Alan Jones reveals surprising new venture: ‘Giving the voiceless a voice’

Alan Jones has revealed he will make a return to Australia’s news landscape with a ‘major’ new project starting next week.

Alan Jones has revealed he will return to Australia’s news landscape by “giving the voiceless a voice” with a new online show from a new digital channel on social media platforms.

The former Sky News host has signed with Australian Digital Holdings to create a new show called Alan Jones Direct To The People that will stream on Facebook, YouTube and other social platforms.

The veteran TV and radio broadcaster made the announcement that the first show would premiere on Monday at a press conference at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel.

“This has never been done in Australia before and it’s free,” he said on Friday.

“The purpose of this company is to say these people deserve a voice. Thousands of people are accessing content and asking what Alan Jones is saying.”

Alan Jones is ‘giving the voiceless a voice’. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

“It is very much the tomorrow of media.”

Jones said he was encouraged to go ahead with the show through the “reach and relevance” of his Facebook page, with posts reaching half a million people.

The 80-year-old told reporters the “biggest issue” in Australia was self-censorship.

The program, which will be filmed in a studio set-up, will take a similar approach to his former Sky News show, with two prominent interviews as well as his comment.

While the show will be a television-type broadcast of an evening, he said there would also be podcasts available in the mornings.

“This is what Australia is desperately needing now,” Jones said.

“I will say things that sometimes other people would be scared of saying. I will be saying what Alan Jones thinks, I won’t be responding to legal advice.”

The outspoken broadcaster left Sky News Australia in November after the network cancelled his weeknight show from its broadcast line-up.

Jones accused the network of “cancelling” his conservative views and has since been live streaming to his 165,000 Facebook followers.

The former Sky News Host has signed with Australian Digital Holdings to create a new show called Alan Jones Direct To The People. Picture: AAP Image/James Gourley

During his final broadcast on November 4, Jones promised to continue voicing his opinions on social media.

He announced his shock departure hours before the final broadcast in a lengthy Facebook post where he revealed his ratings wins for the network.

He revealed he had been offered an alternative slot on streaming service Flash but declined.

Sky News Australia chief executive officer Paul Whittaker insisted it was Jones’s decision to leave.

“Regrettably, Alan has decided not to accept a new role that was offered to him for next year,” he said at the time.

“We respect his decision and know he will be missed by many.

“Alan has contributed greatly to Sky News Australia over the years, advocating without fear or favour on the issues important to many Australians.”

Jones began his radio career in 1985 at 2UE before moving onto 2GB in 2001 where he delivered 226 wins in rating surveys and helped push the station to No.1 in Sydney.

He retired from 2GB radio in mid-2020 and then moved onto the nightly Sky News show.