What's New June 14, 2013

Fairfax sack Howard Sattler

This afternoon Fairfax Radio have terminated Drive Host Howard Sattler over his questioning of Prime Minister Julia Gillard about the sexuality of her partner Tim Mathieson this week.

See our earlier story and hear the audio here.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard spoke in Adelaide today saying that she would not be discussing the Sattler interview;

"I'm aware that a number of you want to ask questions in relation to yesterday's interview,'' she told the gathered media. "I'm not intending to make any comments on that interview.''

6PR General Manager Martin Boylen announced Sattlers termination on-air this afternoon, hear the announcement below;

Fairfax Radio have released a statement saying;

During an interview on the Drive Program yesterday, presenter Howard Sattler pursued a line of questioning with Prime Minister Julia Gillard that was disrespectful to the office and person of the Prime Minister and was entirely inappropriate.

Radio 6PR apologises unreservedly to Ms Gillard and Mr Mathieson for allowing these matters to be raised on the Drive program.

In the wake of yesterday’s interview, Radio 6PR suspended Mr Sattler from broadcasting pending a review of the matter today.

The station has now decided to terminate Mr Sattler’s engagement.

Sattler has said that he is flabbergasted by his sacking, saying;

"I've given 28 years of my life to this station, I don't want a medal or anything for it but I've done a lot of good for a lot of people. I'd like to think I could have done more good."

He had 6 months left of his 2 year contract and is said to be planning legal action over his dismissal.