Our Journalists

Rita PanahiColumnist and Sky News host

Rita is a senior columnist at Herald Sun, and Sky News Australia anchor of The Rita Panahi Show and co-anchor of top-rating Sunday morning discussion program Outsiders.Born in America, Rita spent much of her childhood in Iran before her family moved to Australia as refugees. She holds a Master of Business, with a career spanning more than two decades, first within the banking sector and the past ten years as a journalist and columnist.

@ritapanahi

Rita Panahi

Latest

OpinionRita Panahi

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese holds a press conference with the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, the Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Senator Patrick Dodson, and members of the Referendum Working Group hold a press conference at Parliament house in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

No surprise support for Voice has plummeted

The Yes vote has fallen below the No vote – and it seems Australians are not going to be guilted or bullied into enshrining racial privilege into the Constitution.

OPINIONRita Panahi

Brittany Higgins and partner David Sharaz as seen on social media

Higgins’ rape claims used as hit job to ‘f*** over’ Libs

Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations have been used for a political hit job from the start of the saga, but recently we’ve seen just how deliberate and co-ordinated those efforts were.

OPINIONRita Panahi

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 30: AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan speaks to the media during a press conference at AFL House on May 30, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. McLachlan spoke about the outcomes in relation to the Independent Panel Investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct at the Hawthorn Hawks. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Gil’s legacy tainted by toxic race politics of Hawks saga

Outgoing AFL chief Gillon McLachlan cultivated a culture of racial grievances and identity politics, and sadly the ugly mess that created will linger after he’s gone.

Rita Panahi

04/10/2018: Chin Tan, new Racial Discrimination Commissioner, in Hawthorn near Melbourne. Stuart McEvoy/The Australian.

It’s Orwellian doublespeak to suggest the Voice isn’t racial

Australia’s race discrimination commissioner Chin Tan is just another member of the increasingly desperate “yes” camp trying to browbeat the nation into backing a divisive, racial proposition.

OpinionRita Panahi

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 13, 2023: Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney at the National Apology Anniversary breakfast. The National Apology Anniversary breakfast with survivors of the Stolen Generations In the Great Hall, Parliament House Canberra.Speakers include:Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles,Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney; Former Prime Minister, Dr Kevin RuddTJ Mia, Noongar Elder & Member of the Stolen Generations;and Michael McLeod, Chair Message Stick Group.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Taxpayer-funded ads not impartial on Voice agenda

The backers of the so-called “Indigenous Voice” are not content with the top end of town pushing the “yes” vote, they want to use taxpayer money to push their agenda.

OpinionRita Panahi

Justin Reeves Ceo The 120th Annual General Meeting of Hawthorn Football Club will be held at Hawthorn Townhall. Picture: Jason Edwards

More heads must roll over Hawthorn calamity

Everyone involved in commissioning the activist report that has potentially exposed Hawthorn Football Club to untold damage should leave the joint in disgrace.

OpinionRita Panahi

The Swans run out for Pride Game during their AFL match Sydney Swans v St.Kilda at the SCG. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Footy fans treated with disdain by virtue signalling clubs

Collingwood, Sydney and other teams’ divisive political posturing becomes vacuous when their actions do not match their words.

OpinionRita Panahi

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 07: Alastair Clarkson, Senior Coach of the Kangaroos looks on during the 2023 AFL Round 08 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on May 7, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Clarkson affair shames AFL and the media

What happened to Alastair Clarkson should shame the Hawthorn Football Club, the AFL, the ABC and the football media.

OpinionRita Panahi

Australian and Sydney Sixers cricketer Ash Gardner ahead of the WBBL First Nations Round. Photo by Phil Hillyard(Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - Â©Phil Hillyard )

Why I don’t need to be welcomed to my own country

I don’t need to be welcomed to my own country, and I don’t think I’m living on stolen land. As a migrant, my right to feel Australian and call this country mine is no less than yours.

OpinionRita Panahi

Dylan Mulvaney and Kid Rock are at the centre of a Bud Light row

Bud Light boycott sends warning to woke Aussie companies

The brewing giant thought it could push LGBTQI activism masquerading as “diversity and inclusion” but what actually happened was devastating reputational damage.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/rita-panahi/page/14