Channel 7 defends controversial news segment after radio host’s take-down

An unorthodox introduction to Seven’s evening news bulletins has prompted a fierce response from a prominent radio host, as the network hit back.

Channel 7 has defended its decision to introduce astrology reports to its evening news broadcast amid backlash from commentators and rival media outlets.

It’s been speculated in various articles this week the free-to-air network was bringing in astrologer Natasha Weber, aka ‘AstroTash’, to deliver a horoscope segment as part of the 6pm bulletins, a move deemed unorthodox for the traditionally hard-hitting format.

Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief Anthony De Ceglie addressed the controversy in a statement to news.com.au, saying his team were in the midst of “exploring new ideas and concepts”.

De Ceglie, who took over from former news director Craig McPherson in April, added he was “not afraid” to experiment in his new role.

“We are incredibly proud of the groundbreaking and quality journalism that 7NEWS produces every single bulletin,” De Ceglie said.

“We’re exploring new ideas and concepts to bring in new audiences so that we can showcase them this journalism.

“We’re not going to be afraid to innovate and we’re only just getting started.

“One thing that will never change is our absolute commitment to telling the stories that matter to our viewers.”

Natasha Weber aka AstroTash will present an astrology segment during evening bulletins.

Weber, who has presented on the broadcaster’s post-breakfast The Morning Show, is set to produce a brief 20-second presentation, which will air after the weather forecast.

News.com.au understands the segment will be mostly visual, by way of an infographic.

De Ceglie’s statement comes after the forthcoming astrology segment was critiqued by prominent radio host Tom Elliott on Wednesday.

Speaking on 3AW Melbourne, the Mornings host launched a scathing take-down of the network, declaring astrology was “stupid” and didn’t belong alongside news.

“Astrology? In the news? It is not science. It is not fact,” Elliot said.

“It is a rather stupid set of beliefs that people cling to because they say, ‘Oh I’m a Capricorn and it describes my life’. We all know in our heart of hearts astrology is a load of rubbish.

“I’m astonished when I meet people who are otherwise rational who believe in astrology, who believe that the position of distant stars and planets on the day you were born somehow influences the type of person that you are.

“It’s rubbish, but Channel 7 wants to make it apart of the news.”

3AW’s Tom Elliott dubbed the move “rubbish”. Picture Jay Town

AstroTash’s report will last 20 seconds.

Elliott then welcomed the network’s former news director Steve Carey onto the show to explain Seven’s decision.

“My firm view is brand reputation and trust are the cornerstones of news, and when you mess with that, you mess with the formula, so there’s a huge risk involved in this,” Carey, who worked as Seven’s news director from 2003 until 2012, said.

“On the flip side, you’ve got an hour of news, and news shouldn’t be all heavy, we’ve got so much heavy news at the moment, so sometimes putting it after weather isn’t really such a bad thing.”

He added, “For me, personally, I’d rather have more issues-based reporting. Crime, cost of living. So while I see where they’re going with it, I don’t know that experimenting with 6pm main line news which sets up your whole evening bulletin and viewership is the way to go.”

Among other changes being made as part of the network’s renewed news coverage includes a weekly comedy skit hosted by comedian Mark Humphries.

Anthony De Ceglie, the latest director of news and current affairs at Seven, has made a raft of changes.

As first reported by The Australian in June, Humphries will perform a three-minute segment at 6.57pm on Fridays from July 12.

De Ceglie, who boasts a prolific background in digital and print media, is said to have told journalists at his first town hall meeting last month he wanted to take risks.

The 38-year-old was most recently editor-in-chief at The West Australian.

“I think one of the big things I’ve noticed already is an almost paranoia about trying something different because it’s too risky or we might lose the ratings war with Nine,” he said in leaked quotes obtained by The Australian.

“If we’re too focused on the daily ratings we’ll never take that giant game-changing risk that up-ends everything and leads to major success.”

Originally published as Channel 7 defends controversial news segment after radio host’s take-down