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The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
News Corp bets big on AI tools but journalists voice concerns
Journalists at three of Rupert Murdoch's Australian mastheads have reported deep concern after training sessions for an in-house AI tool called 'NewsGPT' . Staffers on the Australian, the Courier Mail and the Daily Telegraph say the tool enables them to take on the persona of another writer, or to adopt a certain style, and NewsGPT will then generate a custom article. Another tool, in which they adopt the persona of an editor to generate story leads or fresh angles, has also been used. But they say the training sessions have not explained what the technology will be used for. Reporters have been told to expect another round of training using an AI tool called 'Story Cutter' which will edit and produce copy, effectively removing or reducing the need for subeditors. The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance said the AI programs were not only a threat to jobs but also threatened to undermine accountable journalism. News Corp mastheads have certainly embraced the use of AI for illustrations recently; and in 2023 the company admitted producing 3,000 localised articles a week using generative artificial intelligence. In March the company's chief technology officer, Julian Delany, unveiled NewsGPT and described it as a powerful tool. A News Corp Australia spokesperson told Weekly Beast: 'As with many companies News Corp Australia is investigating how AI technologies can enhance our workplaces rather than replace jobs. Any suggestion to the contrary is false.' The Guardian's AI policy on the use of AI can be seen here. Kerry Stokes' Seven West Media showed its disdain for the NRL on Thursday with a front-page headline in the West Australian which failed to mention the words State of Origin or NRL. 'One bunch of east coasters beat another at rugby in Perth last night', the dismissive headline said. The report of the match was relegated to page 36 of the sports pages, despite the match being played in Perth. So why ignore a major event in your home town? Seven West Media has a $1.5bn deal with rival code the AFL, and the West Australian has actively campaigned against a new West Australian NRL team, the Bears. While the newspaper claims the NRL is not popular in WA, the match recorded the highest-ever TV total audience for an Origin match in Perth, with 190,000 tuning in and 57,023 attending the match at Optus Stadium. Journalists who work for Stokes at his newspaper empire had some bad news on Thursday in the form of an email with the dreaded words 'operational review' and 'redundancies' at West Australian Newspapers. The company is offering voluntary redundancies across the West Australian, Perth Now, and the regional and community papers, and is asking for expressions of interest, by Friday 20 June. On Tuesday, staff will be informed which roles will be made redundant and those folk will leave the same week. Editor-in-chief of WA Newspapers, Christopher Dore, has been approached for comment. On Monday, Australian Story will examine the Rachael Gunn story – but Raygun's voice will not be heard after the breakdancer declined to participate. While this is a departure for the award-winning program, which conventionally tells first-person stories, it's not unheard of. Australian Story's executive producer, Caitlin Shea, told Weekly Beast the format is broad enough 'to examine ideas, issues, and cultural phenomena as well as the more personal profile'. Shea points to episodes that examined Cliff Young's race, the ABC TV show Race Around the World and true crime stories about Kathleen Folbigg, the Somerton Man mystery and Lyn Dawson. The episode is not a profile but 'examines the Raygun phenomenon to try to understand why it created such a storm and why Gunn remains such a polarising figure'. Murdoch's New York Post launched a new podcast this month from the 'legendary political columnist Miranda Devine', an Australian journalist who relocated from Sydney's Daily Telegraph to New York in 2019. An unashamed right-wing cheerleader, Devine's first guest was unsurprisingly Donald Trump. Videos of Devine laughing in a cosy chat with the president in the White House have been shared widely on social media. Sign up to Weekly Beast Amanda Meade's weekly diary on the latest in Australian media, free every Friday after newsletter promotion Among the scoops she claimed from the debut Pod Force One was Trump saying all rioters found to be burning the US flag should earn an 'automatic' one-year jail sentence. The chat started off with the following exchange. Devine: 'Mr President, thank you so much for doing this, our very first podcast, especially, I mean, I know how much you have on your plate. I mean, how do you juggle it all? Trump: 'I've got wars. I've got war and peace, and I have you. And I heard it was your first, so this is your first [podcast]. It's gonna, it's an honour to be on your show.' When Trump falsely claimed Joe Biden allowed immigrants to come in to the US 'from jails and prisons all over the world … [and] from mental institutions' Devine replied: 'Why did he do that, it's so destructive?' The ABC put out a media release this week announcing it was 'delighted' Kyle Hugall had been appointed 'Head of Made'. There was little in the release to explain what this role at Made might entail or indeed what Made was, although Hugall was described as a creative leader who had worked in advertising. The title reminded us of a letter written by senior presenters to the board in 2016 that condemned new layers of 'preposterously named executives' which would have been at home in an episode of the ABC satire on bureaucracy, Utopia. Titles included 'Head, Spoken' (Radio National manager) and 'Classical Lead' (manager of Classic FM). Despite the failure of her 'official' endorsement of Peter Dutton before the last election, Sharri Markson has issued her own symbolic sanctions on Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong. 