Media Watch has come out swinging against paid television hosts that are also using their social media accounts to advertise goods.
However, Media Watch was swiftly called out for being hypocritical.
New.com.au reported that Media Watch host Paul Barry said: “Now, you might have thought that anyone who calls themselves a journalist, who presents on news programs, would not dream of taking cash for comment – but that, it seems, is old-school philosophy at the (Nine) network, where the commercial creep is on.”
Barry used Nine newsreader Belinda Rusell as a prime example.
He said: “Certainly calls herself a journalist, but she was also tucking into Cadbury a fortnight ago.
“Back in September, she and her family were spruiking rival choc shop, Darrell Lea. And among the other companies she’s happy to plug are supermarket Coles, burger joint Grill’d and even Dettol’s liquid soap.”
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However, Guardian journalist Birdie Jabour has pointed out the hypocrisy with one searing tweet.
Jabour tweeted: “Find it weird Media Watch has chosen to go after these hosts for declared ads on Instagram. When ABC journalists are allowed to make thousands of dollars hosting conferences for companies and industry bodies they report on.”
Find it weird Media Watch has chosen to go after these hosts for declared ads on Instagram when ABC journalists are allowed to make thousands of dollars hosting conferences for companies and industry bodies they report on https://t.co/T8jrVpxiff
— Bridie Jabour (@bkjabour) March 30, 2022
Honestly, in 2022 it seems naive to think that Journalists aren’t making money from other income streams.
