Australian Broadcasting Corporation Loses Veteran Radio Host Sabra Lane
In a significant blow to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), veteran radio presenter Sabra Lane is reportedly set to leave the national broadcaster by the end of the year, citing frustrations with the quality of her program and under-resourcing.
Lane, who has helmed Radio National’s daily current affairs program AM for the past eight years, has informed ABC’s news director, Justin Stevens, of her decision to step down, according to sources.
Reasons Behind Lane’s Departure
Insiders claim Lane’s decision to leave is due to her discontent with the lack of investment in radio, despite promises from management to deliver a “radio revolution.”
The source stated that Lane is “fed up” with the current format of AM, which has increasingly sounded like an extended news bulletin with little exclusive content.
Lane, who has a reputation for pushing to break real news, reportedly feels that the current format is not delivering the kind of program she “signed on for.”
Lane’s Career at the ABC
Lane began her career at the ABC in 2008 as a press gallery reporter in Parliament House, covering federal politics for AM, The World Today, and PM.
She later became a political correspondent for 7.30 before returning to radio in 2017 to succeed Michael Brissenden as host of AM.
Decline of AM’s Ratings
AM, once one of Australia’s most influential programs, has seen its audience dwindle alongside Radio National’s overall decline.