Nine Scores Own Goal In Pursuit of Ratings

The Nine Network might now officially be called 'the network that eats itself'.

Last month it was NRL commentator Matthew Johns. When news aired of a seven year old sexual indiscretion last month, the heat of spotlight was so great that he was axed from the network but not before getting a public, flagellation by tabloid show host Tracey Grimshaw - an interview that proved very lucrative for ratings.

This is despite the fact that Nine knew all about the incident before Johns was hired as a commentator and despite the fact that the network hired brother Andrew Jones who admitted to being a prolific illegal drug taker during his playing career.

This only came to light when Johns was arrested in the UK in 2007.

Now hungry for ratings, Nine (having slipped to number two behind the Seven Network in the news department) looks around for another person to make a meal of, today devouring another of its NRL commentating team, Ben Ikin.

It seems that Ben's father, businessman Alan Ikin is struggling in a number of business deals and investors are skittish about losing their money.

The story isn't breaking, business news observers have been aware of the ailing business ventures for some time - this is from a January story:

The buyout allows all existing removal contracts to be honoured by the new management team of four which assumes the day-to-day operations of the business from today.

In the meantime, administrator Nick Combis, of Vincents, is working with creditors on a deed-of-company arrangement for Ikin Move It Pty Ltd.

Mr Ikin has vowed he would repay all creditors in full.

It is unclear how much is owed to creditors, among them the Australian Taxation Office.

Ikin Move It Pty Ltd's financial problems stemmed from its relocation into new headquarters at Burleigh Heads last year from Varsity Lakes.

Should Ben Ikin be responsible for his ole dad's woes?

Journalists need think long and hard about what is news, what is gossip and what is muck racking.

There are plenty of journalists are full of integrity, there are others who are just full of it, but the advantage they have over the rest of us is that they can expect their colleagues to protect their positions.

However with the Internet being the 24/7 gossip clearing house, people with a basic Google search can find their fill of rumours and or indiscretions involving on air presenters - most of which you won't find leading the 6pm bulletins or breathlessly followed on tabloid TV.

There is the old warning: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." It's one well worth remembering.

UPDATE: Oops:

TRACY Grimshaw has fired back at foul-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay's vicious verbal assaults about her, saying she was absolutely miserable when she learned he'd described her as an old ugly pig and lesbian.