Paul Barry: Mark Scott, David Anderson “have always had my back”

Paul Barry last night hosted his final Media Watch episode, ending an 11 year run.

The final looked back over changes in the media landscape including the decline of Free to Air television and newspapers, monetisation and clickbait, social media, scandals and even ABC stuff-ups.

“Over the years I have hosted Media Watch, several executives have wanted me sacked,” he said.

“But they left and I survived. As did the program.

“And I need to thank the ABC for that.

“It is remarkable that any broadcaster tolerates a program that rips into it as we have done. And two people in particular deserve the credit.

“Mark Scott who was managing director from 2006 to 2016 and David Anderson who has been managing director since 2019.

“They have always had my back, and defended Media Watch’s right to criticise, even if they didn’t agree with its criticisms. So thank you to both.

“Thank you also to my partner in crime, executive producer Tim Latham, who has been wonderful to work with, has been here almost as long as I have, and is also moving on.

“And thanks to all the people who have put this program to air week after week, year after year. They’re friends I have made, not lost. And it really has been a team effort.

“Next year Linton Besser will be in the chair. I wish him the very best of luck. And I hope you will join him.

“And we’ll leave you with a taste of our final, final show — the best of Media Bites, all 413 episodes — which will be out on social media later this week.

Bites will not be back next year, which is sad, because making them was a lot of fun.

“That’s it. Thanks for watching. Goodbye from me and the team.”