They're dropping like flies at Magic Talk.
Leah Panapa opened what had been Peter William's show this morning with the news that he'd retired - just like that. There Friday - gone Monday. The media are describing it as something about to happen. It's happened. Without a whisper of warning.
I've listened to Williams fairly regularly since he started out in early 2019. He was getting slicker and more energetic in my view. He didn't sound jaded, tired or unenthusiastic. So I am naturally skeptical about the reason given for his sudden disappearance from the airwaves.
And one could hardly be forgiven for being slightly suspicious when his departure has quickly followed Duncan Garner (August), Tony Amos (July), Sean Plunket (February) and part-timer John Banks (January).
Williams steadfastedly rejected man-made climate change and interviewed qualified experts like Willie Soon. He gave airtime to lock down questioners like epidemiologist Simon Thornley. He talked with doctors who have questions about the covid vaccine. He gave airtime to The Taxpayer's Union and Bob McCoskrie from Family First. He didn't leave listeners in any doubt about his political preference and it wasn't National. He appeared to me to be socially conservative and economically liberal. He was no friend of the government.
I repeat, if anything, he was getting more focussed and outspoken. He certainly didn't sound like a man who'd grown bored or disinterested in his work (or maybe he'd simply given himself licence to be more candid knowing he was going to shortly pull the plug?)
Phil Gifford also recently departed NewstalkZB as afternoon co-host. I'm clueless as to whether so many departures are mere coincidence or otherwise. But the optimist in me hangs onto the prospect of a new broadcasting enterprise emerging. One prepared to rigorously engage in political and philosophical debate; and to take a chance on there being enough support to attract crucial advertisers.
I'd be tuned in like a shot.
Update: I was reminded by a comment on Kiwiblog that Chris Lynch, NewstalkZB Christchurch host was another recent 'casualty' in May this year. So there is a workforce of at least half a dozen highly experienced broadcasters on the loose...
11 comments:
The state control on media tightems, only a matter of time before Hosking and his wife Hawkesby decide to seek a "new more relaxing life away from the Microphone".
I did a survey about broadcasters only a few weeks ago (that group that gives you Flybuys points in exchange). One of those asked about was Peter Williams.
Good Questions Lindsay
We are living in times of increasing distress. Unexpected corporate censorship, mainstream media capture by the Government, medical vaccine tyranny.
Let's keep questioning, thinking, acting.
With the conditions attached to the $55m "Pravda" fund (as Karl du Fresne calls it), it is hardly surprising NZ media outlets are quietly getting rid of any dissenting voices.
I was a semi-regular listener and occasional caller to the Peter Williams show. While his world view didn’t always coincide with mine I always found he was a very patient guy prepared to accommodate all viewpoints. Also he never dropped callers off and always invited them to stay on until after a news or ad break. Put it another way, we have lost a gentleman broadcaster.
This morning (Tues 7th Sept) I found L Panapa on the airwaves. About 9.15am a caller came through asking about the whereabouts of Peter Williams. Caller had hardly got through the sentence before she cut him dead. No explanation from LP. Went to a very long ad break, then commenced an interview with I don’t know who, at which point I switched off.
I assume Williams and others will be appearing on Plunket's upcoming online radio stream 'The Platform'.
I also assume Gifford didn't really want that job but agreed to take the big money and do a favor to Simon Barnett in getting the new slot run in. That Simon hoped Phil would enjoy it and stick around but, no, he didn't.
I also assume that The Platform is this generation's version of Radio Liberty. These things go around in 20 year cycles.
2/3 of those assumptions is bound to be right at least.
Surely there is someone out there who has the money to set these guys up with their own privately owned radio station.
This is govt crap trying to silence good people.
The country is slowly being taken over by loony, lefty, "climate change" believing women and Maori. They totally dominate parliament now. The white males are quickly seeing the writing on the wall for any "climate deniers". The only question is whether they are leaving voluntarily or being shoved. I think they are just getting out themselves because they are fed up with having to be part of a lying, biased, government controlled media machine which just keeps feeding "climate change" crap to the NZ public
Phil Gifford should have stuck to Sport.
I am on Magic Music from 9AM now and switch to Jamie Mackay at noon and it is either off of Magic Music again until I 4pm since I have slowly adjusted to Heather du Plessis Allen (Mrs Soper)
I'm liking Gold in Wgtn 1503am.
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