Talk:Today Tonight

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[edit] Today Tonights Chaser APEC stunt report

Just saw today tonights report on the Chaser APEC stunt. Probably the most one-sided, biased news report I have ever seem, shock-shots and shock-music all around, nothing short of propaganda. Everyone I've talked to is completely supportive of what The Chaser did, yet EVERY SINGLE person interviewed by Today Tonight was against it.

Whatever happened to ethical journalism? And how do these people sleep at night? With shows like Today Tonight being broadcast almost every night, I am now seriously worried about the future of the media and, by relation, democracy in this country.

If there are any sources to quote I would like to see a section containing a nuanced examination of Today Tonights political loyalties. I'm afraid I myself am too frustrated and angry to do an unbiased job of it myself, so I'll refrain. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 61.68.132.201 (talk) 04:08, 11 September 2007 (UTC)


[edit] removal of odds and ends

Below is some odd text I have removed. Seems unclear/confusing. Not sure how/why Today Tonight could occupy the same slot as ACA since ACA has been running since 1971. And why would nine run two different identical shows? Asa01 21:30, 2 December 2005 (UTC)

Although Today Tonight is currently on Channel 7, in the early 1980s it was on Channel 9 in timeslot now home to A Current Affair. The old Queensland version of the show was hosted by ????

Between 1979 and 1985, Today Tonight was a QTQ-9 (Channel 9 Brisbane) current affairs program which and ran against Seven's State Affair. ACA used to run at 930 monday - thursday Austvguy 11:08, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Odd

"Today Tonight is in direct competition with Ray Martin's A Current Affair. Despite being produced and made in Melbourne, the program has lower ratings in the city than its competitor made in Sydney. In Sydney, Today Tonight is the leader, thanks to a strong lead-in of fast-paced gameshow Deal or No Deal and Seven News with Ian Ross."

Which program is produced in Melbourne, and has lower ratings there? Unlike A Current Affair, Today Tonight is not produced in one single city (it has multiple editions, as the opening paragraph makes quite clear). - Mark 16:05, 13 December 2005 (UTC)
The Today Tonight East-state version (produced in Melbourne) wins in Sydney, whist A Current Affair (produced in Sydney) wins in Melbourne. Austvguy 11:44, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Criticism

I've removed the 'Criticism' section due to the information being unverified - as much as I detest Today Tonight :) Cnwb 04:20, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

It is interesting to note that nearly one third of all breach findings made by the Australian Broadcasting Authority against television broadcasters since the beginning of 2003 have involved Today Tonight. This covers every program aired on television by every telvision station.

Today Tonight is often sighted as an example of Junk Journalism and they've been caught out in the past for not properly researching their stories. I think the most famous example is probably the dole army hoax http://www.insnews.org/world/focus/0202/oz.media.hoax.htm

They tend to spend a lot of time forcing a one sided opinion down your throat. That is not good journalism! Factoid Killer 22:11, 14 March 2006 (UTC)


Hmmm... I really think a criticism section detailing the dole army hoax is appropriate here. Factoid Killer 22:12, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

Also their focus on single mothers. And what is their affiliation with Prime Time? Factoid Killer 22:16, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

I've added a cited reference to the Dole Army as this was a specific incident. However vague analysis of the show's unusual focus on single mothers and the unemployed are not really appropriate for the article. --Canley 04:31, 10 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Barcelona Tonight.. Mallorca???

'not on the island of Mallorca'. Wasn't skase on the island of Majorca? Factoid Killer 22:37, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

It seems Mallorca is more correct: check out the Wiki article on Mallorca Rocksong 23:13, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Keep 'em coming!

Please keep adding to this article (especially the criticism).

I am a noob so forgive me. The article mentions "Fazza" Who is that?

No Idea.

Maybe add to the current affair page as well, as much of the bias and exaggeration also applies there. raptor 10:40, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Criticism sections

I've removed the criticism section from the article. While I mostly agree with its content regarding the conduct of TT, the section is unverifiable, not of a neutral point of view, and possibly original research or analysis.

