Welcome to Start the Week, our Monday scene-setter for the week ahead. Today: How Nine’s radio and TV operations shone in the aftermath of Saturday’s Bondi Junction attack, while the ABC failed to launch and Seven named the wrong man.

2GB steps up as other broadcasters fail

Saturday afternoon saw many broadcasters caught flatfooted as news began to break of the murderous attack at Bondi Junction. With weekend production levels and staff on holiday because of the school break, many were slow to react. The ABC’s TV news channel stuck with its rebroadcast of Planet America, while its radio arm continued to air a food documentary. ABC Sydney remained with a sports call.

By contrast, 2GB’s Continuous Call Team, led by Mark Levy, switched to rolling coverage from their commentary box in Parramatta after breakfast host Ben Fordham called in to break the news.

Meanwhile, the social platform formerly known as Twitter was an utter cesspool.

In today’s podcast:

* How 2GB dominated on Sydney’s biggest news day of the year;

* Why was the ABC so slow to go live on radio or TV?;

* How did Seven name the wrong man?;

* Countdown to 10.15am as the Bruce Lehrmann verdict arrives;

* Fastfood ads the next target

Further reading (and listening):

* 2GB: The Continuous Call Team – Full Show Saturday April 13th 2024

* The Australian: Channel 7 presenter Matt Shirvington names innocent man Benjamin Cohen as Bondi Junction killer

* The Guardian: False claims started spreading about the Bondi Junction stabbing attack as soon as it happened

* Twitter: LittleMykonos - “Where was Westfield securirty?”

* Sydney Morning Herald: ‘Books will be written’: Judgment day in Lehrmann defamation case

* Australian Financial Review: Media fury as Albanese government flirts with $400m fast food ad ban

Editing was courtesy of Abe’s Audio, the people to talk to about voiceovers, sound design and podcast production.

Toodlepip…

Tim Burrowes

[email protected]

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