ABC Radio Host Suffers On-Air Breakdown Following Abusive Listener Feedback

ABC Radio Host Suffers On-Air Breakdown Following Abusive Listener Feedback
B&T Magazine
By B&T Magazine
SHARE
THIS



An ABC radio presenter has been reduced to tears on-air after receiving an abusive text message from a listener.

Ali Clarke (pictured above), who co-hosts the breakfast slot on ABC Adelaide, broke down during yesterday’s broadcast over some criticism sent in about her interview with a woman who rescued a joey.

“We don’t always get things right here, but we do always try our best. We sit here with a text line in front of us, and it just adds up,” she told listeners.

“Sometimes we do interviews and it’s handed to us last minute. We’re trying our very best.

“And when someone texts in ‘that was a pitiful interview and what you just said was awful’, [that] I’ve embarrassed the interviewee, [that] I’ve provided excruciating listening for the Adelaide audience, and maybe this is too, but it adds up.

“And sorry this has come out of left-field, and it’s fine – normally I’d be able to deal with it. Maybe I’m just having a bad day. That’s what people always say about this stuff – you’ve got to be tough and that – but sometimes you’re just not tough enough.”

Clarke urged people to be conscious of the damage negative comments can do.

“I know that I probably shouldn’t even be saying this, but every single announcer sits here and they see what you’re saying, and you have a right to say it – don’t get me wrong – but maybe just before you send in texts like that, you understand that it’s hard doing live radio,” she said.

You can listen to Clarke’s soundbite in full here.

Co-host David Bevan defended Clarke’s reaction, saying that while they try to be tough against negative commentary from listeners, “sometimes it does get through and it’s really, really hurtful”.

In an email to staff, ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie acknowledged that while feedback from the public was part and parcel of working for a media company, “sometimes you need to draw the line”.

“Particularly in relation to anonymous online attacks or trolling which, unfortunately, are an increasingly common dark facet of online exchanges,” she wrote.

“Personal abuse, threats and harassment, are not acceptable. Under any circumstances.”

Guthie said in the email that the ABC was assisting Clarke following the incident and asked staff for suggestions on handling trolls.

“We are also looking internally and externally at additional measures to protect our people. This includes peer support and safe engagement with our audiences,” Guthrie wrote.

Please login with linkedin to comment

ABC ABC Adelaide Ali Clarke

Latest News

Eyeota Enhances Reach And Targeting Precision For RDA Research
  • Marketing

Eyeota Enhances Reach And Targeting Precision For RDA Research

Leading Australian market research data brand, RDA Research, provides actionable consumer intelligence to help businesses inform decision making and growth strategies. RDA Research wanted to make its unique consumer data available for addressable digital targeting and required a data onboarding partner to help activate their data in an online environment.

Enthral Strengthens Journalistic DNA By Hiring Channel 7 Reporter Sean Sowerby
  • Media

Enthral Strengthens Journalistic DNA By Hiring Channel 7 Reporter Sean Sowerby

Storytelling agency Enthral has appointed Channel 7 reporter and sports presenter Sean Sowerby as its new senior PR and content manager in Melbourne. Sowerby (pictured) started his award-winning career at 3AW before spending more than 15 years in television. Enthral founder and manager director, Cameron Smith, spoke of the significance of Sowerby joining the agency. […]

Blis Puts Its CEO In The Desert In Clever New “Data Drought” Ad
  • Campaigns
  • Technology

Blis Puts Its CEO In The Desert In Clever New “Data Drought” Ad

Ever since Google first announced it would be getting rid of third-party cookies on Chrome, digital advertising businesses have been actively sharing their plans for life after cookies. And now programmatic advertising company Blis might have come up with the most creative way to get the message across, in a new video which sees company […]

Agency Icon Sweeps The SABRE Awards
  • Marketing
  • Media

Agency Icon Sweeps The SABRE Awards

Integrated Melbourne agency Icon has taken top honours in the 2021 SABRE Awards, winning the coveted Australasian Consultancy of the Year for 2021 along with a host of category and craft awards. Icon led a large field of Australian agencies with a total of three major and seven minor awards, including gold in the cause-related […]

Former Agency Execs Launch Car Service Summon
  • Marketing
  • Media

Former Agency Execs Launch Car Service Summon

Former agency executives Tim O’Neill and Tim Fouhy have launched the auto technology startup Summon. Australia’s first full e-commerce service for prestige cars. O’Neill and Fouhy both founded Reactive, a digital agency, which was bought by Accenture in 2016. Following the deal, O’Neill and Fouhy ended up leading the company’s digital marketing arm, Accenture Interactive before […]