Peter Meakin
Encyclopedia
Peter Meakin is an Australia
n journalist
and the head of news
and current affairs
at the Seven Network
.
He worked at the Nine Network
for three decades, eventually becoming director of current affairs in 1987 and the head of news and current affairs in 1993; he was credited with the ratings success of programs including Sunday, 60 Minutes and A Current Affair. He was awarded a Walkley Award
for leadership in journalism
in 2002. In 2003 Meakin left the Nine Network
acrimoniously to join the rival Seven Network
.
Although he lost a District Court appeal against his third conviction for dangerous driving, he had his original sentence, 14 months of weekend detention, reduced to 250 hours of community service.
A number of notable community members have been vocal in David's defence despite David's alleged infidelity. Public survey's have demonstrated disapproval of Peter's reasons for his justification to run the story under the guise of the public interest, and also as retribution for an act of hypocrisy on David's part. No evidence of actual mis-conduct or ministerial impropriety was presented that demonstrated David's ability to discharge his duties was compromised as minister. But rather the evidence strongly suggests only a matter of marital infidelity.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and the head of news
News
News is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
and current affairs
Current affairs (news format)
Current Affairs is a genre of broadcast journalism where the emphasis is on detailed analysis and discussion of news stories that have recently occurred or are ongoing at the time of broadcast....
at the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
.
He worked at the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
for three decades, eventually becoming director of current affairs in 1987 and the head of news and current affairs in 1993; he was credited with the ratings success of programs including Sunday, 60 Minutes and A Current Affair. He was awarded a Walkley Award
Walkley Awards
The annual Walkley Awards, under the administration of the Walkley Foundation for Journalism, are presented in Australia to recognise and reward excellence in journalism. Finalists are chosen by an independent board of eminent journalists and photographers. The awards cover all media including...
for leadership in journalism
Walkley Award for Journalism Leadership
The Walkley Award for Journalism Leadership is an Australian award that recognises outstanding acts of courage and bravery in the practice of journalism. The inaugural award, for Excellence in News Leadership, was made in 1997...
in 2002. In 2003 Meakin left the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
acrimoniously to join the rival Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
.
Drink Driving Controversy
Meakin was subject to considerable media criticism following three serious drink driving offenses committed in 2006 and 2007, resulting in a license suspension of eight years.Although he lost a District Court appeal against his third conviction for dangerous driving, he had his original sentence, 14 months of weekend detention, reduced to 250 hours of community service.
Controversial Ethics
Meakin was thought to have disrespected the death of an Australian Soldier when he allowed an interview to air that used the death to acquire viewer ratings. Peter's recent efforts to expose the secret gay life of a NSW Parliament Minister, David Campbell, raised the ire of the general public with controversial reasons to "out him" in the public interest.A number of notable community members have been vocal in David's defence despite David's alleged infidelity. Public survey's have demonstrated disapproval of Peter's reasons for his justification to run the story under the guise of the public interest, and also as retribution for an act of hypocrisy on David's part. No evidence of actual mis-conduct or ministerial impropriety was presented that demonstrated David's ability to discharge his duties was compromised as minister. But rather the evidence strongly suggests only a matter of marital infidelity.