Leonardo Puglisi

Leonardo Puglisi
Puglisi in June 2026
Born (2007-11-12) 12 November 2007
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Education2013–2019: Hawthorn West Primary School
2020–2025: Secondary school
OccupationsJournalist, news presenter
Years active2019–present
EmployerSelf employed
Known forFounding 6 News Australia

Leonardo Puglisi (/pʌɡˈliːsi/ pug-lee-see;[1] born 12 November 2007) is an Australian journalist. He is the founder of online news channel 6 News Australia.[2] He lives in Melbourne, Victoria.[2]

Career

Puglisi began his media career in 2019, founding what was then initially known as HMV Local News but rebranded in 2020 as 6 News.[3] Puglisi first came to attention in 2020 when he covered the secretive demolition of a bell tower at Hawthorn West Primary School in Hawthorn, Victoria.[4]

He has been the subject of a number of conspiracy theories, including that he was a "front" for the Morrison government and that he was being funded by Rupert Murdoch.[5]

Since April 2026, Puglisi has been a regular Crikey contributor.[6] In July 2026, the ownership of 6 News was transferred to Puglisi from Atelier Puglisi Pty Ltd.[7][8]

Notable interviews

Advocacy

Puglisi is a prominent advocate against the social media age restrictions in Australia.[13][14] He criticised the lack of consultation with the young people affected by the laws and noted that his career would not exist if the ban had been implemented earlier.[14]

Personal life

Puglisi was born in Melbourne and grew up in Hawthorn, Victoria.[15] He attended Hawthorn West Primary School until 2019[4][16], and completed secondary school in 2026. Puglisi is currently studying at University.

Puglisi is a supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).[17] He also supports the Preston Bullants in the Victorian Football League (VFL), volunteering as the club's media manager in 2024 and 2025, prior to the club entering voluntary liquidation.[18][19]

Awards

Year Award Category ResultRef.
2024 Boorondara Youth Awards Leadership (Junior) Won [20]
2025 Young Australian of the Year Victoria Nominated [21]

References

  1. ↑ 10 News First Melbourne [@10NewsFirstMelb] (28 May 2020). "We love our news junkies here at @Channel10AU, and now we've found a young Melbourne man who we think could qualify as one of the best. He's only 12 years old but already Leonardo Puglisi fronts his own news channel. | @NatashaExelby" (Tweet) – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. 1 2 3 Tong, Karen (7 April 2022). "Teen reporters Leonardo Puglisi and Roman Mackinnon interview Prime Minister Scott Morrison for 6 News". The Drum. Retrieved 2 August 2022 – via ABC News.
  3. ↑ "About us". 6 News Australia. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  4. 1 2 Webb, Carolyn (18 June 2020). "How Melbourne's Leonardo, boy journalist, scooped the big guns". The Age. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  5. ↑ "Left-wing critics levelling 'crazy, crazy' conspiracy theories against high-school fact checker". Sky News. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Archives for Leonardo Puglisi". crikey.com.au. Crikey. Archived from the original on 27 May 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Current details for ABN 80 567 347 345". ABN Register. Archived from the original on 23 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Review of the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code" (PDF). treasury.gov.au. Public Interest Journalism Initiative.
  9. ↑ "Anthony Albanese 'grilled' by teen journalists". news.com.au. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  10. 1 2 Elias, Michelle (15 April 2022). "Scott Morrison, Bob Katter and juggling school: the story behind teen journos at 6 News". SBS News. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Puglisi, Leonardo (28 June 2024). "Fatima Payman says floor-crossing won't be 'one-off gesture' in her first interview since Senate vote". 6 News Australia. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  12. ↑ "Larissa Waters reacts to federal budget on 6 News". Youtube. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  13. ↑ Roberts, Georgia and Gordon, Oliver (14 June 2024). "6 News anchor Leonardo Puglisi slams bi-partisan under 16 social media ban". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  14. 1 2 Burgess, Natalie (9 December 2024). "'Jumped the gun': experts react to teen social media ban". ANU Reporter. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  15. ↑ "Teen news boss criticises Australian social media ban". France 24. Archived from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  16. ↑ Bakan, Sezen (1 September 2025). "6 News founder labels social media age ban 'ineffective'". Public Interest Journalism Initiative. Archived from the original on 8 September 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  17. ↑ "Tom Mitchell reveals the 's**t' act that made him quit Hawthorn". News.com.au. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "Bullants return to the Preston FC name, call on community for financial support". VFL Footy. NorthPort. Archived from the original on 12 January 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "Notice of Appointment as Liquidator: Preston Football Club". Australian Securities and Investments Commission. 17 December 2025. Archived from the original on 28 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  20. ↑ "Youth Award winners 2024". boroondara.vic.gov.au. Boorondara City Council. Archived from the original on 27 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "Leonardo Puglisi Founder, 6 News Australia". australianoftheyear.org.au. Australian of the Year Awards. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
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