Derryn Hinch may be gone, but his lessons for the media remain

July 12, 2026 — 5:00am

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Of the many tributes to the late broadcaster, politician and activist Derryn Hinch since his death on Friday, the most salient was delivered by the former television executive Peter Meakin.

Meakin, who spent five decades leading news and current affairs coverage at the Seven, Nine and Ten networks, described his friend as one of the last practitioners of the “information business”.

“I won’t say news business, because Derryn was a lot more than just news,” he said. “But in the information business, there’s not too many colourful characters left.”

Meakin’s analysis touches on one of the many reasons why the 82-year-old Hinch’s death has resonated across Australia.

Yes, Hinch lived an extraordinary life. Yes, his........

© Brisbane Times