Young journalist Leonardo Puglisi in his studio (Supplied)

Seven West Media’s new daily newsletter, The Nightly, launched a fortnight ago to much fanfare in Western Australia, signing up a host of high-profile columnists and contributors including former editor-in-chief of The Australian Chris Dore, as well as investigative reporter Kristin Shorten and culture critic Wenlei Ma. 

Seven has also called on its various television and sporting assets to bring aboard former Sunrise host David Koch on finance, and former Test fast bowler Mitchell Johnson on cricket. 

One name out of left field, however, is 16-year-old Leo Puglisi, who leads and founded online outlet 6 News. Puglisi started 6 News when he was 11 and has amassed a personal online following of over 50,000 people on X (formerly Twitter), on top of 6 News’ 30,000 followers, by employing a small team of fellow children reporting breaking news.

This following was evidently attractive to The Nightly’s editor in chief Anthony De Ceglie, who approached Puglisi about becoming a columnist for the new venture. Crikey understands Puglisi was approached last week about penning a fortnightly column, with De Ceglie interested in Puglisi’s political coverage. 

It is understood Puglisi declined the offer, still being a full-time Year 11 student. 

De Ceglie’s position as editor in chief of The Nightly doubles alongside his role as editor in chief of The West Australian. The West Australian and 6 News have not always enjoyed a happy relationship. 

Just over a month ago, when Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas appeared to call the Australian Open women’s final a “reserves game” during a press conference, 6 News posted footage on Twitter that went viral. When later context revealed Zempilas appeared not to be speaking in reference to the Australian Open women’s final, 6 News removed the tweet and released a statement stating it would review its verification practices. The West Australian subsequently ran a story titled: “6 News Australia to review practices after online storm erupts over fake news”.

6 News maintained it did not selectively edit the clip, stating it used a stream from partner organisation WAMN in Western Australia that went live at an unfortunate time.

“We didn’t edit out comments because on the feed, they were not there,” Puglisi said on social media. 

“If you [had] contacted me I would’ve explained this.”

Crikey contacted De Ceglie and asked whether he anticipated challenges recruiting Puglisi given the recent story in The West Australian about 6 News. 

De Ceglie did not respond for comment.

Puglisi told Crikey that he “[doesn’t] comment on whether other news outlets have offered me opportunities or not. 6 News is continuing to grow and I’m not going anywhere.”

The Nightly, reportedly commissioned by chair Kerry Stokes over concerns about Seven West’s diminishing political influence in the east, has also enjoyed backing from mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

The Australian Financial Review reported there are factional fractures within Seven West over the resources at the company being dedicated to the newsletter, as the company struggles with an industry-wide advertising downturn. 

Seven West in February reported its half-year profits were down 53%, with stocks tanking and total revenue down 4.8%. The company also faces other financial challenges sparked by the withdrawal of Meta from its news deals, with the US tech giant’s recent decision estimated to cost Seven West between 5-9% of annual net profit.