At 14 years old and still bound by a high school timetable, Leo Puglisi doesn't exactly fit the typical mould of a broadcast reporter.
But his interviews with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Independent MP Bob Katter and former prime minister Kevin Rudd show Leo and his ten-strong team of young reporters are proof his online news channel is making a mark.
It was a few months ago when 6 News' political reporter Roman Mackinnon, a ripe 13, reached out to the prime minister's office on a whim. It paid off, with an interview that saw a level of pushback from the prime minister that they didn't expect.
When Leo enquired about a Crikey article listing Mr Morrison's "lies and falsehoods", the prime minister said: "That's not a good start. If you're starting with Crikey and you're talking about credibility, it's not a good start."
But for Leo, the pushback fired him up.
Despite his nerves in the lead-up to the interview, it was undetectable when he doubled down, asking Mr Morrison: “You don’t think Australians are interested if their leader tells the truth or not?”
Founding and growing 6 News Australia
Leo recounts his first media appearance (on the now-defunct Ben, Rob + Robbo show) with a slight cringe. He had no microphone and a questionable internet source.
Even now, he said he sometimes doesn't know if his equipment will make it - he doesn't have as many resources as SBS, Leo jokes.
But his set-up and content production has come a long way since he decided to inject his passion for news and public speaking into an online news outlet three years ago when he was just 11.
Leo Puglisi prepares for filming from a set-up in his Melbourne home.
“It became very serious [in 2020] because we saw the appetite for independent news, unbiased news and stuff on digital platforms too. So, we expanded," Leo told The Feed.
The 6 News Australia style is akin to commercial broadcasters, with a composed Leo as the chief news anchor.
The team even includes a US correspondent, Jackson Gosnell, now 18, who stepped up during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2020 US Election.
To join, all prospective team members have a short interview with Leo where they send a small sample of work and have to demonstrate a serious interest in journalism. In Roman’s case, he reached out to Leo via email.
A chuffed Leo tells The Feed the first 6 News reporter is now working for Channel Nine.
Contrary to what some might think, it's serious business, with Leo even being the subject of online hate.
The worst type of comment is the "patronising stuff", Leo said.
A few weeks ago, Twitter users fired up at Leo, saying he was not qualified to be a journalist. But he vehemently disagrees.
"I think it takes passion. I think it takes you wanting the truth. I think it takes it takes impartiality," Leo said.
Leo Puglisi of 6 News Australia interviews Independent MP Bob Katter. Credit: 6 News Australia
During school hours, scheduled socials posts go out to social media platforms. There are daily stories, a Sunday bulletin with crosses to other reporters, and lengthy interviews with politicians.
Its 15-minute news bulletin on 10 April, presented on YouTube, featured coverage of the federal election announcement - including references to 6 News's interview with Mr Morrison - the war in Ukraine and lengthy delays at Australian airports.
While its Twitter account largely features political stories, it also covers police stories and recently posted eyewitness pictures of a car crash in Melbourne.
When they're not scripting, shooting, writing or posting, Aussie Rules games and video games occupy Leo and Roman.
"I just usually don't get as much time because I'm also watching a 14-minute speech from the National Press Club that I need to fact check by a deadline in an hour," Leo said.
Do their parents help? Sure, sometimes, but strictly with the practical hurdles that come with being a teen journalist. When Roman is on the road, it's a parent behind the wheel.
“With the greatest respect to my dad, he's not tech-savvy. He could not do this. It would be ridiculous to say he does," Leo said.
“And you know, my mum, I have to help her open Word documents.”
'Our ambitions have changed'
After the interview with the prime minister, 6 News Australia saw an uptick in viewers and subscribers. Now, Roman and Leo are hoping Opposition leader Anthony Albanese will agree to their interview requests.
Asked whether an interview with the prime minister in the lead up to a federal election has been the highlight of their journey so far, the pair take a minute to think.
It's a "yes" from Roman, and a "top ten", from Leo.
Leo's first media appearance, and covering the bushfires in 2020 are the other surreal memories he throws into the mix too.
With campaigning kicking off ahead of the 21 May federal election, the pair are grateful they're on school holidays.
Sometimes it's hard to manage, Leo explains, but he's thankful there's now a team behind him that shares his passion.
"We're going to be live on the night. It sounds crazy, but we're going to try to compete with the majors, we're gonna get some big-name interviews lined up, " he said
"If you asked me a couple years ago whether I wanted to work at a mainstream outlet, I'd probably say ‘yes’... But seeing the appetite, we're not going anywhere anytime soon."
