How did investigative journalism help bring down a murder?
Hedley Thomas, News Corp’s esteemed investigative journalist and podcaster, has the answer. And he’s bringing it to Cannes in Cairns, presented by Pinterest, in his session: “The Teachers Pet Global phenomenon”.
Thomas boasts over 35 years in newspaper journalism and took off into the world of podcasting with the creation of The Teacher’s Pet in 2018, The Night Driver in 2020 and Shandee’s Story in 2021.
By December 2022, “The Teacher’s Trial” and “Shandee’s Legacy” episodes had accumulated over 85 million downloads. So if anyone knows the power of media, it’s Thomas.
Hedley Thomas started in newspaper journalism at the Gold Coast Bulletin in 1985, followed by The Courier-Mail in Brisbane. He then spent two years in London as foreign correspondent, reporting on UK politics, turmoil in Eastern Europe, the Romanian revolution, the fall of Berlin Wall, Wimbledon, the French Open, the British Open golf, and the British Royal Family.
Thomas Went to Hong Kong in 1993, starting at Hong Kong Standard where he ran the news desk as senior reporter, before moving to South China Morning Post for six years. There, as deputy features editor, and wrote across across the paper, from news, investigative reporting and feature writing in the lead-up to Hong Kong’s 1997 handover as a British colony to China.
Thomas returned to Brisbane’s The Courier-Mail in 1999 for investigative and news reporting and feature writing, then to The Australian from 2006 to 2008.
Following a brief departure from The Australian, Thomas worked for QGC, an early mover in the new industry of CSG to LNG in Queensland. He managed communications, investor relations and brand for two years, including a friendly takeover by UK’s BG Group.
His return to The Australian came in 2010 as National Chief Correspondent. And, of course, podcasting entered the picture circa 2017.
Thomas’ career awards include Queensland Journalist of the Year (2012), Gold Walkley (2007), Gold Walkley (2018), six other Walkleys since 1999 and three Sir Keith Murdoch Awards.
He is committed to long-form deep-dive podcast investigations into unsolved murders and investigations which might make a difference by uncovering new evidence and exposing wrongdoing.
Thomas said he is: “Inspired by the honesty of people who help my investigations and who believe, as I do, that stories unpacked in forensic detail and without fear or favour in podcasts can be effective in helping achieve justice for victims and their families years after violent crime.”
And sure, being on the cusp of media and how to capture the public’s attention effectively is great and all. But need we remind you that podcasting literally helped bring down a murder!
Get the full story at Cannes in Cairns.
But hurry! Because early bird tickets sale ends NEXT FRIDAY!
Don’t miss out! Get your early bird tickets here.
