Lots happens in the radio industry each week so here’s a summary of the week we just enjoyed.
Here’s what Happened
If you’re reading Radio Land then realistically you probably love radio. It’s never good when you hear of bullying in the industry, but it’s definitely important to talk about.
This week, Today FM presenter Phil Cawley spoke to the Sunday World about how he felt bullied during his final year at Today FM. He has also spoken about this on other platforms in the past too, with podcast clips doing the rounds on TikTok.
Phil now works for other broadcasters including South East Radio and Classic hits, and is set to host a new online dating show soon. Phil claims his Today FM pay went from €80,000 to €10,000 as he got moved to weekends, and claims he was given zero dignity when leaving the station.
He also claims that he “was at the receiving end of phone rants and horrible emails, getting blamed for stuff on the show that had nothing to do with him.”
As depressing as it sounds, workplace bullying is always going to be a thing, but Phil does raise some points that are unique to those working in media. looking at how we solve these issues is a worthwhile endeavour.
Eventually, no matter how good you are at your job, a time comes when you don’t fit a stations demographic. You’re not going to have a 60 year old presenting on the likes of Spin or Beat, even if they are a fantastic presenter.
What does that mean though for a talented presenter who has done nothing wrong and is just not in the demographic any more? In some ways Phil hit lucky with south East Radio and Classic Hits, but he also had to take a job doing deliveries for a time. That tells us quite clearly that radio isn’t a secure industry to work in.
That manifests in different ways. Many younger radio staff will eventually probably want to try get a mortgage, and can’t afford for a station to just say sorry, your on weekends now. How do we solve this?
How do we enable presenters to keep their dignity once they don’t fit a station anymore? Honestly I’m not sure of the answer here. It’s definitely worth considering though.
Phil says those involved in all of this no longer work for Today FM, but despite this there are probably lessons to be learned here. It’s important to discuss these things if we want to make radio a sustainable career for people going forward.
Read the story about Phil’s experience here
RTÉ’s director of content Jim Jennings will leave the organisation on the 31st of August in a deal agreed with the support of the Workplace Relations Commission.
Jim has had many different roles at RTÉ over the course of a 40 year career, but has been out of work in recent times on health grounds.
RTÉ were reportedly looking into an exit package in the region of €400,000 earlier in the year, but it’s unclear if that relates to Jim. Under the terms of the WRC process the amount can’t be disclosed.
RTÉ have however said that the amount will be reflected in its accounts next year, so it will probably be worked out at some point.
RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst has wished Jim the very best of luck for the future. Jim’s role has now been split in two, with directors for Audio and Video.
Read the details from RTÉ here
It’s always good to point out some great examples of public service content. This week I stumbled across a really cool project from KCLR, so I wanted to share it.
Guest Editor is funded by Coimisiún na Meán under the Sound and Vision scheme, and is produced by Úna Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh. It gives local community representatives the opportunity to tell their story, with a 13 part radio series.
Covering everything from youth issues to poetry, the show can be heard on the KCLR Website. This kind of content is extremely important, so it’s great to hear it on air.
Well done to everyone involved in this production, we need more of this kind of work in radio.
Quick Bits
Joseph Hoban has been appointed RTÉ’s new head of communications
All the broadcasters want to get into Politics
Rising Time is looking for a sponsor, with 12 months costing €80,000
Winners were presented at the best of cork awards from 96FM
And that’s the summary for this week. Come back to radio land next week for more radio news📻 and be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for more fun from the world of radio.