The Daily Telegraph’s Sydney Confidential column today reports the 2GB newsroom is “reeling” following the recent departure of six reporters.

Brett Zarb, Matt Thompson, Ilka Burnham-King, Lee Steele, Meredith Marks and Amie Kersten are the journalists reported to have left since Ian Ferguson was appointed Macquarie news director four months ago.

2GB Morning presenter Ray Hadley hit out at the claims on his show this morning and has responded to the column exclusively for radioinfo.

“It’s nonsense…The people have, as our news director points out, gone to further their careers.

“One in particular Brett Zarb, whom we all have a great regard for, was about to join my show while my producers were on maternity leave.

“He came to me and spoke about the chance to go to a government minister, Carl Scully, as his principal media person.

“He went with my best wishes.

“Matt Thompson who worked his way up here in the sports department got the chance to be part of the new Fox Sports Channel, his fiance is still in the newsroom. He goes with all our best wishes.

“Newsrooms by their very nature turn over people, some don’t like rotating weekend shifts, others get job offers because they’ve been able to hone their skills working in a major metropolitan newsroom.

“I’m sure News Limited have their own turn-over of ‘news’ staff.”