Australian media executive, Steve Ahern, has been appointed Manager of ABC Radio Sydney.
Ahern has been acting in the role since October 2022, having joined the ABC from the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union in Kuala Lumpur where he was Director of the ABU Media Academy.
Ahern’s international career took him to many countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, where he founded the Nai Media Institute in Afghanistan, delivered training in mobile journalism and radio skills for Eye Media in South Sudan, and consulted to television and digital news companies in Liberia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Previously the Director of Radio at AFTRS, Ahern also worked for the ABC in his early career as a producer, presenter, reporter and manager in Newcastle, Canberra and Melbourne. He also held jobs in teaching and international diplomacy, and was the founding editor of this publication.
During his long media career Ahern was also chairman of one of the world’s first catch up radio companies, Rewind Radio, and co-founder of the podcast production company Branded Podcasts. Ahern’s was columnist for The Australia’s Media section also held a board position at the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
He is the author of the text book Making Radio and Podcasts, published by Routledge.
Steve says, “In working across the world I have witnessed first-hand the important role a strong national broadcaster plays in a healthy society. I am delighted to be able to return to one of the world’s best public broadcasters in this role.
“The team at ABC Radio Sydney are at the top of their game and every day they produce high quality content that connects with this city and keeps Sydney siders in touch with what’s going on. I am excited to join such an amazing team of broadcasters.”
Ahern recently gave a presentation to the UN in Paris about fake news and media literacy, saying: “When societies are literate they can read, interpret and use what they see and hear. People communicate, work together, learn, entertain, debate and build culture. They are less likely to be misled if they are informed and inquisitive.”
Head of the ABC’s Capital City Network, Warwick Tiernan, says,“Steve is one of the most experienced and most knowledgeable media executives in the country. He has a proven track record of getting the very best out of broadcasters and producers. We’re incredibly fortunate to have his skills back in the ABC, leading the talent-packed team at ABC Radio Sydney.”