At the end of last week I was struggling to find positives in my beloved radio industry. Yes, tis the season for sacking and movements, but some hit harder in their unexpectedness and apparent unfairness.
I was in the car heading to an appointment when I heard Sarah Macdonald make the announcement live on ABC Radio Sydney Mornings that her contract wasn’t renewed for the following year. There was humour in her reflections, and no quiver in her voice. We found out later, from Richard Glover, that when her shift was over everyone stood outside the door as she walked out and applauded her.
A chorus of others who, like Richard, are wrapping up media careers, told the nation what they really thought of the situation as well. Ray Hadley on 2GB. Paul Barry from Media Watch. Media Watch is a program that has always analysed what ‘smells off’ impartially, but this time around, Paul Barry openly played his cards, saying on X:
‘IMHO (in my honest opinion) she’s brilliant, one of the best things on radio. WTAF?”
You can watch the full Media Watch segment about Sarah’s sacking here: https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/episodes/sarah/104644980
It contains Ray Hadley calling whoever made the decision ‘a dope‘. It also says that in the aftermath of the decision the ABC received in excess of 2000 text messages. A petition to Bring Sarah back is up to 2800 signatures.
But, like the decision from ARN to invest so much of their resources into Kyle and Jackie O Show in Melbourne, even if the petition got a million signatures, the decision probably can’t be changed now.
In response ABC Director of Audio Ben Latimer, who has had a baptism of fire at the ABC after arriving from NOVA Entertainment, shared in most uncharacteristic ABC fashion the email sent to staff to quell the brewing fires. In it he says:
“Our decisions reflect the need to revitalise our programming and bring a renewed mix of voices and perspectives. By striking a thoughtful balance between well-known and refreshed talent, we aim to build deeper connections with our Loyal Listeners while extending our reach to engage new audiences.
Our responsibilities as a public broadcaster mean we must deliver distinctive, high quality content.”
Ben is right that change is never easy. Sarah’s successor might take a while to feel comfortable in her seat. For Sarah, on her Instagram page a friend has commented that “a career in ruins can be a wonderful thing”. As to the truth of that statement she just needs to look at Nova 100’s Jase and Lauren one year on from a very similar situation.
UPDATE: At the National press Club on Wednesday, ABC Chair Kim Williams was asked about Sarah Macdonald’s “sacking.” He responded:
“It’s inaccurate to say that Sarah Macdonald has been sacked. Her role has not been renewed. They are different conceptually…
“Management has determined that it wishes to take that service in a different direction. That decision is a management decision, and I fully support our management in making relevant decisions as to the direction and content of the services that the ABC provides. So, yes, I do support that decision. I do support the notion of refreshment in the various services that the ABC offers…
“The public reaction would actually say that you can never change anything, ever, unless the person impacted by the change is entirely in agreement with that change. And I think that, in a media working environment, that’s a very impractical view of the world.”
Opinion: Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo