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Media Roundup: Cyclone coverage, Meta's mea culpa, AEC hits TikTok, Telstra's cost cutting, Retail's AI bid and TV crew robbed

See the top industry stories trending today.

By Natasha LeePublished Mar 7, 2025
6 min read
cyclone

Tech

Meta 'sorry' for Alfred search block

Meta's search function failed Australian users seeking updates on Cyclone Alfred, with the tech giant blaming a glitch for temporarily hiding critical news content. The issue has since been resolved, restoring access to real-time updates from media outlets.

As Paul Smith reports in The Australian Financial Review, users searching for cyclone-related news were instead met with a message stating the content was “temporarily hidden” due to community standards violations.

The incident revives debate over Meta's history of restricting news access in Australia, most notably its 2021 blackout during the Media Bargaining Code standoff.

AEC embraces TikTok as political influence trumps security concerns

After resisting TikTok’s push to join in 2023, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has now made its debut on the platform, recognising its power to shape public discourse. The move places the AEC alongside government agencies like Australia Post and the ABC in leveraging short-form video to reach voters ahead of the upcoming federal election.

As Sarah Ison writes in The Australian, with around nine million Australians on TikTok - nearly half the electoral roll - the platform’s reach is undeniable.

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While concerns over its Chinese ownership persist, the AEC's decision underscores TikTok’s growing dominance in political communication, making it a must-use tool for engagement.

Data shows AI anxiety rises among workers

Australian employees are feeling the strain of AI-driven workplace changes, yet business leaders are pushing full steam ahead, according to LinkedIn's latest research. The study found that while most workers are overwhelmed, demand is surging for those who can develop or deploy AI solutions.

As reported by Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson in The Sydney Morning Herald, unveiled at LinkedIn’s Talent Connect event in Sydney, the findings coincided with the company's launch of its first AI-powered recruitment assistant.

The platform's chief operating officer, Dan Shapero, emphasised that job skills are rapidly evolving, with AI expertise becoming a major advantage in the hiring market.

[Read more]

Business

Telstra offloads VC stake as cost-cutting drive accelerates

Telstra has exited the venture capital game, selling its majority stake in a $675 million fund at a steep discount. The telco offloaded its 62.5% share in what is now called Titanium Ventures for just $137 million - far below its estimated $422 million value - underscoring the financial pressures driving its $350 million cost-cutting plan.

As Jared Lynch writes in The Australian, while Telstra insists it turned a profit on book value, the sale highlights the volatile nature of venture investments.

The telco's latest accounts show it moved $166 million in gains to retained profits, but the lack of transparency around its original valuation raises questions about the true return.

[Read more]

Australia's richest women see record gains as tech and beauty boom

The wealth of Australia's 75 richest women soared 19% over the past year to a record-breaking $179 billion, thanks to a tech resurgence, strong mining profits, and booming beauty brands.

As Yolanda Redrup writes in The Australian Financial Review, The Financial Review Rich Women List crowned iron ore tycoon Gina Rinehart as the nation’s wealthiest woman once again, with a staggering $39.9 billion fortune.

This year’s rankings introduced 11 newcomers, highlighting the rise of female entrepreneurs making their mark in diverse industries.

SEN's Craig Hutchison set to take the reins at Racing & Sport Network

Craig Hutchison is poised to take control of Racing & Sport Network (RSN), securing broadcast rights to Victoria’s thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing. While Hutchison’s previous attempt to buy the station fell short in 2021, sources say this new deal isn’t a buyout but an operational takeover, giving his SEN business control over staffing, programming, and content.

As Calum Jaspan and Danny Russell report in The Age, for the racing industry, the agreement ensures RSN's survival without the financial strain of running the station.

Hutchison, in turn, stands to benefit from advertising and wagering revenue, positioning SEN as a dominant force in sports and racing media.

Television

Seven crew robbed on air in ironic crime report

In a bizarre case of life imitating news, a Seven News crew was robbed live on air while covering Adelaide’s crime surge. Reporter Hayden Nelson was delivering a segment for Sunrise in Rundle Mall when a passerby casually greeted the team - before making off with one of their lights.

As Bronte Coy reports on news.com.au, the theft went unnoticed until after the broadcast when Nelson checked the equipment and found the light stand intact, but the light missing.
"We were both scratching our heads about how a light can go missing," he later told 7News.

[Read more]

How TV programmers juggle the content explosion

With streaming platforms multiplying and linear TV still in the game, keeping up with content has become a high-stakes challenge for TV programmers. Late nights, endless pilot episodes, and constant competitor tracking have become essential to staying ahead.

David Knox from TV Tonight asked the experts how they keep up, manage their time, and ensure they’re making the right calls and learning that was once a dream job - getting paid to watch TV - has turned into a complex juggling act.

How TV networks are covering Cyclone Alfred's approach

As Tropical Cyclone Alfred barrels toward the coast, Australian TV networks are ramping up coverage to keep viewers informed. With landfall expected between late Friday and early Saturday, major broadcasters are rolling out extended news bulletins, live crosses, and expert analysis to track the storm’s progress and its potential impact on communities.

As Kyle Laidlaw writes in TVBlackbox, from Seven, Nine, and Ten to the ABC, networks are deploying reporters on the ground and meteorologists in-studio to provide real-time updates.

Special programming and extended segments will ensure audiences stay up to date on evacuation orders, emergency warnings, and local conditions.

Retail

The Iconic bets on AI to turn around sales slump

Online fashion giant The Iconic is leaning into artificial intelligence to sharpen its shopping experience and streamline costs as it fights to reverse years of sluggish sales and mounting losses. CEO Jere Calmes says the company is using AI to personalise recommendations and improve efficiency, a move aimed at winning over budget-conscious consumers in an increasingly competitive e-commerce landscape.

As Carrie LaFrenz writes in The Australian Financial Review, early signs suggest the strategy is gaining traction, with The Iconic posting a strong final quarter in 2024.

Merchandise sales, after factoring in returns, climbed 9% in the quarter, though the annual total still fell 3.3% to $845 million. Despite the expected full-year loss, the company sees AI as key to its future growth.

Ally Fashion collapses, shutting 51 stores overnight

Fast fashion retailer Ally Fashion has been ordered into liquidation, forcing the immediate closure of 51 stores and leaving 250 staff without jobs. The Australian-owned chain, founded in 2001, built its brand on affordable, trend-driven womenswear but has struggled amid rising costs and shifting consumer habits.

As Sarah Sharples writes on news.com.au, before its collapse, Ally Fashion operated 160 stores nationwide along with an online storefront.

The Federal Court appointed BDO Australia's Jeff Marsden and Duncan Clubb as liquidators on February 28, marking the latest casualty in Australia’s embattled retail sector.

Pictured: Image by AAP

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