Redundancies at ABC Radio will be a ‘win for audiences’: Michael Mason
Despite announcing nine redundancies across ABC Radio National yesterday, the director of ABC Radio is confident the change is “a win for audiences”.
Speaking with Mumbrella, Michael Mason said while changes which involve job losses are”particularly hard and difficult to deal with”, the reduction in management roles and a simplified structure are positive changes for ABC audiences.
Changes “a win for audiences”
The same pathetic response and empty spin we always get to Government cuts. Just like when all the ABS jobs were cut and David Kalisch declared it an opportunity. How did that work out?! Michael Mason needs to grow a spine and say what these cuts are. The results of an attack on the ABC which in the long run will diminish the quality and variety of service that listeners will experience. We should be aiming for excellence and investing not just getting by with as little as possible.
It is remarkable to me that someone who is incapable of plain expression is in Mason’s role.
>>”The ABC Audio Studios will focus on content for “working families”, “busy people”, “lifestyle content” and build on RN’s current offering”<<
So in fact, the mindless dribble that is already comprehensively covered by commercial radio.
The ABC is at its best when it’s creating content that you will not hear on commercial radio. No point racing to the bottom of the barrel with commercial radio.
It wasn’t that long ago the ABC radio was cancelling all of its best niche programming. Now Mason is talking up specialised content. (Though I must admit it is hard to understand a word he writes.) Is the ABC strategy as confused as this guy sounds?
Some ABC radio services do need a complete overhaul. Classic FM and News radio rate close to zero, especially in regional areas. Why don’t they put something people actually want to listen to on FM like Double J or even ABC Country. BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to station and provides an adult music and entertainment format that is completely absent from Australian radio. There’s a gap for you to fill – go to it ABC!
Insiders will always gripe. Let management get on with it. Mostly management are good at the ABC. Just don’t mention Jonathan Shire!
Neoliberal rubbish