Smalley debate: Radio silence from the 'straight white male broadcasters'

Keeping quiet: from left, Mike Hosking, Guyon Espiner and Duncan Garner.

Newstalk ZB host Rachel Smalley says she has been called sexist and sour for calling for more diversity on prime-time radio but the male broadcasters who she says dominate the airwaves won't be drawn into the debate.

In an opinion piece this morning, Smalley named the six men who make up a "near-monopoly of male broadcasters": Guyon Espiner, Duncan Garner, John Campbell, Paul Henry, Larry Williams and Mike Hosking.

She said every one of the men she named was a brilliant broadcaster" but she wasn't calling for a debate on quality, but diversity.

Smalley kicked off a vigorous debate last Friday, when she wrote that Campbell's appointment as the host of a new drive show on Radio New Zealand was "extremely disappointing" as it meant "introducing yet another white male broadcaster to prime time, at the expense of a strong, capable, experienced female interviewer".

Samlley said that order to accommodate Campbell, current Checkpoint host Mary Wilson would be taken off air, leaving Susie Ferguson, who co-hosts Morning Report on Radio New Zealand with Espiner as the only female voice on prime time radio.

Radio New Zealand has said it has promoted Wilson to a senior news role.

Smalley wrote today: "My position on Friday - and it's the same position today - is that New Zealand society isn't straight, white and male. So prime time radio, which achieves the greatest audiences, should not be straight, white and male either."

When approached by the Herald, Henry said he wouldn't be commenting on the issue. Espiner said: "It's not a debate I've instigated or one I can add much beyond what others are saying."

Campbell, Garner, Hosking and Williams have yet to respond to requests for comment from the Herald.

However, Smalley's latest comments have reignited debate on Twitter - where opinions are still divided on the matter.

Richard Beauchamp thanked Smalley for raising the issue and wrote, "The evidence suggests a need for balance, and balanced argument".

Well done, @Rachel_Smalley, for raising the issue. The evidence suggests a need for balance, and balanced argument. http://t.co/2m29WCk9a4

— Richard Beauchamp (@beacon67) August 9, 2015

Perfect Mike Hosking, Twitter's popular Mike Hosking parody account, rejected Smalley's opinion that he represented a lack of diversity, as "I drink Pinots from all round the world."

Diversity and inclusion specialists Rainbow Tick also supported Smalley's comments, tweeting "Excellent comments on the need for true diversity - we all win when we're all heard."

Others agreed with Smalley generally, but denied that John Campbell was part of the problem.

"Smalley was fine with agenda being dominated by her extreme right-wing male cohorts. Campbell DOES bring the balance," @mattedwords wrote.

Kim Potter agreed, tweeting that John Campbell was "one of the finer men in broadcasting" but Smalley had a good point - although he added: "Perhaps focus on Hosking/Henry?"

. @JohnJCampbell is one of the finer men in broadcasting, but @Rachel_Smalley has a good point, in general. Perhaps focus on Hosking/Henry?

— 𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝙿𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 🎸 (@kimpotter) August 9, 2015

Graham Cameron tweeted: "Fellow men, liking @JohnJCampbell doesn't mean @Rachel_Smalley's wrong. He's a great reporter & the system's a patriarchy; not hard to grasp".

Fellow men, liking @JohnJCampbell doesn't mean @Rachel_Smalley's wrong. He's a great reporter & the system's a patriarchy; not hard to grasp

— Graham Cameron (@GCSB_spy) August 9, 2015

Despite criticism, Smalley said she wouldn't budge from her position on diversity in news.

"I know it made people uncomfortable, but I'm going to say it again. Diversity in prime time is fundamental. No one wins if our world is being shaped by the perspective of one gender and one race, irrespective of their politics."

- nzherald.co.nz