The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Sydney station is confronting significant criticism after the shock departure of presenter Chris Bath resulted in an exclusively male lineup for its key daytime slots from Breakfast through to Drive.
Management Responds to Diversity Concerns
Ben Latimer, the ABC's director of audio, has acknowledged that "there is always more to do" on diversity following Bath's replacement with male presenter Thomas Oriti on the important Drive programme. Bath announced her resignation after just one year in the role, surprising both audience members and colleagues alike.
The veteran broadcaster steps down from the slot previously held by Richard Glover for 26 years. In her departure statement, Bath explained she was leaving "to pursue some passion projects and different opportunities away from the news cycle that have been beckoning for years."
Internal Discontent Grows
Within the organisation, staff have expressed shock at the diminishing female presence on the flagship Sydney station. This disappointment follows last year's angry reaction from listeners and staff when Sarah Macdonald was replaced by Hamish Macdonald in the Mornings slot.
The current Sydney local radio roster now features exclusively male presenters: Craig Reucassel on Breakfast, Hamish Macdonald on Mornings, James O'Loughlin and James Valentine on Afternoons, and Thomas Oriti on Drive. Valentine has been on sick leave since June, with Kathryn Robinson temporarily filling his position.
Dr Helen Vatsikopoulos, a journalist and academic at the University of Technology Sydney, voiced her astonishment at the development: "The ABC, while it continues to pursue its various diversity objectives, has completely forgotten about half the population."
Broader Context and Criticism
Despite the ABC's Diversity & Inclusion annual report showing that women constitute 55.8% of the workforce and hold 57.1% of executive positions, a significant gender pay gap persists. Commonwealth data reveals that men at the national broadcaster earn nearly 10% more than their female colleagues.
New South Wales Greens MP Cate Faehrmann commented via social media: "This is not 1982. This is not one of the blokey shock jock commercial stations that we perhaps expect this type of programming from. This is our public broadcaster that should know better."
Former ABC News presenter Juanita Phillips highlighted what she described as an "entrenched culture" at the organisation, noting the "disappearance of smart, capable women over 50 from ABC screens and airwaves has been happening for many years."
Thomas Oriti, who currently hosts the national breakfast programme on ABC NewsRadio and Background Briefing on Radio National, brings considerable experience to the Drive slot. Meanwhile, Chris Bath will maintain her connection with the ABC by hosting a Sunday morning show broadcast across New South Wales.
