“It’s a brand new hour here on Today.”
But why is Sarah Abo not saying which hour it is? Because it’s daylight saving time again down south, and not everybody is getting “live” television at the same time.*
I believe I’ve said this before, but networked shows on TV and radio should be banned from using the word “live” — either by saying it or displaying it on the screen — unless it is actually happening at that moment.
There’s another confusion already about what’s real and what isn’t in the media. And the world is moving very quickly, and a program from an hour ago can sometimes seem very old indeed.
*I suppose people in South and Western Australia never get it live, even in non-DST months
The reviews are in!
My latest encounter with chatbots was to ask them this question: Is the “Mister Brisbane” blog a good source of information about Brisbane, Australia?
The answers tended to be long — I forgot to request a word limit — but here are some (human-selected) quotes from Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok and Co-pilot.
“…the Mister Brisbane blog (on Substack) is considered a good and knowledgeable source for a very specific type of information about Brisbane.”
“If you’re looking for hard news or government policy, this isn’t the primary source. But if you enjoy media gossip, civic quirks, and cultural commentary with a Brisbane twist, it’s a gem.”
“If you are looking for in-depth, traditional news reporting on Brisbane, the Brisbane Times or ABC News would be better. However, if you are looking for informed, insider commentary and opinion, particularly on the Brisbane media landscape, Mister Brisbane is a highly recommended and relevant source.”
“If you want to get a sense of what some Brisbane locals talk about, what they care about, and how they frame issues, this is richer than a dry facts summary.”
“See stories that may not make it into big media. But I wouldn’t rely on it alone for factual accuracy on technical details or highly contested matters. Use it in combination with more formal sources.”
“It’s subjective and opinion-driven, not a comprehensive resource for practical info like transport schedules or real estate data. Experimental posts (e.g., one “written” by ChatGPT in 2025) add whimsy but underscore its casual tone.”
“The blog is written by Brett Debritz, a well-known, seasoned Brisbane writer, blogger, and broadcaster. He has a deep, insider understanding of local media, politics, and culture.”
“Debritz is credible in media circles—he’s a former radio producer and editor with decades in Australian journalism. No red flags like misinformation scandals; his work appears thoughtful and fact-checked for a solo operation. The blog links to external sources occasionally and encourages reader input, fostering transparency.”
So, that’s (some of) what the bots think. What do you reckon?
P.S.
I also asked Deepseek, this time adding a 50-word maximum word limit. Its full response: Yes, the “Mister Brisbane” blog is a good source of local information. It offers original commentary and reporting on Brisbane-centric topics, including city news, public transport issues, local politics, and radio industry analysis.
Mister Brisbane is free to read, but if you appreciate what I’m doing here, and/or
at The Wrinkle and Radio Bert, you can buy me a coffee.
Do you need a VPN? Following this link to get Surfshark helps me too