'I'm going to start tonight by issuing my own symbolic sanctions against the two most damaging figures in the Albanese government, the prime minister and the foreign minister,' the Sky News Australia host said. 'I sanction Wong and Albanese for their antagonistic and extreme rhetoric which, over the past 20 months has only inflamed anti-Israel sentiment and contributed to the dangerous rise in antisemitism in our country.' An apparent suicide of a young man at a public place in the Adelaide CBD on Sunday has been extensively reported by the Advertiser, much to the dismay of the South Australian Police and the man's family. A spokesperson for the police told Weekly Beast that despite the police advising all media outlets on Sunday 15 June that the incident was 'a mental health matter, and we will not be reporting on it any further', some members of the media went ahead anyway and the family was 'extremely distraught'. The Advertiser published several stories in the newspaper and online, as well as a video. The content included multiple photographs of the location, the manner of suicide and the man's private photographs. The Australian Press Council has specific guidelines for the reporting of an individual suicide, which say it should only be done if it is in the public interest and the journalist has the consent of the family. The manner of suicide should not be disclosed. This individual was not a public figure. Late on Thursday, with another article published in the Advertiser, the South Australian police took the unusual step 'on behalf of [the] family' of asking the media to remove all the content. We 'formally request all media remove any articles, social media or any media relating to his death', SA police said. 'The reporting and media articles are causing further unnecessary distress and harm to the family and friends of [the deceased]. We trust that all media will adhere to this request on behalf of the family and actions its requests immediately.' The editor of the Advertiser, Gemma Jones, and the editor of the Daily Mail, Felicity Hetherington, did not respond to requests for comment and the stories remain online at the time of publication.
Sky News AU
7 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Anthony Albanese suggests NSW and Victoria should be considered to host major 2032 Olympic events, sparking stern rebuke from Qld officials
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has suggested consideration should be made for two 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games sports to be held outside of Queensland. The 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games plot has continued to thicken after the Labor leader said the tennis and rowing could potentially be held in New South Wales and Victoria and that the Sunshine State lacked the appropriate facilities to host the two sports. Appearing on the most recent episode of the Two Good Sports podcast uploaded on Friday, Mr Albanese said there was a 'bit of a debate going on' over the venue plan. 'I've been meeting with (2032 Organising Committee President) Andrew Liveris as well as with the Queensland Premier (David) Crisafulli about where it goes,' he told the podcast. 'For example, are we really going to do rowing in Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River when there are some pretty good facilities at Penrith (in Sydney's west)?' The PM, who has flown to Canada for the G7 summit, cast doubt on Queensland's ability to accommodate the two sports and questioned why taxpayer funds would be used to develop new facilities when there were existing amenities in Sydney and Melbourne. 'There's a debate over tennis and what's needed there in Brisbane as well," Mr Albanese told the Melbourne-based podcast. 'You have pretty good tennis facilities." However, the Crisafulli state government was quick to pounce on the unexpected comments, vowing that Brisbane would host all Olympic events. A Queensland government spokesperson told the Courier Mail on Friday that 'we are working with all levels of government to implement the 2032 Games Delivery Plan, which will see Rowing in Rockhampton and Tennis played at the upgraded Queensland Tennis Centre.' Mr Crisafulli previously stated that his government would guarantee 'Melbourne will not be taking the tennis from Brisbane'. Tennis Queensland CEO Cameron Pearson also weighed in on the stoush, and resoundingly backed his home state, saying 'the Premier confirmed in March that Olympic and Paralympic tennis will be played in Brisbane, and we've had productive discussions since'. Yet, despite vocal protest from high-ranking Queensland officials, the Prime Minister added 'it might be that you just can't do everything in one spot in the future' and that it was 'legitimate for there to be proper discussion'. Hosting the rowing in the notoriously crocodile "infested" waters of the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton has attracted ridicule and furore, with a recent hydrological study also concluding the river drops to almost zero flow in the winter months when the games are due to be held. A Brisbane 2032 spokesperson reiterated the venue master plan process was still ongoing and that many details were still yet to be determined. 'Delivering world-class fields of play that provide an optimal performance environment for athletes remains key for Brisbane 2032 and ensuring International Federations are involved in planning and delivery will help achieve this outcome,' a Brisbane 2032 statement read. In response to the row, an Albanese government spokesperson said there needed to be a 'common sense approach' in the planning of the games and that any changes to the scheduling would be decided in tandem with the Queensland government.
