What happens when a journalist who’s spent decades in the newsroom goes head-to-head with a futurist who believes AI could save it?

In the very first Mediaweek’s Newsmakers Debate, Joe Hildebrand and Rita Arrigo face off over one of the biggest questions in modern media: Is AI destroying journalism, or helping it evolve?


It’s a fiery, funny, and surprisingly hopeful exchange about truth, trust, and the future of storytelling — and it’s one every media professional should hear.

What happens when a journalist who&rsquo;s spent decades in the newsroom goes head-to-head with a futurist who believes AI could save it?
In the very first Mediaweek&rsquo;s Newsmakers Debate, Joe Hildebrand and Rita Arrigo face off over one of the biggest questions in modern media: Is AI destroying journalism, or helping it evolve?
 It&rsquo;s a fiery, funny, and surprisingly hopeful exchange about truth, trust, and the future of storytelling &mdash; and it&rsquo;s one every media professional should hear.

Mediaweek Newsmakers Debate - AI And Journalism

There aren’t many journalists who can say they’ve gone from covering crime scenes to coaching CEOs - but Shelly Horton can.

After three decades in the media, she’s swapped newsroom chaos for the boardroom floor, turning her sharp instincts and trademark humour into a mission: helping leaders find their voice and women find their power.

In this episode of Mediaweek’s Newsmakers, Shelly talks about I’m Your Peri Godmother - her funny, fearless guide to perimenopause - and the advocacy work that’s taken her from TV studios to Parliament House. She also reveals the secret behind her “five Ps” for public speaking (spoiler: they’re not exactly HR-approved).

It’s classic Shelly - smart, bold, and brilliantly unfiltered - proving that good preparation (and a solid sense of humour) can take you just about anywhere.

There aren&rsquo;t many journalists who can say they&rsquo;ve gone from covering crime scenes to coaching CEOs - but Shelly Horton can.
After three decades in the media, she&rsquo;s swapped newsroom chaos for the boardroom floor, turning her sharp instincts and trademark humour into a mission: helping leaders find their voice and women find their power.
In this episode of Mediaweek&rsquo;s Newsmakers, Shelly talks about I&rsquo;m Your Peri Godmother - her funny, fearless guide to perimenopause - and the advocacy work that&rsquo;s taken her from TV studios to Parliament House. She also reveals the secret behind her &ldquo;five Ps&rdquo; for public speaking (spoiler: they&rsquo;re not exactly HR-approved).
It&rsquo;s classic Shelly - smart, bold, and brilliantly unfiltered - proving that good preparation (and a solid sense of humour) can take you just about anywhere.

Mediaweek Newsmakers - Shelly Horton

Simon Cahill

Pickup

For Simon Cahill, the intersection of music and technology has never just been work - it’s been a lifelong obsession.

From tinkering with VCRs as a kid to helping launch SXSW Sydney, he’s built a career that reflects the same passions that once kept him glued to Saturday morning music shows.

In this chat, Cahill details the golden thread that seems to have woven his career together, and explains how a hobby turned into a dream career.

For Simon Cahill, the intersection of music and technology has never just been work - it&rsquo;s been a lifelong obsession.
From tinkering with VCRs as a kid to helping launch SXSW Sydney, he&rsquo;s built a career that reflects the same passions that once kept him glued to Saturday morning music shows.
In this chat, Cahill details the golden thread that seems to have woven his career together, and explains how a hobby turned into a dream career.

Mediaweek Newsmakers - Simon Cahill

Mitch Churi is a broadcaster who’s never been afraid to put himself out there. From squatting in a KIIS FM studio clucking like a chicken in front of Kyle and Jackie O, to winning awards and hosting national shows, Mitch has carved out one of the most colourful journeys in Australian radio.

When ARN cut him loose earlier this year, he didn’t sit still. Instead, he doubled down on what he loves most: connecting with audiences. Now he’s launching The Mitch Churi Chat Show with Acast - part late-night talk show, part internet playground, and all Mitch.

