Newstalk ZB host Rachel Smalley accused of 'sour grapes'

Rachel Smalley from Newstalk ZB Supplied to the Herald on Sunday for use in Spy

Newstalk ZB host Rachel Smalley's criticism of a "near-monopoly of white male broadcasters " has kicked off a vigorous debate on social media.

In an opinion piece this morning, Smalley wrote that the appointment of John Campbell to Radio New Zealand's new drive show was "extremely disappointing" as it had come at the expense of Checkpoint host Mary Wilson.

"We're introducing yet another white male broadcaster to prime time, at the expense of a strong, capable, experienced female interviewer," she wrote.

"Let's look at who's hosting the two prime time slots in this country, breakfast and drive. We've got Mike Hosking, Paul Henry, and Guyon Espiner and Susie Ferguson in a co-host role on National Radio. In drive, you have Larry Williams, Duncan Garner and now John Campbell."

Pip Keane, the former executive producer of Campbell Live, wrote on Twitter that, "Poor Rachel Smalley has sour grapes," noting that she was once Campbell's back-up presenter - and hadn't yet congratulated him on the new role.

Poor Rachel Smalley has sour grapes.

— Pip Keane (@pipkeane) August 6, 2015

"Except in this case the only similarity between Henry, Hosking and John is the colour of their skin," she wrote.

@Ahhmandah @AliIkram @CampbellLiveNZ except in this case the only similarity between Henry, Hosking and John is the colour of their skin.

— Pip Keane (@pipkeane) August 7, 2015

Former Campbell Live reporter Ali Ikram also commented on the matter, tweeting that "the only thing u need no about JC's "perspective" is the day the show was canned he was reporting on an otara woman working 3 jobs 2 get by".

However, Radio New Zealand CEO Paul Thompson tweeted that Smalley had "raised an important issue and that should be respected as we debate it".

He emailed the Herald in response to the column and pointed out that Wilson had not been taken off air to make way for Campbell, but had been promoted to a more senior newsroom role.

I think Rachel Smalley has raised an important issue and that should be respected as we debate it https://t.co/pLUbIksjzF

— Paul Thompson (@strikerpaul) August 7, 2015

"Mary has been promoted to a leadership role in which she will drive the news agenda for RNZ," he wrote.

"That made room for John (particularly given that Jim Mora wants to focus on The Panel). Mary will actually be John's boss."

Metro magazine's Simon Wilson also offered support for Smalley's views, tweeting that she was "NOT WRONG to say too few women in key broadcast roles. Why attack her for that?"

The hating on @Rachel_Smalley today beggars belief. It's great @JohnJCampbell's going to @CheckpointRNZ & MaryW deserves promotion but...1/2

— Metro (@MetroMagNZ) August 7, 2015

... 2/2 @Rachel_Smalley is NOT WRONG to say too few women in key broadcast roles. Why attack her for that? ^SW

— Metro (@MetroMagNZ) August 7, 2015

Others felt that Smalley opinions on gender were cheapened due to a controversy last year, when Smalley was heard calling New Zealand women "heifers" and a "bunch of lardos" when she thought she was off air.

Simon McCarthy tweeted, "Smalley forgot to mention the last time such damage was done to female equality was when one of their own called a 70kg woman a heifer/lardo".

Smalley forgot to mention the last time such damage was done to female equality was when one of their own called a 70kg woman a heifer/lardo

— simon mccarthy (@CarnageSimon) August 7, 2015

Twitter user @meegille agreed, writing "From the mouth of the woman who had the audacity to call a 70kg nz woman a heifer".

Debate continues as Smalley remains the second-highest trending topic on Twitter for New Zealand.

@Rachel_Smalley fantastic piece in the Herald. It changed my mind. I love @JohnJCampbell but you are right: he's better of the same.

— Nat Torkington (@gnat) August 7, 2015

Mary's promotion to make a place at @radionz for John, yet another white male, didn't impress Rachel Smalley.

— Alasdair Thompson (@ajthompson13) August 7, 2015

Here @Rachel_Smalley raises a good point http://t.co/x3rmR0lI1m

— Andrea Vance (@avancenz) August 7, 2015

White males under attack from @Rachel_Smalley . She mistakenly thinks your sex defines you as a broadcaster. It doesn't she' is a sexist .

— Robin Grieve (@RobinBGrieve) August 7, 2015

Smalley raises some fine points, but to be fair I’m more than happy for my daughters views to be shaped by John Campbell.

— Kris B (@kris_bNZ) August 7, 2015

I loved working with @Rachel_Smalley on Firstline and totally support her white male concerns! http://t.co/tomwEDPCzk pic.twitter.com/ZLpxSQoSNY

— Dr Michelle Dickinson (@medickinson) August 7, 2015