Media Roundup: TEG's new CEO, Nine defends ad, 2DAY's 'fresh' revamp, OpenAI gets creative and Meghan's Netflix slump

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Nine defends running Palmer ad

Nine Entertainment has justified its decision to publish a $200,000 front-page ad from Clive Palmer's Trumpet of Patriots party in The Age, arguing that rejecting it could be seen as taking a political stance. The full-page ad, which declared "There are only two genders," ran alongside an editorial condemning Palmer as a "persistent wart on the foot of Australian politics."

As Amanda Meade writes in The Guardian, the editorial didn’t hold back, criticising Palmer's pledge to spend over $1 million on election advertising and accusing him of using his fortune to flood media channels with blunt political slogans. It also called the ad’s message "simplistic and hurtful to many."

Despite backlash from both staff and readers, Nine’s executive editor Luke McIlveen and managing director of publishing Tory Maguire defended the decision.

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Radio

2Day FM relaunches with a 'Fresh Music' promise

Sydney radio is getting a refresh. 1041 2Day FM has officially rebranded, introducing a new format that promises "the hits, before they hit."

The station is doubling down on new music, vowing to bring more fresh tracks than any other commercial station in Sydney, while spotlighting emerging Australian artists alongside global stars.

With a commitment to championing both local and international talent, the station’s playlist will feature artists including Troye Sivan, The Kid LAROI, Doechii, SZA, Dom Dolla, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Kita Alexander, Young Franco, and Sabrina Carpenter. This shift marks Sydney radio's biggest format change in over two decades.

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Legal

Former Seven producer avoids conviction in assault case

Former The Morning Show producer Jessica Bowditch will avoid a criminal record after assault charges against her were dismissed, provided she continues mental health treatment and complies with a two-year apprehended violence order (AVO).

As Max Mason writes in The Australian Financial Review, Bowditch, 38, was arrested last November following an alleged domestic dispute with her estranged husband, high-profile Barrenjoey banker Dyson Bowditch.

In court, deputy chief magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis agreed to dismiss the charges on the condition that Bowditch follows a mental health plan for the next 12 months, while the AVO issued against her remains in place for two years.

Tech

OpenAI teases new AI model built for creative writing