The story everyone in media is talking about: Panic at Channel Ten as Narelda Jacobs’ activist inner circle takes over the newsroom – and bosses are too scared to stop her: ‘Completely compromised’

Furious Channel Ten Insiders Claim Network’s Newsroom Was ‘Completely Compromised’ By Allowing Influential Host’s Wife to Attend editorial production meetings.

Narelda Jacobs’ wife, Karina Natt, recently appeared in the newsroom at Ten’s Pyrmont headquarters, Sydney. Ms Natt, until recently a Greens powerbroker, is now Jacobs’ talent manager.

Sources have also raised concerns about Jacobs, a Whadjuk Noongar woman, using 10 News First’s lunch and afternoon bulletins as a platform for activist causes – including her sympathetic reporting on the imprisonment of a Perth grandmother Japan.

An internal critic told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Natt has appeared at Ten’s headquarters several times and during some of them visits, attend editorial discussions about Jacobs’ program. Her last appearance at Ten was last Thursday.

In addition, Jacobs would also seek advice on news stories from a close network of influential friends outside the organization, known as ‘the Clitorati’.

That consultation, plus her sympathetic reporting on the criminal case against Indigenous grandmother and romance scam victim Donna Nelson in a Japanese court this month, has sparked anger within the walls of Network Ten.

“The editorial staff feels completely compromised and its reputation for independence is threatened,” said a former Ten employee.

‘For some strange reason [Jacobs] seems untouchable and no one knows why.

“It’s an insult to all of us who walk a fine line every day – the way that show is presented. They’re too scared of her upstairs to do anything about it.’

The insider pointed to Jacobs’ reporting on Ms. Nelson’s arrest – and eventual conviction – to accuse Jacobs of being overly sympathetic during what should be neutral reporting.

A Network Ten spokesperson stressed that external parties have no influence over the editorial process or decision-making at Ten and that the network’s news department is independent and impartiality is “at the heart of everything it does”.

Nelson, 58, was arrested upon arrival in Japan last January and charged with importing 2kg of methamphetamine into the country from Laos.

Her defense team told the court she was essentially the victim of a romance scam and believed she was shipping a sample item for her new lover’s fashion store into the country, and not drugs.

“If I had known or even suspected that there were illegal drugs in the suitcase, I would never have agreed to carry it,” Nelson told the Japanese court.

On December 4, the court ruled that Nelson had been misled, but also convicted her of drug smuggling and sentenced her to six years in prison.

Jacobs has been following the story closely in her news bulletins, on The Project and regular updates on her social media pages this year, including posting family statements and conducting an interview with Nelson’s daughter Ashlee Charles on Ten a day after the verdict.

Jacobs opened that interview by describing the verdict as “devastating” news. She then asked a question about how “selfless” Nelson was.

“Ashlee, your mother released a statement from her attorneys stating that she cried in the courtroom, not because of herself, but because of the impact on the family,” Jacobs said. “Her words give insight into how selfless she is?”

Charles said, “Yeah, sure, she’s always thinking about everyone else instead of herself, and the truth is, we’re all worried about her and how she’s taking it.”

Jacobs further noted that in handing down the sentence, “the judge said that your mother was a marginal participant and that there was room for sympathy. But if there is a conviction, what do you think that means?’

Charles: ‘Um, maybe a lesser sentence. Perhaps they took into account that they do have sympathy for Mom, so they gave her less time than could have been done.’

Jacobs: ‘Does it feel like a lesser punishment to you?’

Charles: “No, it feels like it’s been too long for an innocent person like my mother.”

Jacobs then gave a non-binding ‘mmm’.

Jacobs broadcast an interview on Ten with Australian lawyer Dr. Felicity Gerry KC, a human trafficking expert who played a key role in saving Filipino maid Mary Jane Veloso from a firing squad in Indonesia in 2015.

In that interview, Jacobs asked Dr. Gerry: ‘How can the legal argument in Mary Jane’s case apply to Donna Nelson?’ and ‘what should the Australian government do here?’

Dr. Gerry said Australia must “protect the people we call victim-offenders – victims of human trafficking who actually commit crimes” and pointed to a legal mechanism in some Southeast Asian countries that does that.

Jacobs asked, “Does Japan have that mechanism?”

Dr. Gerry said Japan is committed to the same piece of international law, adding that “vulnerable women are sometimes tricked into carrying drugs and should be protected rather than punished.”

Producers often write questions for newsreaders, who then choose whether or not to ask them. It is not suggested that Jacobs’ wife has written down questions to ask – only that she has occasionally been present with Ten.

A critic of Jacobs within Ten accused her of essentially campaigning for Nelson during a news bulletin. ‘This is extraordinary. “Implying that she was wrongly convicted is not journalism,” they said.

Daily Mail Australia asked Jacobs and Network Ten about the internal criticism, Ms Natt’s actions on the newsroom floor and production meetings, and the so-called ‘Clitorati’.

A Network Ten spokesperson said: ‘Network 10’s news department is independent and impartiality is at the heart of everything it does.

‘Neither external parties nor individuals have any influence over the editorial process nor are they involved in editorial discussions and decision-making.’

Jacobs did not respond to questions. Jacobs has worked at Network Ten for more than 20 years, starting in the Perth newsroom.

Ms Natt was until recently chief of staff to South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Ms Natt announced a career change in a LinkedIn post last year. She made it clear that she was looking forward to supporting the Yes campaign [for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament] with Narelda Jacobs, outside the bubble where it matters most’.

Ms Natt’s LinkedIn page now lists her occupation as director and talent manager of Baayah Pty Ltd, a company owned by her and Jacobs. The website for the company is nareldajacobs.com.

In addition to being a journalist, Jacobs also describes herself as a presenter, commentator and MC, and on her website she states that she shares her “lived experience on panels that give back to the community through various ambassadorial and board positions.”

The couple announced they were having a baby last week, thanks to thanks from friends and loved ones, including former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins and Bindi Irwin.