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James Madden has worked for The Australian for over 20 years. As a reporter, he covered courts, crime and politics in Sydney and Melbourne. James was previously Sydney chief of staff, deputy national chief of staff and national chief of staff, and was appointed media editor in 2021.

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commentaryMedia

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos JUNE 25, 2025: Journalist Antoinette Lattouf speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday after winning her case against the ABC. Lattouf claims she was unlawfully dismissed from the national broadcaster after she shared a social media post regarding the Gaza War. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Lattouf went rogue, but real blame lies with ABC management

The ABC is not the platform for political activism. Full stop. End of story. But what does this whole sorry Lattouf saga say about the public broadcaster’s management?

James Madden

MEDIAMedia

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: Tom Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles is tackled by Ryley Smith of the Eels during the round 12 NRL match between Parramatta Eels and Manly Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium on May 23, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

NRL still the big target for evolving Nine

Nine Entertainment is seeking to reposition itself as a sports streaming giant in the digital age as it prepares to launch its bid to remain the free-to-air broadcaster of the NRL.

James Madden and Steve Jackson

MEDIAMedia

(FILES) Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah celebrates with the Premier League trophy at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 25, 2025. Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Salah, Pedri and Lamine Yamal - the new jewel of soccer - will be absent from the 2025 Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14, 2025 in the United States. The tournament, which will debut in an expanded format, aims to mark an era, albeit without several of the most recognized stars on the global stage. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Stan to buy EPL rights ‘this week’

Industry speculation is that Nine will spend just over $300m to wrest English Premier League soccer rights from Optus for the next three years, starting with the upcoming 2025-26 season.

James Madden

Nation

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Sarah Wynn-Williams, former Director of Global Public Policy at Facebook, is sworn in before testifying during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. In a memoir published last month, Wynn-Williams detailed allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment at Facebook and claimed the company undermined U.S. national security in dealings with the Chinese government. Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by WIN MCNAMEE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Whistleblower exposes Meta’s role in deadly repression. Nothing happens

Experts are warning that the playbook of Facebook owner Meta has striking parallels with the notorious corporate strategy taken by the tobacco industry to protect its revenues despite clear evidence of harms its products cause.

James Madden

Radio RatingsMedia

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson in Melbourne on March 11, 2025.Picture: Supplied/Instagram

Failed experiment: Kyle and Jackie ‘O’ hit rock bottom in Melbourne

The parachuting of controversial Sydney radio duo Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson into the Melbourne appears doomed.

James Madden

MEDIAMedia

MixTape Actors, Florence Hunt, Young Alison and Rory Walton Smith -Young Daniel . Picture - BINGE/Cait Fahy

Streaming services pick up the slack on Oz drama disinterest

Against the backdrop of an ongoing debate about local content quotas for streaming platforms, some high-quality Australian drama is being produced for paying subscribers.

James Madden

MEDIAMedia

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA : NewsWire Photos - DECEMBER 16 2024; Hugh Marks named new managing director of the ABC. Picture: NewsWire

ABC’s back-to-basics managing director Hugh Marks says content is boss

ABC managing director Hugh Marks rethinks the ‘digital-first’ focus of his predecessor in favour of a shift back to the broadcaster’s traditional strengths.

James Madden

mediaMedia

CANBERRA, Australia - NewsWire Photos - November 5, 2024: ABCÃÂ Director of News, Justin Stevens appears at the Environment and Communications Supplementary budget estimates hearing at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

ABC news docos to fill Q+A void

The ABC has announced plans to increase its investment in news documentaries, signalling a shift in editorial priorities under recently appointed managing director Hugh Marks.

James Madden

CommentaryMedia

Hugh Marks’ plans to re-make the ABC might just be the shot in the arm that Aunty needs.

RIP Q+A: It was must-watch TV, until it wasn’t

Once a compelling political show that set the news agenda, Q+A has been losing its edge. Now, after 17 years, the ABC has finally called time on a format that grew tired and … well, boring.

James Madden

Media

Gen Z lead shift to ad-backed ‘free’ streamers

Younger viewers are increasingly embracing ‘free’ ad-supported streaming platforms over paid subscription services.

James Madden

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/james-madden/page/2