With Sally Warhaft, Les Hinton – Rupert Murdoch's right-hand man for more than 50 years – talks about the past, present and future of the mainstream press … as well as life alongside the man he calls ‘an authentic colossus’.

Sally Warhaft and Les Hinton — Photo: Jon Tjhia

Hinton has enjoyed both a close-up and a long view of the radical changes that have swept through the newspaper business. His new book, The Bootle Boy, is a memoir of his progress through the ranks of the Murdoch Empire.

Prior to stepping down in 2011, Hinton oversaw the administration of mastheads including the Times, the News of the World and Wall Street Journal; newspapers that, for better or for worse, shaped destinies and held a stake in world affairs.

In the book, Hinton gives an insider’s account of the media jostlings of major political figures, provides his own perspective on the phone-hacking scandal and reflects on changing revenue models for newspapers.

For this episode, Fifth Estate host Sally Warhaft welcomes Tracey Spicer to the Wheeler Centre for a conversation about her accomplished, diverse and fearless life and career in Australian journalism – and the challenges and opportunities arising from the popular movements seeking to correct entrenched sexist behaviour in the media and beyond.

Sally Warhaft and Tracey Spicer — Photo: Jon Tjhia

In a journalism and media career spanning three decades, you could say Tracey Spicer has seen it all. She’s reported locally, nationally and internationally for TV, radio, print and online, working in news, current affairs, documentary and lifestyle programmes. She’s been a reporter, editor, essayist, columnist, trainer, producer – and, of course, a newsreader and presenter.

As one of Australian media’s stalwarts, Spicer has seen the best and worst of the industry, especially in terms of its treatment of women. Her 2006 unfair dismissal case against Channel Ten signalled a shift in the fight against workplace discrimination. For Spicer, it was about standing up for all women. And Spicer’s advocacy extends beyond media – she’s been an ambassador for Dying with Dignity, ActionAid, World Vision, Cancer Council NSW and many more.