In this episode, we talk about the hustle, the setbacks, and the leap from traditional radio to independent creator.

You can check out Mitch's new show here: https://www.youtube.com/@MitchChuriChatShow 

Mitch Churi is a broadcaster who&rsquo;s never been afraid to put himself out there. From squatting in a KIIS FM studio clucking like a chicken in front of Kyle and Jackie O, to winning awards and hosting national shows, Mitch has carved out one of the most colourful journeys in Australian radio.
When ARN cut him loose earlier this year, he didn&rsquo;t sit still. Instead, he doubled down on what he loves most: connecting with audiences. Now he&rsquo;s launching The Mitch Churi Chat Show with Acast - part late-night talk show, part internet playground, and all Mitch.
In this episode, we talk about the hustle, the setbacks, and the leap from traditional radio to independent creator.
You can check out Mitch's new show here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MitchChuriChatShow">https://www.youtube.com/@MitchChuriChatShow</a>&nbsp;

Mediaweek Newsmakers - Mitch Churi

Clair Weaver’s path to journalism wasn’t the usual one. At 19, she was flying long-haul as a flight attendant, wondering what might come next. But she already knew the answer: journalism.

She studied remotely through the UK’s National Council for the Training of Journalists and cut her teeth at a local Hertfordshire paper, before moving on to the Watford Observer and then the fast-paced newsroom of the Evening Standard.

Today, Weaver heads up LiSTNR’s news, crime and documentary podcasts, overseeing original investigations that have helped make the platform Australia’s leading factual podcast network. And it’s a space audiences can’t seem to get enough of.

Clair Weaver&rsquo;s path to journalism wasn&rsquo;t the usual one. At 19, she was flying long-haul as a flight attendant, wondering what might come next. But she already knew the answer: journalism.
She studied remotely through the UK&rsquo;s National Council for the Training of Journalists and cut her teeth at a local Hertfordshire paper, before moving on to the Watford Observer and then the fast-paced newsroom of the Evening Standard.
Today, Weaver heads up LiSTNR&rsquo;s news, crime and documentary podcasts, overseeing original investigations that have helped make the platform Australia&rsquo;s leading factual podcast network. And it&rsquo;s a space audiences can&rsquo;t seem to get enough of.

Mediaweek Newsmakers - Clair Weaver

Majella Hay is undoubtedly one of the most powerful women in Australian television.

She’s the Director of Content, Unscripted at the Seven Network, which means She’s the driving force behind shows like My Kitchen Rules, Australian Idol and Farmer Wants a Wife.

But in this conversation, Majella doesn’t just talk formats and ratings. 

She opens up about balance, about what it means to carry both a huge slate of TV and the everyday realities of being a mum. 

From the lessons she learned chasing con men down the street in high heels, to how she reframes that all-too-familiar ‘mum guilt,’ this is a candid look at the woman shaping what millions of Australians watch every week.

Majella Hay is undoubtedly one of the most powerful women in Australian television.
She&rsquo;s the Director of Content, Unscripted at the Seven Network, which means She&rsquo;s the driving force behind shows like My Kitchen Rules, Australian Idol and Farmer Wants a Wife.
But in this conversation, Majella doesn&rsquo;t just talk formats and ratings.&nbsp;
She opens up about balance, about what it means to carry both a huge slate of TV and the everyday realities of being a mum.&nbsp;
From the lessons she learned chasing con men down the street in high heels, to how she reframes that all-too-familiar &lsquo;mum guilt,&rsquo; this is a candid look at the woman shaping what millions of Australians watch every week.

Mediaweek Newsmakers - Majella Hay

Morgana O'Reilly

Edit

Morgana O’Reilly is no stranger to playing complex, messy women.

And, she’s been everywhere - from Neighbours and Wentworth to The White Lotus. 

Now she’s stepping into one of her most haunting roles yet in Playing Gracie Darling. She stars as Joni, a child psychologist forced to return to the hometown where her best friend vanished during a séance, only to discover history has a way of repeating itself.

Morgana talks about why she still believes in ghosts, tarot and the magic of storytelling.