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
goes here vandyke main from dorries
At first glance, David Vandyke's post-race celebrations if he wins the Queensland Oaks might not look too dissimilar from other trainers enjoying the afterglow of a momentous Group 1 triumph. You might perhaps spy Vandyke drinking a frothy amber liquid as he raises a glass with connections. Or he might even be sipping another beverage that, at a cursory look, could be mistaken for a gin and tonic. But that will be his favourite drink of sparkling water 'with a bit of lemon or lime in it' … or a zero alcohol beer. It's been the same for 26 years, since the last time the trainer touched the demon drink. Sobriety sits well with him. Vandyke was once a grog monster, addicted to hard drugs and even slept in his car for a period and considered ending it all. That was in Sydney in the 1990s but there is a new Vandyke today – and his move to the Sunshine Coast nine years ago has been a godsend. The last thing Vandyke wants to be is complacent as, despite being clean for a long time, he knows that remaining sober is always a work in progress. 'I've got to be a bit careful giving myself a pat on the back,' Vandyke tells The Courier-Mail. 'If I focus on what I have achieved, it can give me a false sense of where I am going. 'I will talk to anyone about it, it's part of being a recovering addict that we just share where we are at. 'I have been pretty safe with the work I have done to remain sober. 'Sobriety is the key to everything I do. 'My program of recovery and being sober unlocks everything else, everything seems to flow from there … relationships, work, life, fast horses. 'I wake up most days and just think 'Gee, I'm glad I didn't have a drink yesterday'. Vandyke, who can burst back into the Group 1 spotlight if favourite and winning machine Philia scores the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on Saturday, has a mentor to help ensure he never has a destructive addiction spiral again. As important as his work is training horses, and it is what puts money on the table, he also tries to guide other recovering addicts out of dark places. 'Part of the recovery process is sharing what we have gained and drawing a path for those recovering behind us,' Vandyke said. 'I often have people (recovering addicts) talking to me about where they are at. 'That might be phone conversations, or people coming and seeing me. 'I am a mentor and I have got mentors myself. 'I have people that I talk to and I have people who talk to me. 'If I wasn't training horses, I would like to think I would be doing the same thing. 'I have to do recovery work on a daily basis. 'The broad term involves being in communication with other recovering addicts. 'It's about living my best life and physical training is also part of that. 'If I let myself slide back physically or mentally, then there could be problems. 'I am healthy and well. I wouldn't move from where I am on the Sunshine Coast, it's a great spot to be.' Regular gym and swimming sessions are an important part of Vandyke's life and the trainer says he has never really been tempted by the grog since he gave it up and turned his life around. While beers often flow freely in the winners rooms of racecourses, there are other ways to enjoy a win on the track. 'I am happy to go and have a drink, but without alcohol,' Vandyke said. 'I will have a zero alcohol beer or a sparkling water with a bit of lemon or lime in it, that's probably my chosen drink. 'I had my last drink when I was 33. I am 59 now. 'When one of my mates is having a red wine, I might like to have a look at the bottle, but I won't have a drink of it. 'I moved up to Queensland because of the lifestyle more so than the work, I just felt I wasn't in the right place in Sydney. 'I moved up here and met my people, so to speak.' Racing has provided plenty of natural highs for Vandyke since he moved to Queensland including a Group 1 Oaks win with Gypsy Goddess (2022) and Alligator Blood's famous Group 1 Australian Guineas triumph in 2020. But you sense sobriety is his greatest achievement – more so than his four career Group 1s or the many millions of dollars in prizemoney his horses have won.
