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A towering figure of Australia’s television industry has died

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David Leckie, who led the Nine and Seven networks to ratings victory has died at the age of 70.

Most recently, he was the CEO of Seven West Media until June 2012. He had been brought in as an executive director at Seven Group Holdings.

Throughout the 1990s, Leckie cemented Channel Nine as Australia’s number one rated network. He knew TV better than any other Australian executive.

THE LAST ROCK STAR CEO

Leckie died at his farm in Robertson, in NSW’s Southern Highlands.

“With immense sadness we advise the passing of our adored and much-loved husband and father, David Leckie. He was surrounded by his loving family,” read a statement from Leckie’s wife Skye, and sons Tim, Harry and Ben.

Leckie had been frail for the past year and had been in palliative care before his death due to unspecified health issues.

As recently as last year, he was brought back to the Seven network to mentor key executives following a management shakeup.

He is survived by his wife Sky and their children.

Leckie’s television career begin in 1977 in sales at the Nine Network in GTV, Melbourne.

In 1982, he was appointed Nine Network Sales Director at TCN in Sydney by legendary television boss Sam Chisholm.

In 2012 he was replaced by Tim Worner, but continued as a Director and consultant until 2016.

TRIBUTES FOR A LEGEND

Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes AC, said: “I had a close association and friendship with David for more than 20 years and finally enticed him to Seven in 2003, when he started the difficult process in turning around the network’s fortunes.

“David achieved the turnaround quickly and effectively, building a winning team, financial and programming model, which delivered us leadership of the TV industry for many years.

Seven West Media managing director and chief executive officer, James Warburton, said: “David was a true legend of the Australian media industry and a loved part of the Seven family. Everyone at Seven will miss him enormously.

“Inspiring, engaging, loud, passionate and famously difficult at times, he was an extraordinary salesperson and an intuitive TV programmer. Without a doubt he was the best TV executive this country has ever seen and an important influence and mentor for so many people and careers. He was once labelled the last of the rock star CEOs and I’d say that was a pretty good description.

“David was the reason I got into television and was a great friend. My heartfelt sympathies go to Skye and their boys. There will only ever be one David Leckie. It was a great privilege to have known and worked with him.”

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Mike Sneesby, CEO of Nine, said: “David Leckie was a giant of television. He contributed enormously to the success we all shared with him here at Nine, his instincts and leadership heralded the golden era of Australian television.

“He adored his family and so many of us stayed in touch as a friend even after he left. He set the culture of excellence at Nine that still exists in our DNA today and we thank him for that.”

Due to COVID restrictions in Sydney he will be farewelled at a small, private funeral. The service will be live streamed.

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“The Eastman Dilemma” documentary explores legal challenges faced by Trump attorney

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“The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice” had its world premiere at The Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.

The new documentary explores the controversial legal challenges faced by John Eastman, a prominent constitutional scholar and former adviser to President Donald Trump.

The Madison Media Fund released the film, which delves into claims that Eastman and other conservative attorneys have been unfairly targeted for their legal representation of Trump following the 2020 presidential election.

Thee film raises broader questions about free speech and the ability of attorneys to represent politically divisive clients without facing personal or professional retribution.

President-elect Trump along with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio attended the film’s premiere with other dignitaries, guests, and members of the media.

The film’s release comes amid ongoing national debates over judicial impartiality and the balance between legal representation and political activism.

The message of “The Eastman Dilemma” seeks to spark a national conversation about fairness in the legal system and the rights of attorneys to provide counsel without fear of career-ending consequences.

Several high-profile attendees discussed on the red carpet the main themes surrounding the documentary and Trump’s second term in office including Eastman, Peter Navarro, Gen. Michael Flynn, David Freiheit, Kevin and Sam Sorbo, Michael Harris, Philip Nicozisis, and Gabriela Berrospi.

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John Eastman discusses the impartiality of the U.S. Justice System

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New film questions the fairness of the Justice System in politically charged cases

A newly released documentary, “The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice,” delves into the controversial legal battles surrounding John Eastman, a constitutional scholar and former adviser to President Donald Trump.

The film produced by the Madison Media Fund and released in early 2025, examines claims that Eastman and other conservative attorneys faced disproportionate professional repercussions for their legal defense of Trump following the 2020 presidential election.

Eastman, a Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute, has maintained his stance that his legal counsel was constitutionally justified, despite widespread criticism and professional consequences.

His involvement in the aftermath of the 2020 election, including disputes over electoral certifications, made him a target in high-profile investigations.

Eastman joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint Ashley Moody to U.S. Senate

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Florida’s Attorney General to replace Marco Rubio following his expected confirmation as Secretary of State

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Thursday his decision to appoint state Attorney General Ashley Moody to the U.S. Senate, pending Senator Marco Rubio’s expected confirmation as President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of State. Rubio, a two-term senator, is widely anticipated to step down after Trump’s inauguration, making way for Moody’s appointment.

Moody, who has served as Florida’s attorney general since 2019, has been a key political ally of DeSantis, often collaborating on high-profile legal challenges and conservative policy initiatives.

Her alignment with DeSantis on issues such as law enforcement support, immigration enforcement, and state autonomy has solidified her as a prominent figure in Florida’s political landscape.

DeSantis praised Moody’s qualifications and commitment to public service, stating she would bring a “principled, conservative voice” to Washington, D.C. Moody’s appointment would mark a continuation of the state’s GOP leadership in the Senate, reinforcing the Republican majority ahead of Trump’s administration taking office.

Rubio’s departure comes as Trump assembles a Cabinet filled with loyalists and prominent conservatives. His selection as Secretary of State underscores Trump’s focus on experienced political figures in key diplomatic roles.

Moody’s appointment to the Senate, if confirmed, would likely shape legislative debates on issues ranging from judicial reform to national security.

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