Federal Nationals Member for Lyne, Alison Penfold, has called on WIN Television to immediately rule out staff redundancies and guarantee there will be no reductions in local news crews across the Hunter, Mid North Coast, and Northern NSW following reports of significant cuts to NBN News.
Reports indicate weekday local news coverage will be reduced and weekend bulletins abolished following WIN's acquisition of NBN Television. Staff are also reportedly concerned about the future of local journalism jobs.
Ms Penfold said she warned earlier this year that any change in ownership must not come at the expense of local communities.
"When WIN announced its acquisition of NBN Television, I made it clear that regional communities could not afford to lose local news coverage, local journalists, or local camera crews. I also called on the ACCC to intervene. Unfortunately, today's reports suggest those fears are now our reality," Ms Penfold said.
"People on the Hunter and Mid North Coast are not second-class citizens. We have our own rich tapestry of stories and issues to tell about our own local area, not force-fed Sydney traffic reports hundreds of kilometres away.
"Whether it is floods, bushfires, major accidents, community events, council decisions or local sporting achievements, regional communities rely on local news services to keep them informed and connected. A half-hour 5.30pm bulletin is no replacement, and useless for the many of us will still be in the car on our way home from work at that time."
Ms Penfold called on WIN management to provide certainty to staff and communities by publicly committing to:
• No forced redundancies of NBN News staff
• No reductions in local news crews across the Hunter, Northern NSW and the Mid North Coast
• The retention of dedicated local news gathering in regional communities; and
• The preservation of a strong, standalone local television news service.
"Regional Australians deserve better than a slow erosion of local media.
"WIN now has a responsibility to demonstrate that its acquisition of NBN Television will strengthen local journalism, not weaken it."
"I stand with the journalists, camera operators, producers, and support staff who work every day to tell our region's stories. WIN must guarantee their jobs and guarantee our communities will continue to have a strong local voice."
