Media Roundup: Harry takes the stand, Free-to-air returns Bendigo, Washington Post court fight, SBS cost-cutting clash, and Snapchat weak ban link

Media

Harry takes the stand in emotional privacy battle

Prince 'just call me Harry' Harry has taken the stand in his privacy lawsuit against The Daily Mail, and, by all accounts, his appearance on the stand was fraught with tension.

According to the BBC's Jessica Rawnsley, Maia Davies, and Imogen James, Harry told the court the publisher had made the life of his wife, Meghan, "an absolute misery".

The prince, who was apparently close to tears on the stand, also said it was “beyond cruel” to publish an article revealing “confidential discussions” with his family, held after a photo of his dying mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, appeared in the Italian press.

Free-to-air TV returns to Bendigo

Free-to-air television services have returned to air across Victoria’s Bendigo region, restoring access to major commercial and national broadcasters after bushfires caused significant damage to shared transmission infrastructure earlier this month.

The restoration follows the installation of temporary transmission facilities at the Mount Alexander transmission site, which services all broadcasters in the region and was badly damaged by fire on 9 January.

Washington Post seeks court order over reporter raid

The Guardian's Jeremy Barr reports that The Washington Post is asking a federal court in Virginia to force the return of devices seized from reporter Hannah Natanson after her apartment was raided last week.

Natanson, who has reported on the Trump administration’s overhaul of government, had phones, laptops and a smartwatch taken during an investigation into a contractor accused of mishandling classified material.

The Post says holding the material “chills speech” and is urging the court to block its use and order its immediate return.

SBS Staff and Management at odds over cost-saving push

In today's edition of 'Things I Simply Wouldn't Do If I Were A Managing Director Of A Massive Broadcaster' - staff at the SBS have now been invited to suggest workforce cuts as part of a broader effort to balance the books.

In an email obtained by Crikey's Daanyal Saeed, managing director Jane Palfreyman told employees she wanted to be upfront about the broadcaster’s financial limits, linking any chance of a pay rise to finding new ways to reduce costs.

Belarusian Government targets Radio Operators

404 Media's Jason Koebler reports that Belarus has detained at least seven amateur radio operators, with three reportedly facing the death penalty, according to state media and human rights group Viasna.

Authorities claim the group was part of a wider network accused of espionage and treason, saying hundreds of radio devices were seized.

Observers say HAM radio’s resistance to censorship has long made it a target in authoritarian states.

Social Media

Snapchat emerges as weak spot in Teen Social Media Ban

The Sydney Morning Herald's Paul Smith reports that Snapchat is shaping up as the biggest headache for Australia’s under-16 social media ban, with parents and teens saying age limits are easy to get around and little has changed day to day.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says early data is encouraging, but warned the system will take time, with parents needing to help make it work.

The government claims 4.7 million accounts have been closed, though the total includes duplicates and inactive profiles.

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