Former Radio Tay newsreader Greg Russell has spoken out at the station’s decision to make some of the station’s staff redundant, he commented on the shift in the station’s focus at the end of a bulletin.
Before closing, Russell [link=http://radiofail.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/newsreader-final-bulletin-and-exit/]said[/link]: “It’s been fun for the past three years and I leave with a heavy heart, as part of the changes that have, in my humble opinion, destroyed the station I helped set up 29 years ago.”
As was reported on the AllmediaScotland website, following on from his on air outburst, Russell wrote to the station’s owners, Bauer Media, stating: "I am writing this from the viewpoint of someone who was an integral part of the team that set up Radio Tay in Dundee nearly 30 years ago and who has witnessed what I believe to be its destruction over the past year.
"It is not a reflection of the takeover of [previous owners] Emap by Bauer, more a critique of a management and programming style which leaves staff feeling threatened and alienates listeners.”
In response, a spokesperson for Radio Tay said: “The recent changes at Radio Tay will have minimal impact on our on-air content, whilst enhancing our commercial offering and better serving our audiences and advertisers.
“Losing talented people is always a last resort and although it is not appropriate for us to comment on individuals we would like to thank those who are leaving for the contribution they have made to the station over the years.”
[link=http://radiofail.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/newsreader-final-bulletin-and-exit/]Listen.[/link]