If you do want to have a criticism section, try one of the following:

  1. Citing specific controversial cases or stories like the "Wa-Wa" incident (with references). These speak for themselves.
  2. If you are going to mention criticism, don't use your own opinion or analysis (that's original research), or use weasel words like "many people believe" or "some people say". Directly quote someone published or broadcast elsewhere with a reference - a media expert, public figure or politician - where they criticise the show. Example: "Media expert Jim Canley told The 7.30 Report that the national IQ had dropped 5 points since Today Tonight had been on air." (obviously I've made this up, don't quote it!).
  3. Mention verifiable dated statistics (hopefully published elsewhere, but a link to the Australian Communications and Media Authority may be OK) of TT making up one-third of the ACMA investigations.

--Canley 15:48, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

It is improper representation to have a critisism section exclusively to Today Tonight, and not ACA. Both shows incorperate the same unethical, questionable and ignorent reporting, and if there is going to be a critisism in the Today Tonight section, there must be one in ACA.


"Like A Current Affair, Today Tonight is notorious for its sensationalist reporting similar to Inside Edition,..." Referencing ACA as a comparison seems sensible as it was mentioned earlier in the article, but to describe TT by comparing it to a North American program seems to privilege North American users. Thoughts? Votedukakis 11:50, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The graph

The graph suggests that a Melbourne program is viewed in 3 cities. This is incorrect. Since Naomi left, the show is now produced out of Sydney's Martin Place studios. Austvguy 02:12, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for noticing. I'll update the article to reflect that. --Tntnnbltn 17:00, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fanbase/primary demographic

Much like A Current Affair, each time I watch this show I feel as though it is geared towards a conservative fanbase. This is due to its penchant (once again like ACA) to constantly attack foreigners, the unemployed and such. Is this show supposed to be neutral? Gamer Junkie 09:38, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

The demographic is usually middle class working families and the elderly. The Australian did an article http://www.theage.com.au/news/Opinion/Demonising-youth-of-today-tonight/2005/04/12/1113251624108.html asks much the same question, the only certainty being TV tabloid journalism isn't aimed at youth. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 139.168.194.181 (talk) 07:31, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] NPOV

The Chaser section needs a rewrite. Although I personally agree, it is biased. ~ Trisreed my talk my contribs 12:17, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

Also poorly written. --Mikecraig 22:05, 15 November 2007 (UTC)
I'm all for removing it - how is it a controversy against Today Tonight? If it is, then we'll bring in the report between James Thomas involving "Meakin Booze Bus" as controversy too. This is a form of controversy which involves The Chaser doing things towards Today Tonight, not the reverse where Today Tonight are doing things towards others. It looks ugly because of its poor writing standards. I'm removing the section first - if you guys agree about this controversy being not Today Tonight's, then don't bother writing anything about it at all. If you can write something which is better than the current version, and looks as though it is a controversy of Today Tonight's then go for it. Alltrainzfan 04:58, 16 November 2007 (UTC)
There are a number of valid points to it..firstly, the fact that they are obsessed with the Chaser (don't quote that for the article though). Then there's also the allegations they 'detained' Andrew, that they showed quite a few freelancers' private phone numbers in their story, and the overall way they handled it - it took up more than half of the show.
If you put it in the context of their ongoing thing with the Chaser then it is quite relevant. timgraham 06:41, 16 November 2007 (UTC)
Some possible sources: [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8],[9],[10]. timgraham 06:56, 16 November 2007 (UTC)
Well what do you senior guys think? I'm leaving it to the professionals to handle this "controversy".Alltrainzfan (talk) 06:06, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] It's Summer!

Samantha Armytage is doing Summer East Coast edition, how about South Australia? I know Tina Alteri is the Summer for WA, but SA used to be Rosanna, now it has to be someone else. Alltrainzfan (talk) 07:47, 10 December 2007 (UTC)