Sky News AU
04-06-2025
- General
- Sky News AU
Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop's housemate in police custody as cops call off search
Pheobe Bishop's housemate, James Wood, has been taken into police custody three weeks after the 17-year-old disappeared en route to the airport. Pheobe was last spotted travelling in her other roommate's grey Hyundai ix35 to Airport Drive, Bundaberg, on the morning of May 15. The teenager was booked on a flight to Western Australia to meet up with her teenage boyfriend; however, Queensland Police are 'quite confident' the 17-year-old never made it to the airport. She was accompanied by her two roommates, Tanika Bromley and Mr Wood, who lived with the teenager on a property in Gin Gin. The Courier Mail has revealed Mr Wood, 34, is currently in police custody in Bundaberg and is being questioned in connection with the teenager's disappearance. Queensland Police confirmed the development in a statement: "A 34-year-old man has been taken into custody and is currently assisting police with enquiries as part of ongoing investigations into the disappearance of Pheobe Bishop." No charges have been laid. The news comes shortly after detectives called off "physical searches" for Pheobe. It has been three weeks since Pheobe was last seen alive, and her bank accounts and social media remain untouched. Her phone was switched off shortly after the last call to her boyfriend.
Sky News AU
29-05-2025
- Sky News AU
Cairns mother, Krystel Paul, had 'packed her bags' to leave before being shot to death by husband in tragic murder-suicide
Cairns mother, Krystel Paul, who was shot dead by her husband in a murder-suicide on Tuesday, had 'packed her bags' and was moments away from fleeing before she was killed. Krystel, 41, was shot to death by her husband, James Paul, on Tuesday night, before he turned the gun on himself. The horrifying deaths made headlines earlier this week when it was revealed the couple's 10-year-old daughter was instructed by her dad to run from the home and call her grandmother to say her mother had died. The little girl fled the home to her neighbour's house moments before gunshots rang out. The neighbours dialled Triple-0 and police arrived at the Mount Sheridan home to find the couple's bodies in the bathroom and main room of the house. Award-winning journalist and prominent advocate against violence toward women and children, Sherele Moody, received a message from a friend of Krystel, who revealed the beloved mother had packed her and her daughters' belongings into the boot of the car and was just moments away from fleeing when she was violently killed. Ms Moody, founder of the Australian Femicide Watch - which tracks every known case of Australian women and children killed due to murder, manslaughter, or neglect - pointed to the tragic new details as a stark reminder of why women in domestic violence situations so often struggle to report abuse or leave. 'Krystel Paul had packed her bags, put them in the boot of her car and was walking out the door,' she posted on X. 'He shot her to death. 'This is why women don't report. This is why women don't leave. 'Most women don't leave because they know he'll try to kill them'. Ms Moody's foundation lists Krystel as the 31st Australian woman killed this year and the 134th lost to violence since January 1, 2024. The mother owned a bridal boutique in the Cairns CBD and has been remembered as a quiet and gentle person who will be deeply missed. On Wednesday afternoon, Cairns Police Detective Acting Inspector Alina Bell confirmed her 10-year-old daughter left her family's home just moments before her parents died. She also revealed the young girl had been 'alerted to the incident occurring' before she reached out for help from a neighbour. Mount Sheridan resident Danna Lancini told the Courier Mail: 'I had to comfort her last night because she told me that her mum was dead". '(The girl) said 'my dad sent me here because she's dead'," Ms Lancini said. '(My husband) heard the two, 'bang, bang', and then the daughter was on our front door. 'The two shots must have been when she was running.' Police have asked anyone with information or relevant footage in the area to come forward as investigations remain ongoing. You can support Ms Moody's foundation for women and children lost to violence at:
