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The ABC is pleased to announce leading audio executive Emily Copeland has been appointed as Head of Music in the ABC Audio team.

In this newly created role, Emily will lead and manage the music strategy across triple j, Double J, triple j Unearthed, ABC Country, ABC Classic and ABC Jazz.

Of her appointment, Emily said: “It’s an honour to have the opportunity to work with such iconic Australian music brands.

“The ABC’s music brands and platforms are world class and I’m excited to work with the team to continue to build on their incredible legacy and help lead these brands into the future.”

Emily joins the ABC with a strong background in executive roles with youth focussed audio brands.

Most recently, Emily was the Director of Audience Innovation & Music Partnerships at ARN, leading partnerships with the Australian music industry and overseeing projects focussed on audience growth and brand innovation.

Emily joined ARN in 2021 and was responsible for the strategic vision and launch of CADA, ARN’s multi-platform youth offering. She also oversaw their national country music station KIX.

She worked with major music and media organisations, including Sounds Australia, TEDxSydney and Chugg Music as the Founder and Director of partnerships agency Good Authority.

Emily has also led partnerships for Foxtel’s music television channels and served as Vice President of the Board of FBi Radio.

ABC Head of Audio Ben Latimer said he was “delighted to welcome Emily to the ABC.

“Emily brings an exceptional range of skills and experience to the role and her understanding and appreciation of Australian music across genres is phenomenal.

“Emily will play a pivotal role in bringing a focus back to the ABC as the home of Australian music.”

Emily will start in the role on 6 May.

ABC Great Southern is thrilled to announce Paul Cook has taken the reins of the Breakfast program in Albany.

The popular Saturday Breakfast presenter has been on-air at the ABC for more than two years and has now moved into the weekday Breakfast program.

“I love this region and the ABC audience loves it too. I can’t wait to continue sharing the stories of this amazing region we call home,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to connecting with the locals, keeping them company each morning with stories that matter and interviewing the quirky characters.”

Paul has worked in radio for more than three decades across Australia.

He’s looking forward continuing to grow his loyal audience with his passion, music and news – but also to enjoy everything the Great Southern has to offer from Albany to Narrogin and everywhere in between.

“I started my radio journey in the Wheatbelt in 1987. I’m excited to have become part of the ABC in a patch my family and I love to live,” he said.

“The Great Southern audience is parochial and always happy to have a say – which I love!

ABC Great Southern Editor John Dobson said:

“Paul loves the Great Southern patch and its people. He is a talented broadcaster and just great company in the mornings,” he said.

Listeners can tune into Paul each morning from 6.30am to 8am via the ABC Listen App or Albany 630am and Wagin 558AM.

ABC and SBS today announced that audiences on the Gold Coast will now have access to a range of new radio stations with the launch of digital radio (DAB+) services from today, Wednesday 15 May.

Listeners will be able to enjoy the full range of ABC Radio services including ABC Gold Coast, Double J, ABC Jazz, ABC Country, ABC Sport, triple j Unearthed and ABC KIDS listen.

They will be able to tune in to SBS Audio services including language programs on SBS Radio 1, SBS Radio 2, SBS Radio 3, SBS Arabic24 and SBS South Asian, as well as music stations SBS Chill and SBS PopAsia.

ABC Head of Audio Ben Latimer said: “The addition of DAB+ will improve access to the ABC’s wealth of audio services for audiences on the Gold Coast. These audiences will experience high-quality audio across our range of popular digital audio brands like Double J, ABC Sport and the ABC Kids listen.”

SBS Acting Director of Audio and Language Content Pamela Cook said: “With the latest Census data showing nearly a third of Gold Coast residents were born overseas, the launch of DAB+ radio means more Australians can now enjoy SBS Audio’s full suite of over 60 language services. This provides news, community stories, entertainment, plus a new SBS South Asian destination channel.”

Digital radio delivers better sound quality than traditional AM/FM radio and doesn’t suffer from the same types of interference or static issues.

There is no need to manually tune or search for channels, audiences can simply select their favourite radio station from the alphabetical station list.

Digital radios also have small screens which can display program-related information, such as ‘now playing’ song title and artist details as well as local news headlines, weather details and traffic updates.

Audiences can find more information about DAB+ on the ABC Digital Radio Help Page and SBS Audio How Do I Listen Page.

ABC News Top Stories is the No 1 news podcast in Australia, according to the April Triton Podcast Ranker released today.

The program was No 3 in the overall rankings with 669,000 listeners in April.

ABC News Top Stories is a news update created specifically for digital audiences, explaining the key stories of the moment in under two minutes.

ABC Director News Justin Stevens said: “The fantastic performance of ABC News Top Stories demonstrates its value and the audience demand for a quality news service in the podcast age.”

The ABC is the No. 3 podcast publisher in the April Triton Podcast Ranker and has more titles in the top 200 than any other publisher, with 33 titles featured.

Three ABC titles featured in the top 20 podcasts, with ABC News Top Stories at number three, Conversations at number seven and ABC News Daily at number 15.

The full Triton Australian Podcast Ranker can be found here.

Audiences can enjoy all the ABC’s podcasts for free and ad free on ABC listen.

The Australian Podcast Ranker is a regular monthly snapshot of Australia’s most popular podcasts. The Ranker has been reporting podcast listening in Australia since 2019 and includes a wide cross section of Australian podcast publishers, from both radio and non-radio backgrounds.

One of the nation’s most influential and respected journalists, David Marr, will take over as host of RN’s Late Night Live until the end of the year following the retirement of veteran presenter Phillip Adams after 33 years.

David Marr is a Walkley Award winning journalist whose career has included editing The National Times, and reporting at The Bulletin, Fairfax, The Guardian and the ABC where he hosted Media Watch, was an investigative journalist at Four Corners, and presented arts programs.

A successful author, David’s most recent book Killing for Country: A Family Story has been critically acclaimed since its release, while his biographies of Nobel winning Australian author Patrick White and former Chief Justice Sir Garfield Barwick are among his many contributions to Australian journalism and letters.

David has built a career as one of the nation’s leading commentators on current affairs, culture, media and the law and will bring his signature quick wit to the task.

Of his new gig, David said, “I’m honoured and terrified. It’s going to be a ball”.

RN Manager Dina Rosendorff said replacing Phillip Adams after such an unrivalled career on the ABC airwaves was never going to be an easy task.

“While we celebrate Phillip’s career it is also exciting to welcome David, who I’m sure will resonate with the most intellectual and loyal radio audience in the country, the Gladdies and Poddies.

“David is the right combination of intellect, curiosity and, of course, a wicked sense of humour. We are all delighted that he’s agreed to take up this role until the end of the year.”

Phillip’s last broadcast will be on June 27. David starts with LNL on July 15.

ABC Radio Perth will celebrate 100 years of radio in Western Australia on Tuesday, 4 June 2024 with special broadcast plans set to roll out across the week.

Celebrations kick off in Breakfast with Mark Gibson featuring interviews with Perth radio legend Earl Reeve and iconic media personality Susannah Carr.

The Morning program, hosted by Nadia Mitsopoulos, will do a special live broadcast at the State Library of Western Australia, coinciding with the launch of a display on the history of 6WF Radio.

Featuring music selected from the first broadcast in 1924, performed live by the Perth Symphony Orchestra, the program will outline more about the history of radio in WA.

Throughout the week, ABC Radio Perth will continue to feature some of WA’s most familiar and well-loved radio voices.

To top off the week, ABC Perth will throw open its doors to the public on Saturday June 8, from 9am – 2.30pm for an Open House.

ABC Radio Perth manager Danielle Benda said radio had played a central role in the lives of so many Western Australians since its inception.

“When you think of the isolation of so many people in WA — especially 100 years ago — music, news and information from ‘the wireless’ would have been invaluable,” she said.

“Over the years 6WF won a place in our hearts and homes as company and reassurance in times of deep difficulty and uncertainty as well as in joy and celebration.

“ABC Radio is proud to continue to broadcast in that great tradition providing great company, excellent news services, good music and comprehensive sports coverage to audiences in Perth and throughout WA.”

Radio 6WF – still the call sign of 720 ABC Radio Perth – made its first transmission on the evening of June 4, 1924, with a speech from then-Premier Philip Collier and a program of light music and live entertainment.

Established by Westralian Farmers’ Co-operative Ltd (Wesfarmers), 6WF was the first high powered radio station in WA, broadcasting agricultural information to farmers and to provide contact with the wider world.

Tune in on ABC Perth or on the ABC listen app.

The ABC has won seven out of 13 categories at the Tasmanian Media Awards, including journalist of the year for Jessica Moran and Chris Rowbottom.

Moran and Rowbottom won for their body of work on Tasmania’s racing industry.

Along with their ABC colleagues Andy Burns and Charlotte King, they also took home best news story, best sports coverage and public service journalism at the awards announcement in Hobart on Friday night.

The ABC’s Clancy Balen was named best new journalist, with the judges praising his finessed work and use of new media platforms. Adam Langenberg won best health reporting for his ability to break high-quality health stories as well as sensitively tell the stories of those affected by health system failures, while Selina Ross was declared the winner of the best arts reporting prize thanks to an array of exclusive stories that appealed to a broad audience.

The judges said the body of work that won Moran and Rowbottom the Journalist of the Year Award was based on solid, fearless journalism.

“Curiosity sparked their initial interest, their investigations led to a range of solid, news-breaking reports which are an exemplar of quality public interest journalism,” the judges said.

“Their reporting involved ‘mud on boots’ journalism, the cultivation of dozens of sources, and the use of Right to Know laws — which unveiled uncomfortable truths in a lucrative industry.”

The ABC fielded a total of 34 finalists in the awards, which recognise creative and courageous acts of factually based journalism that seek the truth and give new insight to an issue.

The full list of ABC finalists and winners:

2024 JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

•    Jessica Moran, Chris Rowbottom, ‘Tasmania’s Racing Industry’ — WINNER

Judges’ citation: “Chris and Jess’s reports were based on solid, fearless journalism. Curiosity sparked their initial interest, their investigations led to a range of solid, news-breaking reports which are an exemplar of quality public interest journalism. Their reporting involved ‘mud on boots’ journalism, the cultivation of dozens of sources, and the use of Right to Know laws — which unveiled uncomfortable truths in a lucrative industry.”

BEST NEW JOURNALIST

•    Clancy Balen – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “The judges have awarded Clancy Balen the title of Best New Journalist for his outstanding contributions to the field. His stories, crafted with a finesse that belies his newcomer status, captivated the judges with their depth, clarity, and relevance. The judges were also impressed with Clancy’s use of new media platforms, seamlessly integrating multimedia elements to enhance the storytelling experience.”

•    Rebecca Pridham – FINALIST

BEST NEWS STORY

•    Chris Rowbottom, Jessica Moran, Andy Burns, Charlotte King, Andy Burns, ‘Inside a Racing Juggernaut: How One Trainer Dominates the Nation’s Harness Industry’ – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “‘Inside a racing juggernaut’ broke open Tasmania’s troubled harness racing industry, sending shockwaves through sporting circles and beyond. The story showcased in-depth research and hard-won insider knowledge and triggered legal action and inquiries that continued more than a year later. Its compelling presentation ensured a broad audience.”

•    Jano Gibson, ‘Collision Course: The debacle impacting Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker’ – FINALIST

ARTS REPORTING

•    Lucille Cutting – FINALIST

‘Exploring Tasmania and Japan’s relationship through a 1990’s Japanese multimillion dollar box office film Tasmania Story’.

•    Selina Ross, body of work – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “The judges were unanimous in naming Selina Ross first for her very strong intention to take her audience deeper, for her endeavours to appeal to different audiences, and for going the extra mile in achieving exclusivity, fairness and balance. Successful in pitching all three stories, Selina’s reports enabled arts stories to achieve a well-deserved wider relevance.”

SPORTS COVERAGE

•    Jessica Moran, Chris Rowbottom, Andy Burns, Charlotte King,‘Stacking the Odds: Inside a Tasmanian harness racing juggernaut’ – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “Exceptional example of persistence, attention to detail and newsroom teamwork to break an exclusive story with widespread and ongoing ramifications beyond the racing industry. The reporters are to be commended for their curiosity being piqued by a daily news event that spawned such significant reports, on the back of admirable tenacity and commitment.”

•    Chris Rowbottom, body of work – FINALIST

HEALTH REPORTING

•    Adam Langenberg – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “High-level mix of news breaking on this critical round, with a human touch. Excellent use of contacts and knowledge of issues to break stories while bringing the reader into the lives of people affected by the state’s health crisis. Well written, researched and presented.”

•    Fiona Blackwood – FINALIST

•    Kim Napier, Breaking the Silence – FINALIST

PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM

•    Jessica Moran, Chris Rowbottom, Andy Burns, Charlotte King, ‘Stacking the Odds: Inside a Tasmanian harness racing juggernaut’ – WINNER

Judges’ citation: “The team who worked on the winning entry displayed considerable fortitude, determination and endurance. What began with a routine report on an accident in a regional area, unfurled into a multi-faceted, months-long investigation that hinged on gaining the trust of key sources in an environment famed for its distrust of the media. Its impact is clear, ongoing and demonstrates the continued importance of old fashioned, shoe leather journalism.”

•    Jano Gibson, ‘Collision Course: The debacle impacting Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker’ – FINALIST

BEST NEWS IMAGE

•    Maren Preuss, ‘Year in Review’ – FINALIST

COMMENT AND ANALYSIS

•    Adam Langenberg, Tasmanian Political Analysis – FINALIST

EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL REPORTING

•    Adam Holmes – FINALIST

•    April McLennan – FINALIST

FEATURE, DOCUMENTARY OR CURRENT AFFAIRS

•    Piia Wirsu, Grant Walter, Blythe Moore, Liz Gwynn, Helen Shield, ‘Expanse: From the Dead’ – FINALIST

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

•    Jano Gibson, ‘Collision course: The debacle impacting Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker’ – FINALIST