The Hunter’s federal politicians are banding together, calling on the WIN Network to reverse its cuts to NBN News.
It comes after the Wollongong-based entity announced it would scrap the region’s local weekend bulletins altogether from 27 June and cut the hour-long nightly broadcasts to just 30 minutes from 29 June.
All remaining content will be sourced out of Sydney.
The changes land just a month after WIN Network acquired NBN, with local communities expecting the investment would strengthen journalism and preserve the station’s longstanding commitment to regional news.
However, it appears that’s not the case, according to Hunter MP Dan Repacholi.
“It’s a dog act by WIN,” he said.
“Local news is a vital service… and Hunter communities deserve local stories told by local journalists, not a feed from Sydney.
“WIN promised a future for regional journalism and, instead, they’re cutting local news, axing weekend bulletins and putting jobs at risk.
“You cannot claim to back regional communities while stripping away the very news service those communities rely on.
“WIN must reverse these cuts as it places local jobs at risk.
“Journalists, camera operators, producers, editors and support staff have all played a critical role in building NBN News into one of Australia’s most respected regional services.”
Shortland MP Pat Conroy labelled the decision a “kick in guts for people across the Hunter and Central Coast”.
“From the 1989 Newcastle earthquake to the Knights’ first grand final win, the huge storms that saw the Pasha Bulker run aground or more recently the landslides in New Lambton, NBN has been a strong local voice and a crucial source of information for the community,” he said.
“It’s simply not acceptable the people across our region will no longer have a weekend news bulletin and will only get half a one during the week.
“Our thoughts are also with the hardworking newsroom staff at NBN who have stood up for their local communities, but who now face an uncertain future.
“They deserve better and our region deserves better.”
For more than six decades, NBN News has been part of the fabric of the Hunter and surrounding regions, covering events, emergencies, sporting achievements, community milestones and issues that matter to local people.
It’s ensured their voices were heard, too, according to Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon.
“NBN News has been keeping our community safe, informed and connected for 64 years,” she said.
“Newcastle is the largest regional city in NSW… and Novocastrians deserve news and content delivered from the heart of our community.
“Stories that affect the Hunter, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland and Central Coast cannot simply be replaced with content produced hundreds of kilometres away in Sydney.”
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson admitted the announcement was “heartbreaking” for her on a personal level.
“My first job in media was at NBN in Newcastle,” she said.
“So, I know first-hand the opportunities that television provides for young journalists, camera operators, producers and media professionals starting their careers.
“It’s vitally important our communities continue to have strong, dedicated local representation.”
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