Morgana O&rsquo;Reilly is no stranger to playing complex, messy women.
And, she&rsquo;s been everywhere - from Neighbours and Wentworth to The White Lotus.&nbsp;
Now she&rsquo;s stepping into one of her most haunting roles yet in Playing Gracie Darling. She stars as Joni, a child psychologist forced to return to the hometown where her best friend vanished during a s&eacute;ance, only to discover history has a way of repeating itself.
Morgana talks about why she still believes in ghosts, tarot and the magic of storytelling.

Mediaweek Newsmakers - Morgana O'Reilly

Intro

Mid Roll

Nick McKenzie has exposed war crimes, brought down politicians, and forced entire institutions to face the truth.

Now, Australia’s most awarded investigative journalist joins Newsmakers to talk power, pressure - and why journalism still matters.

Nick McKenzie has exposed war crimes, brought down politicians, and forced entire institutions to face the truth.
Now, Australia&rsquo;s most awarded investigative journalist joins Newsmakers to talk power, pressure - and why journalism still matters.

Mediaweek Newsmakers - Nick McKenzie

Hanna Rosin

Highlight

Tash Intro

Start

Part-2

One of America's most distinctive and daring voices, The Atlantic'sHanna Rosin, is headed to Sydney this month, and she's not coming quietly.

Ahead of her appearance as keynote speaker at the 2025 Women in Media National Conference, Rosin sat down with Mediaweek for a conversation that pulls no punches: on masculinity in crisis, gender roles in reverse, journalism under pressure, and what it means to stay soft in a hardening world.

Rosin, currently Senior Editor at The Atlantic and host of Radio Atlantic, has spent decades chronicling the cultural shifts that most of us only start noticing once they've reached a breaking point. 

And right now, she says, we're living in one.

One of America's most distinctive and daring voices, The Atlantic's Hanna Rosin, is headed to Sydney this month, and she's not coming quietly.
Ahead of her appearance as keynote speaker at the 2025 Women in Media National Conference, Rosin sat down with Mediaweek for a conversation that pulls no punches: on masculinity in crisis, gender roles in reverse, journalism under pressure, and what it means to stay soft in a hardening world.
Rosin, currently Senior Editor at The Atlantic and host of Radio Atlantic, has spent decades chronicling the cultural shifts that most of us only start noticing once they've reached a breaking point.&nbsp;
And right now, she says, we're living in one.

Mediaweek's Newsmakers: The Atlantic's Hanna Rosin

Joke

To broadcaster David Koch, Pinstripe Media was always more than a business, it was a family legacy.

In this episode of Newsmakers, David Koch unpacks the decision to sell the small business and personal finance content company he built with his family, and what it means to hand over the reins to the next generation.

Best known as the steady hand behind the Sunrise desk for more than two decades, Kochie reflects on life beyond breakfast TV: the strange privilege of living in the public eye and the evolving nature of influence.

 It’s a candid, considered conversation between Mediaweek's Natasha Lee and one of Australia’s most trusted media voices.

To broadcaster David Koch, Pinstripe Media was always more than a business, it was a family legacy.
In this episode of Newsmakers, David Koch unpacks the decision to sell the small business and personal finance content company he built with his family, and what it means to hand over the reins to the next generation.
Best known as the steady hand behind the Sunrise desk for more than two decades, Kochie reflects on life beyond breakfast TV: the strange privilege of living in the public eye and the evolving nature of influence. &nbsp;It&rsquo;s a candid, considered conversation between Mediaweek's Natasha Lee and one of Australia&rsquo;s most trusted media voices.

Mediaweek's Newsmakers: Broadcaster David Koch

Mediaweek Podcasts deliver insider access to Australia’s media industry. From exclusive interviews with top execs and talent, to sharp analysis of trends shaping media, marketing and advertising.

Mediaweek Podcasts deliver insider access to Australia&rsquo;s media industry. From exclusive interviews with top execs and talent, to sharp analysis of trends shaping media, marketing and advertising.

Mediaweek Australia

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