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.
