TV veteran Liz Hayes says her 50 years in journalism is a ‘bloody miracle’
Veteran TV journalist Liz Hayes said reaching 50 years in the media industry is a huge feat — but it didn’t come without serious challenges.
Journalist Liz Hayes says it's a “bloody miracle” she has reached 50 years in the media, and she is thankful the industry has changed for the better.
“I’m a hard worker, I’m interested, curious, engaged, and that keeps me wanting to be there,” she told The Australian.
“I started out when I was a novelty — women, that is — and I’m pleased to say that’s no longer the case.”
Hayes began her career as a 17-year-old cadet journalist at The Manning River Times in Taree, on the mid north coast of NSW, before she eventually moved into television to become one of the country’s most successful female journalists.
She said the credentials required to be a talented on-screen reporter had significantly shifted over the years. “I’m an older woman, I’m 67, I haven’t had a facelift, I am who I am,” she said.
“What you’re looking at is a woman who is that age and I think that’s OK now, I don’t think it always was, there were expectations of how you looked.
“I think we are now more accommodating of the truth of our society, which is that we come in all shapes and sizes and ages.”
Asked whether women had a “use-by date” in the TV industry, Hayes said she was a living example older women could have long and successful careers.
“It still comes down to being able to do the job,” she said.
“I haven’t felt I have a use-by date, I think that’s the good news for every woman in the media that does the kind of work I do.”
Hayes is showing no signs of slowing down — she hosts the Nine Network’s Under Investigation program, now in its sixth season, and also reports for 60 Minutes.
Ahead of International Women’s Day on Friday, Hayes speaks highly of her younger female counterparts rising up through the ranks in an industry which for decades was male-dominated.
“The women coming into journalism and television journalism now are smart. I was naive,” Hayes said.
“If you don’t make it today, I would like to think it’s for all the right reasons and it might be that your place is in another part of the industry if you are looking to be on camera.
“There are some great producers, writers, production people, editors in my world, and everywhere I look in my office today there are women.”
The TV veteran does admit, however, one aspect of the industry does make her very “uncomfortable” — social media.
“It might be because I’m a bit of a dinosaur, but I think there are traps all over the place,” Hayes said.
“I think it’s an essential tool on many levels, it’s a way of communicating and finding out things, but I’m uncomfortable with it.
“I don’t use Facebook, I have Instagram, I have a private and public one which is purely professional, I have a LinkedIn account but I don’t go there.”
Hayes said while it was “so easy to put yourself out there” online, it could come at a considerable cost.
“It’s dicing with the devil a bit, it’s not for me,” she said.
As for what’s next for the broadcaster, she said there’s no sign of her leaving the media industry just yet.
“At 67, it would be reasonable that I should be considering what else but at the minute, I don’t have a plan to do much else,” she said.
“I have a few projects I’m working on.”
Hayes released her memoir in November, I’m Liz Hayes, a reflection on her life and on her career.
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