Peter Meakin

Peter Meakin is an Australian journalist and the head of news and current affairs at the Seven Network. He worked at the Nine Network for three decades, eventually becoming director of current affairs in 1987 and the head of news and current affairs in 1993; [cite news|first=Michael|last=Idato|coauthors=Saville, Margot|authorlink=Michael Idato|title=Ray's back, but Nine's at sixes and sevens|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/10/1044725734952.html|work=The Age|date=2003-02-11|accessdate=2007-11-20] he was credited with the ratings success of programs including "Sunday", "60 Minutes" and "A Current Affair". [ [http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s121062.htm Media Watch 2000 ] ] He was awarded a Walkley Award for leadership in journalism in 2002. [cite news|first=Michael|last=Idato|coauthors=Saville, Margot|authorlink=Michael Idato|title=Nine chief joins enemy|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/10/1044725736584.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2003-02-11|accessdate=2007-11-20] In 2003 he left the network acrimoniously to join the rival Seven Network. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/am/stories/s781431.htm AM - Peter Meakin changes channel ] ] In 2007 Meakin was convicted of drink driving and sentenced to 14 months periodic detention; he had attempted to evade police at a booze bus and two officers had to take evasive action to avoid being struck by Mr Meakin's car. [cite news|title=Meakin gets weekend jail|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/peter-meakin-guilty/2007/05/31/1180205389336.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2007-05-31|accessdate=2007-11-20] The incident was later parodied on the comedy series "The Chaser's War on Everything". [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22643061-22822,00.html Chaser recruits Meakin | The Australian ] ]

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