‘This is a public-relations disaster on many levels’: Kim Williams meets with angry ABC staffers over radio host movements
ABC chair Kim Williams has personally met with staffers from ABC Radio Sydney in an attempt to quell anger over recent executive decisions that have seen a number of high profile presenters removed from the airwaves.
This comes after ABC Radio Sydney staff sent a strongly worded letter to the board expressing disappointment and bewilderment at recent changes that have seen Sarah Macdonald and Simon Marnie‘s shows axed, and the retirement of Robbie Buck and Richard Glover.
“We are public broadcasters,” the letter reads. “They fund us to provide information, entertainment and company. This only succeeds when a genuine relationship is created between listener or viewer and us, the broadcasters. Fundamental to this relationship is trust.”
Sarah Macdonald
The letter continues: “Presenters who can master these skills and win the trust of the audience are not common. It has been a tenet of this form that it works at its best when presenters are in place for some years. The bond with the audience can build. A listener begins to know and hopefully like and respect the broadcaster. It is always underestimated how crucial companionship is as a factor in drawing listeners to an ABC Local program.”
The letter referred to the clumsy way in which the recent changes were handled, with Macdonald announcing her own shock sacking the station should have “marked [Glover’s] retirement with respect and affection and welcomed Chris Bath into the position”.
“Instead on the very day that we welcomed Chris, Sarah McDonald announced that ‘ABC Management would not be renewing her contract.’ This is a public relations disaster on many levels…only a day or two later, Simon Marnie announces that he will be leaving weekends.”
The letter also slammed Williams’ suggestion that the strong staff reaction to Macdonald’s removal was simply due to her not wishing to leave.
“We are not reacting to Sarah’s distress,” the letter said. “We are reacting to an audience outpouring of confusion and disbelief, the like and amount of which we have never seen.”
Kim Williams
ABC Radio Sydney saved its ire for ABC audio boss Ben Latimer, who came into the role in late 2023 from NOVA, and quickly masterminded a number of personnel changes.
“We note a significant shift towards senior management who have a commercial media/radio background. We are yet to see evidence of a true understanding and belief in the vital role and responsibility of the public broadcaster in these senior roles,” the letter said. “None of them truly understand public broadcasting and they have made little effort to comprehend the nature of local radio.”
Williams told the Sydney Morning Herald he had an “open and constructive discussion” with ABC Radio Sydney staffers.
“A free-flow exchange ensued where issues and concerns were identified, and candid responses were offered,” he said.
“I welcomed the collegiate spirit and the passion for the produced work and audiences evident throughout our discussion. Nothing further to say.”
Keep up to date with the latest in media and marketing
Got a tip?
Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
Linkedin
This story is beyond tired. It’s unprofessional and frankly embarrassing to see ABC staffers leaking info and white-anting the very organisation they claim to be fighting for. No one is entitled to a gig for life—especially with ABC Radio Sydney’s poor ratings. Leadership is trying to improve things, and the moral high ground disappears pretty quickly when you’re busy burning the place down on your way out.
User ID not verified.
Ignore audience feedback and staff morale at your peril. Too many out of touch men in leadership in the ABC.
User ID not verified.
You can tell that the other 2 comments here, that they are not regular listeners of the abc.
The staff are certainly not “white anting” but expressing their dismay at the way things have been handled and what the average abc listeners wants.
This is just pure rubbish that “ratings” are falling. These are the words of people who rarely and if ever listen to the abc.
These broadcasters are the very fabric of what the listeners want to hear.
If it ain’t broken, then why try to “fix” it ??
Why get rid of a couple of the best broadcasters on radio ??
Ben Latimer needs to go back to commercial radio, and take these “fly by nighters” with him.
User ID not verified.
They’ve had to act, ratings are tanking and they needed the salary cap. Only re-airing old Joe Rogan podcasts can save the ABC.
User ID not verified.
Sarah McDonald had increased her ratings.
User ID not verified.
Williams is about to experience first hand that the ABC is going to behave the same or worse than Newscorp did when it’s faced with change or having to adapt eve slightly to its audience.
The audience as far as these people are concerned is themselves and people like them. The ABC is about the audience adapting to the voices within the org, not the other way around.
User ID not verified.
“None of them truly understand public broadcasting and they have made little effort to comprehend the nature of local radio.”
That is some elitist rubbish right there.
User ID not verified.
The abc is about quality not quantity. It’s the only place you can get good radio.Don’t dumb it down,.
User ID not verified.
Can’t help but wonder if the pro-change commentary on Mumbrella is actually being posted by the instigator(s) behind the changes to ABC’s radio host lineup.
ABC Radio Sydney staff have presented in their letter to the ABC board a compelling case that shows a deeper understanding of the role of the broadcaster in listener’s lives than those making the changes.
Just hope Williams et al are able to swallow their pride and reverse their recent contravercial decisions.
User ID not verified.
Dismayed and disgusted
by the lack of understanding that the ABC “powers that be” have shown . Mr Latimer, Mr Williams & Co. should remove themselves from the disastrous decision making that is causing this wonderful institution to fail. The likes of these people show no knowledge or empathy whatsoever. Please replace them with others who know what our National Broadcaster stands for….community, truthful reporting, understanding, and faith in our country. As Sarah MacDonald says “peace, love and strength “ so needed in our world today.
User ID not verified.
It’s shameful that these newcomers want to mold our ABC into a more generic experience. Are they going to announce a move to commercial advertising next ?
User ID not verified.
REP “public broadcaster” “leftist echo chamber” * *
User ID not verified.
ThE ABC Management claim that they’re trying for a younger Audience, what next, putting Kile & Jacky O on 702 breakfast?????
User ID not verified.
In protest against Sarah’s sacking, I will no longer be listening to the ABC in that time slot.
I thought the ABC represented us, the Australian listening public!
You have made a grave mistake.
User ID not verified.
Have your say