InDaily ready to shake things up in 2025
Adelaide’s only independent, South Australian-owned news organisation announces a new columnist ready to uncover “issues needing some sunlight”.
Starting next week, political reporting veteran and Channel 7 newsreader Mike Smithson will begin contributing a weekly column to InDaily.
Smithson is a 45-year news veteran who has covered everything from the Melbourne underbelly wars of the 1980s to European news as a foreign correspondent in London and then 25 years as a political correspondent in Adelaide.
“I have always been a huge admirer of InDaily and its independent, fearless and thought-provoking views on major issues of the day,” Smithson said.
“It’s led the way in so many areas and I look forward to pushing the buttons of those in high places.”
The multiple-award-winning journalist, who presents Channel 7’s weekend news, said he would use his decades of experience and connections to bring InDaily readers inside the state’s political scene.
“Those who know me and my journalistic style are well aware of the boundaries I push and the feathers I ruffle,” he said.
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“For those who don’t, hopefully, you’ll soon discover my views.
“InDaily is a great fit for uncovering issues needing some sunlight.”
InDaily Editorial Director Jim Plouffe said he was excited to work with Smithson to bring readers agenda-setting stories.
“There is no better person in South Australia than Mike to bring our readers inside the halls of power to uncover the stories that our leaders might not want the public to know,” Plouffe said.
“InDaily has always tried to have an in-depth look at the areas that are important to the lives of South Australians.
“With an election a year away and the state transforming its economy, Adelaide growing outward, and massive infrastructure projects underway, we want to bring readers the inside scoop on what’s going right and what’s going wrong. Mike is the guy to do that.”
Plouffe said that InDaily restructured the newsroom in the past months, leading to a rethink of how best to cover the state.
“It’s no secret that news outlets face challenging times right across the nation and the world at the moment,” Plouffe said.
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“To face the challenges, we will leave chasing ambulances and every press release to other outlets and instead delve into the issues important to South Australia and listening to the people involved.
“Expect more stories looking at the problems we face and their possible solutions. More stories on the people, places and events that make SA.”
Plouffe said that Smithson would bring a lifetime of local knowledge to a newsroom staffed by relatively young journalists.
“I am proud that InDaily attracts the best young talent in the state, and this gives us a fresh perspective on the state,” Plouffe said.
“Gone are the tropes of SA’s brain drain, the boring old city. Our journalists know the city back to front and who the future leaders will be. This excites me.”
The InDaily team brings you inside South Australia.
A revamped website showcases the amazing stories all the mastheads uncover, from lifestyle stories in SALIFE to culture stories in CityMag, arts coverage in InReview with new editor Walter Marsh and real estate in Premium Property.
“There is something for everyone,” Plouffe said.
Business news and insights will also be a priority in 2025.
“The state is transforming its economy and we are here to cover it,” Plouffe said.
“Our Business Editor David Simmons does a great job bringing readers the latest news and opinion in our Business Insight newsletter each Monday morning.
“Corporate Ladder is a must-read each week, for example, and forms the historical record of the state.”
