News Corp wrestles underpayments headache as dollars dry up

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“If News Corp insists on laying off the majority of its workforce and working the remaining staff to the bone, they need to pay the price,” says Derrick.

News Corp’s layoffs don’t make the news as often as other companies that make large numbers of layoffs at once. When Nine laid off 200 staff in 2024, staff in its publishing division went on strike for five days.

News is known for its “death by a thousand cuts” approach, with staff heading out the door in a constant stream, meaning it can avoid headlines.

A spokesman for News Corp said: “We have contacted MEAA regarding their questions regarding additional editorial changes and have invited them to advise us of any claims of underpayment which they have not yet made.”

Underpayments and staffing problems are not limited to News Corp. In 2022, Nine repaid some staff after underpaying them over a six-year period. Seven is facing a current class action over underpayments, while ABC is also facing underpayment issues and is being challenged in the Federal Court over its use of fixed-term contracts.

Institutional divorce

Just got out of a family fight, Lachlan Murdoch now endured a corporate divorce with his most trusted aide and advisor, Siobhan McKenna.

Just a week ago I covered the turning point in Siobhan McKenna’s career in a profile. Have a nice weekend. Moving on from Foxtel, McKenna would focus on higher-profile discussions rather than the ins and outs of Sky News.

Last week, McKenna joined Murdoch’s inner circle at the annual gathering at Lachlan’s $150 million Beverley Hills mansion, Chartwell, in Los Angeles.

But on Thursday morning the global News Corp boss Robert Thomson He announced that McKenna was leaving the business, and shortly afterwards this imprint reported that there would be a full spin-off, with Murdoch also set to leave private investment vehicle Illyria and radio company Nova.

It’s an unexpected end to Murdoch and McKenna’s 20-year working relationship.

McKenna, who is only 53 years old, has many years left in corporate life. But in just a few months he gave up jobs at Foxtel, Sky News and Nova, leaving his only prominent position as chairman of Australia Post. Australia’s busiest executive now has plenty of time to write the second novel he’s been working on.

McKenna’s three-year tenure at Australia Post ends in December as he wants to focus on non-executive roles. He’s done a good job, including keeping it out of the headlines, and since he has a fan in the Prime Minister, the government is likely to give him an extension (if he wants it). In the Background It was said this week.

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Both Murdoch and McKenna have benefited from their relationship professionally over the past two decades. Murdoch could say he was a successful businessman and McKenna developed a reputation as one of the most powerful and connected executives in Australia.

There is no doubt that life outside the Murdoch ecosystem will float, not sink. Apart from those with whom he has clashed over the last few decades, there is not a politician or ruler in the country who would not respond to his call. Don’t rule out the AFL, which brokered the latest rights deal, turning to him for his broadcasting expertise.

power vacuum

The split leaves many questions on the table. First of all, was there a disagreement between the two? As reported Have a nice weekendThere was speculation at News Corp that Lachlan would pay the price for the family trust case that broke out. Rupert Murdoch‘s faces, but the immediate message following the settlement agreement was that he was pardoned.

The second question is whether Lachlan will use this moment to sell Nova. It’s a profitable company, of course, but like every old media company, it has its challenges. Finding a replacement for McKenna is a challenge Murdoch has never had to deal with, and he could use the money he got after selling voting shares in Fox and News Corp to finance his $5 billion family deal.

Questions have also been raised about where this leaves reporting lines. Paul WhittakerThe CEO of Sky News is set to move to Holt Street specifically in the coming months. In the Background Speculation has been heard that Whittaker will report to New York, but this has not been confirmed.

A colorful magazine roars again

If you caught our investigation into the network of companies fighting for control of the troubled sports website Roar Last week, you’d think this roster of colorful characters would be fit for a gossip or entertainment magazine.

However, another development has occurred in the week since this news was published. He seems to be one of Australia’s most famous journalists (outside Australia). Dylan Howard, emerged as a potential white knight for Roar, multiple sources say In the Background. Like many factors in this story, it’s unclear exactly what he was involved in.

Howard is something of an enigma in the Australian media. A former sports journalist from Geelong who made his name at Network Seven moved to America to pursue a career in entertainment journalism, gained a reputation for cheating and gossiping, and was accused of extortion by Jeff Bezos after claiming he had the Amazon founder “from the waist down” (a dick pic). He was also named as one of the conspirators Donald TrumpA hush money criminal trial is due to open in 2024, so it’s safe to say it’s one of our most interesting journalistic exports.

He’s reportedly back in Australia and running his own media company, but it looks like he wants to add Roar Judging by his list of assets, such is his lifelong love of Australian sports.

Howard was contacted about his potential involvement. Miro Mikrutsole director of operating Fan Media Roar “Under license” he said Howard had no intention of investing.

Howard also stated that the speculation was false, adding: Roar He “seems to be in a very incomprehensible disagreement” and has no interest in investing.

A new spotlight

Former 7News Spotlight reporter and Sky News investigative journalist Taylor Auerbach launching a new podcast, Hearing – Covers legal and media news in Australia.

He is no stranger to both subjects, as he is a latecomer. Bruce LehrmannLast year’s defamation case. He is suing Seven, claiming the company made derogatory comments about him following a fight between him and his former colleague. Steve Jacksoncurrently media writer Australianfamously shed light on the show’s efforts to secure an exclusive interview with Lehrmann.