Network 10 is currently advertising applications for the 2027 series of Junior MasterChef Australia, while Endemol Shine Australia has confirmed that Meghan Markle will appear as a special guest.

Yet amid the latest international media storm surrounding Meghan Markle and her family, one very important issue appears to be getting forgotten: THE CHILDREN.

Meghan Markle continues to attract extraordinary international media attention, with ongoing family disputes, public controversies and intense scrutiny generating headlines and widespread discussion across social media.

Whatever people's opinions of Meghan Markle, the reality is that her involvement in almost any public event can generate international coverage extending well beyond the event itself.

So why should young Australian children potentially become caught up in the consequences of that publicity?

Our primary concern is the welfare, privacy and protection of the children participating in Junior MasterChef Australia. These children are entering Junior MasterChef Australia to showcase their culinary talents, creativity and passion for cooking. They are not entering a competition to become associated with the intense international media attention surrounding Meghan Markle and her family.

Given Meghan Markle's international profile, photographs and footage featuring young contestants alongside her can reasonably be expected to circulate internationally, potentially exposing them to unwanted publicity, online commentary, speculation and scrutiny entirely unrelated to their achievements.

With international media outlets, commentators and social media accounts closely following developments involving Meghan Markle, images of Australian children appearing alongside her can reasonably be expected to attract attention far beyond the programme's intended audience.

Once those images enter the international media landscape, neither the children nor their parents can fully control where they appear, how they are shared or how long they remain accessible.

NETWORK 10 IS NOW INVITING APPLICATIONS – BUT WHAT ARE PARENTS BEING TOLD?

Network 10's official casting page is inviting applications for Junior MasterChef Australia.

Parents considering this opportunity deserve to understand the potential implications of their children appearing alongside a celebrity currently attracting such intense international attention.

We ask Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia:

1. Are parents being specifically informed that Meghan Markle is scheduled to appear as a special guest?
2. Are parents being advised that their children's images may attract international attention through association with Meghan Markle and the ongoing publicity surrounding her?
3. Have producers assessed the consequences of photographs and footage featuring young contestants alongside Meghan Markle circulating internationally, and what measures will be taken to protect the children from unwanted exposure?
4. What safeguards will protect contestants from unwanted publicity, online harassment, inappropriate commentary and the unauthorised circulation of their images?
5. Will parents have a meaningful opportunity to make an informed decision about their children's appearance alongside Meghan Markle?
6. Given the ongoing controversies and extraordinary international scrutiny surrounding Meghan Markle and her family, why is her involvement necessary in a programme centred on young Australian children at this particular time?

CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE DRAWN INTO ADULT CONTROVERSIES

For the avoidance of doubt, Beyond Australia is not accusing Meghan Markle of criminal wrongdoing, unlawful conduct or posing a direct danger to children. Our concerns relate solely to the international media attention surrounding her and her family, and the potential consequences for the privacy, welfare and wellbeing of young Australian contestants.

It is about the potential consequences of associating young Australian children with a public figure attracting intense international media attention. They should not have their names, faces or achievements drawn into international celebrity debates that have nothing whatsoever to do with cooking.

Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia must consider whether the publicity generated by Meghan Markle's appearance justifies the additional and unnecessary international exposure of young contestants.

We therefore call upon both organisations to reconsider Meghan Markle's involvement before filming commences and publicly explain what safeguards will protect the privacy and wellbeing of participating children.

Junior MasterChef Australia should be remembered for the extraordinary talents of its young contestants, not for the international controversies surrounding an invited celebrity.

PUT THE CHILDREN FIRST. PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY. KEEP JUNIOR MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA ABOUT THE CHILDREN.

Beyond Australia
Media & Public Advocacy