ABC reporter Linton Besser replaces Paul Barry as Media Watch host
Journalist Linton Besser, who joined the ABC in 2013, will front his first Media Watch episode on February 3.
Investigative journalist Linton Besser will host Media Watch next year, replacing Paul Barry who is stepping down after 11 years in the presenter’s chair.
Besser, who joined the ABC in 2013, will front his first Media Watch episode on February 3.
“For years, members of the public have described to me a fundamental distrust of the media. They lump us together, the good and the bad,” Besser said in a statement on Thursday, upon the announcement of his appointment.
“Rather than despairing at this uncomfortable reality I’m going to try in my own small way to do something about it. Media Watch remains Australia’s best public guardrail against bad behaviour by the press.”
Barry took to social media platform X to congratulate Besser.
“Good luck mate. You’ll be great,” Barry posted.
The ABC will also bring veteran presenter Fran Kelly back into the Radio National fold in 2025. She will host a daily 6pm program, The Radio National Hour.
Kelly hosted Radio National’s breakfast program for 17 years until her departure in 2021.
Elsewhere, ABC Radio Sydney presenter Sarah Macdonald, who currently hosts the mornings program, was told on Thursday that her contract would not be renewed in 2025.
“Well, here’s the news from me in terms of disappointment,” Macdonald told her listeners.
“Listen, I’m not going to be on the radio with you next year, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at mornings.
“I am proud of what I’ve done. The ratings are up. I’ve broken lots of stories. Had the first interview with the new governor-general. I got the premier of NSW to regularly take your calls. Led the election coverage, led the move to our Parramatta studios.”
Macdonald has worked at the public broadcaster on-and-off over the past three decades.
Earlier this week, the penultimate radio ratings survey of the year showed Macdonald had increased her audience share to 7.5 per cent, up from 5.4 per cent in the previous poll which was released in early October.
Her cumulative audience grew by 27,000 in this week’s survey, up from 211,000 to 238,000.
Macdonald’s main talkback rival, 2GB’s Ray Hadley, registered a cumulative audience of 303,000 in this week’s poll.
Macdonald’s departure is part of a wider upheaval at ABC Radio across the country, with the organisation’s chairman Kim Williams known to be closely engaged in the restructure of the broadcaster’s radio division which has been beset by a dramatic post-Covid ratings slump.
On October 11, ABC Sydney drive host Richard Glover called time on his 26 years behind the microphone at ABC Sydney. Glover will be replaced by veteran TV and radio journalist Chris Bath.
On October 8, it was announced that Patricia Karvelas, who has hosted the breakfast program on Radio National for the past three years, would be stepping down from the role.
ABC Melbourne breakfast show host Sammy J announced last week that he would not be returning to the program in 2025. Ex AFL star Bob Murphy and Sharnelle Vella will fill the vacancy.
ABC Radio Adelaide mornings presenter David Bevan will also leave the national broadcaster at the end of the year, after a career at the ABC spanning almost four decades.
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