Leigh Sales out of ABC election night coverage
Network news bosses have criticised the ABC for favouring Kerry O'Brien as its election night host over Leigh Sales.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under Election
Network news bosses have criticised the ABC for favouring Four Corners‘ Kerry O’Brien as its election night host over 7:30‘s Leigh Sales.
The Australian reports Sales declined a position on ABC’s election night broadcast after O’Brien was installed as host.
Seven Network news director Rob Raschke described it as “baffling” while Nine news director Darren Wick said “she should definitely be there”.
“She’s a good operator who has done a great job on the flagship program.
“She doesn’t need to prove herself — she does that every single night.”
Another senior news producer said it was “bizarre and indulgent . . . and shows a lack of leadership . . . It’s endemic of the inability of a generation at the ABC to move along”.
An ABC spokeswoman said Sales was a crucial part of the ABC’s coverage. “The ABC are providing vastly more election coverage than any other outlet, with a wide range of expertise across radio, television, online and mobile,” she said.
Sales will present a special pre-election 7.30 on Friday night and will anchor a one-hour news special on Sunday night.
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- Tagged with 7:30, Four Corners
4 Responses
I like Leigh Sales but prefer Kerry O’Brien for election coverage. I think Virginia Trioli did the Victorian election in 2010 and it wasn’t the same without someone calling “a swing to the ABC”.
“It’s endemic of the inability of a generation at the ABC to move along.” Does this line come from a commercial network news producer? If so, that would have to be one of the most hypocritical things I’ve read in a long time.
That said, this story is coming from The Australian, so we should take it with a large grain of salt.
Do they not like each other? Its a long night and a big event I dont understand why there isnt room for both of them?
I prefer Kerry anyway.