‘This is a public-relations disaster on many levels’: Kim Williams meets with angry ABC staffers over radio host movements
ABC chair Kim Williams has personally met with staffers from ABC Radio Sydney in an attempt to quell anger over recent executive decisions that have seen a number of high profile presenters removed from the airwaves.
This comes after ABC Radio Sydney staff sent a strongly worded letter to the board expressing disappointment and bewilderment at recent changes that have seen Sarah Macdonald and Simon Marnie‘s shows axed, and the retirement of Robbie Buck and Richard Glover.
“We are public broadcasters,” the letter reads. “They fund us to provide information, entertainment and company. This only succeeds when a genuine relationship is created between listener or viewer and us, the broadcasters. Fundamental to this relationship is trust.”
This story is beyond tired. It’s unprofessional and frankly embarrassing to see ABC staffers leaking info and white-anting the very organisation they claim to be fighting for. No one is entitled to a gig for life—especially with ABC Radio Sydney’s poor ratings. Leadership is trying to improve things, and the moral high ground disappears pretty quickly when you’re busy burning the place down on your way out.
Ignore audience feedback and staff morale at your peril. Too many out of touch men in leadership in the ABC.
You can tell that the other 2 comments here, that they are not regular listeners of the abc.
The staff are certainly not “white anting” but expressing their dismay at the way things have been handled and what the average abc listeners wants.
This is just pure rubbish that “ratings” are falling. These are the words of people who rarely and if ever listen to the abc.
These broadcasters are the very fabric of what the listeners want to hear.
If it ain’t broken, then why try to “fix” it ??
Why get rid of a couple of the best broadcasters on radio ??
Ben Latimer needs to go back to commercial radio, and take these “fly by nighters” with him.
They’ve had to act, ratings are tanking and they needed the salary cap. Only re-airing old Joe Rogan podcasts can save the ABC.
Sarah McDonald had increased her ratings.
Williams is about to experience first hand that the ABC is going to behave the same or worse than Newscorp did when it’s faced with change or having to adapt eve slightly to its audience.
The audience as far as these people are concerned is themselves and people like them. The ABC is about the audience adapting to the voices within the org, not the other way around.
“None of them truly understand public broadcasting and they have made little effort to comprehend the nature of local radio.”
That is some elitist rubbish right there.
The abc is about quality not quantity. It’s the only place you can get good radio.Don’t dumb it down,.
Can’t help but wonder if the pro-change commentary on Mumbrella is actually being posted by the instigator(s) behind the changes to ABC’s radio host lineup.
ABC Radio Sydney staff have presented in their letter to the ABC board a compelling case that shows a deeper understanding of the role of the broadcaster in listener’s lives than those making the changes.
Just hope Williams et al are able to swallow their pride and reverse their recent contravercial decisions.
Dismayed and disgusted
by the lack of understanding that the ABC “powers that be” have shown . Mr Latimer, Mr Williams & Co. should remove themselves from the disastrous decision making that is causing this wonderful institution to fail. The likes of these people show no knowledge or empathy whatsoever. Please replace them with others who know what our National Broadcaster stands for….community, truthful reporting, understanding, and faith in our country. As Sarah MacDonald says “peace, love and strength “ so needed in our world today.
It’s shameful that these newcomers want to mold our ABC into a more generic experience. Are they going to announce a move to commercial advertising next ?
REP “public broadcaster” “leftist echo chamber” * *
ThE ABC Management claim that they’re trying for a younger Audience, what next, putting Kile & Jacky O on 702 breakfast?????
In protest against Sarah’s sacking, I will no longer be listening to the ABC in that time slot.
I thought the ABC represented us, the Australian listening public!
You have made a grave mistake.