It’s been two weeks since the news was made public that Macquarie University and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) were no longer willing (on Macquarie’s part) and able (without a new partner to replace Macquarie, on UTS’s) to fund 2SER. 2SER (the SER stands for Sydney Educational Radio) which broadcasts out of UTS’s Ultimo campus and from what was once the AFTRS radio studios at Macquarie.

The following week, on April 20, a meeting was held at the town hall at UTS for 2SER staff, their board, listeners and volunteers past and present, around 300 in person and online.

Crikey, who were present and were able to get some recordings of the meeting said that the 2SER community was livid at the lack of transparency and delays that had led to the station getting to this critical juncture.

Station manager Cheryl Northey was asked why, after Macquarie University announced it was pulling its funding beyond 2026 last year, with 15 months notice, approaches to address the shortfall were only made to the University of Sydney and UNSW last month (March).

She said:

“It takes a lot of time to work through those proposals, and the board from October onwards … spent time building those relationships … in order to be able to have those conversations.”

The University of Sydney further told Crikey they were “not able to prioritise the project at this time as our current focus is on other student experience investments.“

Anthony Dockrill, who was program director at 2SER for 17 years said at the town hall meeting:

“If the board was serious about finding a partner for the station, it needed two years. That hasn’t happened. And I think the station has been let down by that.”

The Sydney Morning Herald said (subscription required) that despite the financial situation, 2SER’s audience grew by 20 per cent in 2024, according to its annual report. The station also received some grants through Meta and the Walkley Foundation, contributing around $200,000, but not enough for a sustainable future.

Former triple j and ABC Sydney broadcaster Robbie Buck, who started his career at 2SER and is a lifetime paying member said to the SMH:

“The question we have is, how did it get to this without anybody in the community realising how dire the situation was?”

At the town hall meeting Buck also asked:

“How much is the managing director on?”

Which apparently drew gasps from the audience presence and was met with a “it’s fine to ask the question. I think it’s also fine to not answer it” from the panel involved including Northey and 2SER board co-chairs James Bennett and Chris Dixon.

What can be done from here to save such an important training ground for future journalists and presenters?

In the first instance, you can sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-2ser-fm

This petition is not asking for any funding or money. It is asking you to show your support to keep 2SER on air.

Just one of the responses to the petition include:

“2ser has given me the most beautiful start to my media career. It is a special place where Australian creatives can share and discover their passion for music, art and politics in a world full of mainstream censorship and propaganda. 2ser speaks to and for the people and strengthens community!“

You can also send 2SER your love and support by:

Sending them your stories – https://forms.gle/NHuxvAaJPgd4utoQ9 

Sharing your experience as a student or volunteer: https://forms.gle/h3C2HofSNyDphQfv7

Or sending an email to: [email protected]

If you have a few more minutes I’d also encourage you to read Daz Chandler‘s thoughtfully researched and passionately argued article for Overland on the importance of 2SER as democratic infrastructure.

Daz says:

“In a post-truth world, at a time of ongoing genocide, ecocide, war, rising authoritarianism and censorship — when public discourse is increasingly consolidated, surveilled, and contested — the continued existence of spaces like 2SER becomes critical.” 

The Overland article: https://overland.org.au/2026/04/the-importance-of-democratic-frequencies-on-the-threatened-closure-of-2ser/

The Save 2SER petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-2ser-fm

2SER image via ABC Radio National, by Sophie Kesteven

Article compiled by Jen Seyderhelm.