Inside Media: Andrew O’Keefe’s nasty run-in with paparazzi as Ten finds itself in Big Brother trouble

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THIS IS NOT JOURNALISM

What’s the difference between the paparazzi and a stalker? Ask most celebrities and they’ll answer “not much”.

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This week, 7NEWS ran footage of an altercation between a “pap” and former TV host Andrew O’Keefe. It’s been a big fall from grace for O’Keefe who was a TV darling before succumbing to a drug addition, one he still appears to be battling.

In the footage, O’Keefe is leaving a police station after ‘routine reporting’ as part of his bail conditions. What happens next is a verbal argument between O’Keefe and the paparazzi photographer, which included the following exchange:

Paparazzi : Big weekend, mate?

This appears to be a reference to the apparent overdose O’Keefe reportedly suffered last weekend. He was revived by paramedics.

A verbal exchange follows:

Paparazzi : You’re a degenerate, mate. You’re a f**king degenerate. That’s what you are. You’re a degenerate, man.

Andrew O’Keefe: Is that right?

The argument continues as O’Keefe gets into his car:

Paparazzi : Look who’s a little piece of sh*t, you little degenerate.

Andrew O’Keefe: I’ve reported your asses, [inaudible].

Paparazzi : Go on you f**kwit.

Andrew O’Keefe: Mate, you make a living out of dirt.

Paparazzi : No, you’re a degenerate little piece of sh*t, you little sh*t.

Andrew O’Keefe: You are a piece of dirt, mate.

Paparazzi : Go f**k yourself.

Andrew O’Keefe: You make a living out of [inaudible] other people. Leeching off other people.

Paparazzi : Go and abuse some women, mate. Whoa. Go and abuse some women, mate.

O’Keefe was sentenced to an an 18-month good behaviour bond after being found guilty of assaulting a woman during an argument in 2021. It’s an insult that would have cut deep.

You can see the unedited raw footage in the video player above

Before I go on, let me be very clear on two points:

1. The paparazzi photographer had every right to be filming Andrew O’Keefe leaving the police station – it’s a public place.

2. 7NEWS had every right to air the footage. It’s a newsworthy story and the network was fair and balanced in its reporting by showing both sides of the argument.

Having said that, I found the footage confronting as a viewer. It is obvious the paparazzi photographer was trying to goad O’Keefe into losing his cool, therefore making the footage more valuable.

But is it ethical?

There’s no doubt O’Keefe is a very troubled man, with a very serious addiction. I’ve worked with Andrew, been at events with him and loved his company. His downfall in the years since has been devastating to watch.

Drug addiction has very serious consequences.

And while his story is absolutely newsworthy, what is the line between reporting news and creating news? If Seven, or any other network, had been covering this story with their own crew it would have been a sackable offence if its employees had behaved in the same manner as the paparazzi photographer.

Paparazzi are not journalists – there is a big difference between the two jobs. While both have a role to play, make sure you understand the difference when you see scenes like this.

POWER STRUGGLES AT NINE

As the Nine Network grapples with the resignation of CEO Mike Sneesby, only months after the resignation of Chairman Peter Costello, and the expected fallout out of a report into the culture at the organisation focusing on sexual harassment and bullying, a power struggle is playing out that will affect its future direction.

The Australian Financial Review reported billionaire Bruce Gordon’s WIN TV “is close to offloading its northern NSW TV station, paving the way for him to increase his stake in Nine Entertainment to 25 per cent”.

That station is Northern Rivers Television and Gordon’s ownership of that asset has hampered his ambitions regarding Nine, due to Australia’s cross media ownership laws – the station is the regional affiliate of Channel 10 in Coffs Harbour. Nine is a direct competitor.

Currently Gordon has one seat on Nine’s board, but upping his stake in the company would strengthen his case for greater board representation.

How would that affect the business?

Well, he would be a powerful voice regarding the choice of CEO but it could also lead to some serious cost cutting.

Gordon is the owner of WIN TV, the regional affiliate of Nine. He knows how to keep costs down – I remember complaints from Nine Adelaide and Perth when he owned those stations that employees had to bring their own tea and sugar.

But Gordon is also a TV guy and some suggest he might push to sell off the publishing division in a fire sale as a way to reduce costs. Sources say News Corp is particularly interested in acquiring the AFR but might have to compete with billionaire Andrew Forrest.

So, while the media focuses on who will be Nine’s new CEO, the main game to watch is what happens with Bruce Gordon.

That’s the real story here.

BIG PROBLEMS FOR BIG BROTHER

In Monday’s edition of INSIDE MEDIA I reported on the surprise announcement of Big Brother returning to 10.

Well, it turns out it was something of a surprise to the folks at Seven, too.

TV Tonight reported Seven has sent a legal letter to production company Endemol Shine Australia enforcing its “hold back” clause.

As an industry source explained to the publication: “A ‘hold back’ effectively prevents negotiations commencing with another broadcaster until the day after the hold back finishes. You can’t start production in the middle. You can’t be casting, you can’t be announcing hosts. You can’t be announcing deals.”

INSIDE MEDIA has confirmed this reporting with sources saying Seven is not trying to stop Ten from making the show, they are only enforcing a contract between the two parties.

Seven aired a ‘Survivor in a warehouse’ version of the format from 2020-2023.

To be very clear: the ‘hold back’ clause means Ten and Endemol Shine Australia cannot have a deal in place. In my experience, networks and production companies take this clause very seriously and a signed deal would leave both companies compromised legally.

It means Ten has made the announcement without a contract in place and no guarantee they will be able to obtain the rights when they become available (although that scenario is highly unlikely).

It’s a big gamble from the network and one that could end up exploding in their face. As it stands the ‘hold back’ clause means Ten would not be able to start production of the show until mid-2025.

Sources say the most likely scenario is a financial settlement which would increase the expected $25m budget of the show as it reverts back to a live format.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE’S ‘HOSTAGE VIDEO’

Is there anything more cringeworthy than a celebrity making a public safety statement to avoid a harsh penalty?

The latest example is Justin Timberlake, who was pulled over by police in June for running a stop sign and swerving into the oncoming lane. The singer/actor was charged with driving while intoxicated in the Hamptons, according to police.

As part of a plea deal, Timberlake has agreed to appear in a public service announcement about the dangers of drunk driving.

He started the campaign immediately outside court when he addressed the media, saying: “I found myself in a position where I could’ve made a different decision. But I’ve had some time to reflect on that.”

“What I’d like to say to everyone watching and listening: Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car. There’s so many alternatives. Call a friend, take an Uber.”

Being a celebrity certainly comes with its advantages when it comes to getting out of sticky situations.

It could have been worse though, he could have been forced to front a ‘hostage’ video like the one Johnny Depp and Amber Heard had to make after illegally bringing their dogs Pistol and Boo into our country.

Eight years later it’s still worth a watch!