John MacKenzie, affectionately known as 'Macca', is retiring from 4CA Cairns after a remarkable 42-year run, with his final broadcast scheduled for Friday, May 30. According to Radio Info, his departure coincides with the station’s 89th anniversary. With a career spanning 52 years, Macca’s entry into radio began after a chance encounter with Johnny O’Keefe while driving a taxi in Sydney. That led to his first gig in Gympie, where he also co-founded the Gympie Muster, now one of Australia’s most iconic country music festivals. He joined 4CA in 1983 and quickly became “The Voice of the North,” using his platform to champion local issues including crime, infrastructure and urban development. Among his proudest achievements was campaigning for the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon—an idea that became a reality thanks in part to his advocacy. Macca’s interviews spanned Prime Ministers to performers, and his accolades include multiple industry awards, induction into the Queenslan

  Asserting the new reality post Operation Sindoor, External affairs minister S Jaishankar reiterated Thursday that the only issue which remains to be discussed on Kashmir is return of part of J&K that is under the illegal occupation of Pakistan (POK), while underlining that Indus Waters Treaty will remain in abeyance till Pakistan stops promoting cross-border terrorism irrevocably. Hot Off the Press The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has also revoked the security clearance of Turkish-founded Çelebi Airport Services Pvt Ltd, which handles ground-based services at 9 airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, Neha LM Tripathi reported for Hindustan Times. “Nothing is above the security of our nation and our fellow citizens. National interest and public safety are paramount and non-negotiable,” said Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a press release, adding in a subsequent statement that the order would apply to the Turkish firm’s associated companies in Indi

KBKast’s host, Karissa Breen, believes that “standard, generic answers aren’t enough” to welcome guests onto the show. “A guest has got to have a good story to tell, you've got to have an opinion. Standard generic answers are not enough, because people get bored,” Breen told Influencing. “In a podcast, your tonality, voice, parlance, and vernacular are all so important. People can start to understand more about your capability, and they can see behind some of the words.”   Breen said an evident example of this in the KBKast was during the podcast’s 300th episode, which featured Cisco Senior Vice President and General Manager of Infrastructure & Security Tom Gillis.  “I discussed with Tom, on episode 300, the evolution of cybersecurity. What does it look like? Cybersecurity networking, as well as AI, and what does he think? I think from how he sees the space at his level, he gave a fascinating perspective. “One of the things that was interesting when I

InnovationAus.com is searching for a new journalist to join its stable, following the departure of former journo Brandon How who’s gone to Capital Brief.   Speaking about the role, InnovationAus publisher Corrie McLeod, told Influencing, “We’re looking for someone who is Canberra-based to work in our office at the Federal Press Club Gallery, someone who can network and create relationships within the building.  “And we’re looking for someone who has that mid-level multimedia experience, who can make sure the right buttons are turned on when we’re creating either audio or video content.   “We’re currently getting the bones into place to ensure that the person chosen slots into the machine smoothly.”  McLeod noted that an advertisement for the position will soon be live on the publication’s website. She also said InnovationAus is taking its time advertising the role to “get the right clarity over what the role looks like”.  “We’ve gone into the g

  Former-SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has lost his defamation action appeal this morning against Nine newspapers and journalists Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters whose stories were published in 2018 claiming Roberts-Smith had committed war crimes.  The decision was handed down Friday morning in Sydney by three federal court justices in a ruling which agreed the Victoria Cross holder was not defamed. The ruling upholds the decision of Justice Anthony Basenko in 2023 who found Roberts-Smith had, on the balance of probabilities, committed war crimes in Afghanistan. The ex-soldier has always denied the allegations.  The cost of the long-running legal procededings are estimated to be in the region of $25m and Roberts-Smith could be ordered to pay those costs. 

The Athletic's lead story this morning. In a move to further boost their subscriber numbers, readers on Premium agreements at the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age are set to get access to The Athletic, in a new bundling deal announced by Nine this morning. The Athletic, part of The New York Times, is staffed by arguably some of the world’s most experienced sports journalists, with coverage of some of the globe’s most popular sporting franchises that are Nine says are growing in popularity with Australian audiences. They include the NBA, English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Formula 1 and the NFL. Premium subscribers of the Herald and The Age will have one year’s unlimited access to the Athletic’s in-depth coverage, with exclusive reporting, up-to-the-minute news, scores, expert analysis and real-time insights so readers can experience the thrill of the game as it unfolds. Coming into effect from today, Nine says the bundle is an Australian first for a local ma

Robert Walls, an iconic voice and valued member of Nine’s football commentary team for over 15 years, has died.  In a statement, Nine said, “Robert’s unique, no-nonsense style wasn't just commentary. It was a force that reshaped how the game was discussed on air and played a pivotal role in cementing 3AW’s enduring legacy as the leading voice of AFL.” Walls arrived at 3AW via a chance encounter orchestrated by a determined Anthony Hudson, who bravely approached him during his final days as Richmond coach. That led to an insightful interview that was so compelling, it seamlessly transitioned into a permanent role in the 3AW Football box. For over a decade, Robert became an indispensable part of 3AW’s broadcasts, his sharp analysis and unwavering opinions shared alongside legendary figures like Rex Hunt, Clinton Grybas, Tony Shaw, Sam Newman, Graeme Bond, Dennis Cometti, Tony Leonard, Gerard Healy, Mike Sheahan, and Caroline Wilson.  “His direct approach wasn't alw