane (May 29–31), Sydney (June 18) and Melbourne (July 9). And a big congratulations to Nine Melbourne sports presenter Tony Jones, celebrating 40 years at the network — with an on-air moment as awkward and endearing as you'd expect. Federal government's draft news bargaining incentive legislation — and why Rob thinks it's got it wrong on social media Screen Forever Gold Coast: ABC, Nine/Stan, Ten/Paramount on IP, risk and the state of Australian TV Sarah Abo's maternity leave play — and why Nine can't easily move her on Channel 9 announces 20 redundancies in Future News overhaul; automation coming to Today Indie film All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane — Rob's review and upcoming screenings Tony Jones celebrates 40 years at Channel Nine 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. 📺 McKnight Tonight streams Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm AEST. #MediaMcKnight #AustralianMedia #NewsBargainingIncentive #ScreenForever #ChannelNine #SarahAbo #TodayShow #ABCaustralia #RobMcKnight #AustralianTelevisionSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
News bargaining incentive: social media vs AI | Screen Forever: Bluey IP, Stan, Channel 10 | Sarah Abo's maternity leave play | Channel 9 job cuts | All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane | Tony Jones: 40 years at Nine Rob McKnight brings his three decades of broadcasting experience to this week's Media McKnight, with a pointed take on the federal government's draft news bargaining incentive legislation — and why politicians are confusing social media promotion with AI theft. Plus, fresh insights from the Screen Forever conference on the Gold Coast, and the latest from inside the networks. The federal government has released draft legislation for the next stage of the news bargaining incentive, aimed at making big tech pay for journalism. But Rob draws a clear line the legislation doesn't: social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram aren't stealing journalism — they're driving traffic back to news sites for free. It's AI platforms like Google that are actually scraping and serving up content without sending users anywhere, and that's where the focus should be. Rob attended the Screen Forever conference on the Gold Coast, where ABC managing director Hugh Marks addressed the Bluey merchandising rights miss, Nine's Adrian Swift talked up new Stan IP including an OnlyFans series, and Ten/Paramount's Sarah Thornton made clear the network won't be taking big swings on untested formats. Rob also delivers a blunt verdict on the new Shark Island series. Sarah Abo has made a smart public move — declaring her intention to return to the Today show just three months after the birth of her baby boy, making it very difficult for Nine to push her out amid reports of a potential host refresh. Meanwhile, Nine has confirmed 20 redundancies in the first stage of its Future News overhaul, with automation coming to the Today show control room. Rob reviews indie film All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane — made for just $13,000 and starring newcomer Nell Lee and Home and Away's Dan Ewing — and offers his recommendation ahead of screenings in Brisbane (May 29–31), Sydney (June 18) and Melbourne (July 9). And a big congratulations to Nine Melbourne sports presenter Tony Jones, celebrating 40 years at the network — with an on-air moment as awkward and endearing as you'd expect. Federal government's draft news bargaining incentive legislation — and why Rob thinks it's got it wrong on social media Screen Forever Gold Coast: ABC, Nine/Stan, Ten/Paramount on IP, risk and the state of Australian TV Sarah Abo's maternity leave play — and why Nine can't easily move her on Channel 9 announces 20 redundancies in Future News overhaul; automation coming to Today Indie film All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane — Rob's review and upcoming screenings Tony Jones celebrates 40 years at Channel Nine 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. 📺 McKnight Tonight streams Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm AEST. #MediaMcKnight #AustralianMedia #NewsBargainingIncentive #ScreenForever #ChannelNine #SarahAbo #TodayShow #ABCaustralia #RobMcKnight #AustralianTelevisionSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S01E39 - Why FaceBook shouldn't have to pay for news
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