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ABC News dumps Natasha Exelby off air?

Updated: ABC denies Natasha Exelby had been "banned" from an on-air role.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbiBPNP98Us

Earlier:

ABC News has banned Natasha Exelby from an on-air role at following her blooper in which she hadn’t realised she was back on air.

The Daily Telegraph reports she was told she has been axed from news reading duties earlier today.

But while many colleagues have acknowledged their own “Oops” moment, ABC management has taken the matter very seriously.

Exelby, who was dropped from TEN’s Wake Up only 3 weeks into its short run, told News Corp “it would be inappropriate for me to comment”.

Updated: ABC News Director Gaven Morris said, “Live television is a demanding art and slip-ups will happen — our presenters are humans, not robots. We take on-air standards extremely seriously, but we don’t expect perfection. No one would ever be punished for a blooper and, while it isn’t appropriate to publicly discuss confidential details of people’s personal work arrangements, this has not happened to Natasha.

“Media reports that Natasha has been “banned”, “barred” or “fired” are untrue. Natasha is a freelance journalist who works as a contributor. She has been rostered for various shifts and has been assured since yesterday that we want that to continue. While she is not currently doing any on-air shifts, this will be subject to normal performance management. I have spoken to Natasha and conveyed our regret that this has attracted such attention.”

32 Responses

  1. Has this actually happened? Apparently No. What was the source of this fake news? Holly Byrnes, National TV editor, News Corp.
    Oh, well, there we go, again. Our famous NSW Daily Telegraph once again. ABC News Director Gaven Morris – “Media reports that Natasha has been “banned”, “barred” or “fired” are untrue”.

    1. I realise it’s easy to dump on News Corp, but Holly is very good journo who I’ve personally known a number of years. On social media she is sticking to her guns about what was said to Exelby. If there was miscommunication in ABC studio that’s another matter.

  2. This is what you get with an automated newsroom. The computer is very good at rolling vision, switching between sources, turning on lights, opening microphones, and switching between cameras. One thing it’s not good at is knowing if the human in the equation, the presenter, is ready.
    I’ll bet as well that the automated voice in her earpiece that counts down how long to go on the news item, had the wrong duration entered (a human manually enters that). Hence why the computer cut back to her when the vision ran out instead of what the automated voice (it’s called Kylie) was counting her down to.
    All ABC news stories end with the reporter saying ABC News and then their location. Even before automation the crew were all listening out for this phrase as wrong durations on tape items is nothing new. However humans will realise and warn you but the computer just cuts back to you

  3. A substantial over-reaction. Besides, there must be at least 2 other people on the floor, and presumably someone else in her ear who might take some responsibility here.

  4. I saw this on The Project, Peter Helliar stuck up for Natasha and most comments here echo the same sentiment. Not worthy of the punishment, ABC need to loosen up! ABC should’ve reacted to this in good nature similar to the BBC and the interviewer with his kids

  5. Natasha is a bit of a fun girl from what I remember of her on Wake up. That clip looked like a deliberate bit of fun to me. And maybe that is what ABC had an issue with…..ABC news is no place for fun.

  6. Though very hilarious, it is very unprofessional of her to not be paying attention for the short time she is on air. It is a network that sets the standard of news in this country so it’s fair for ABC to remove her.

      1. Perhaps that is a valid criticism. However, if we assume this isn’t a regular occurrence on her part, plus given the impressively lightning fast recovery on Natasha’s part when she realised her mistake , you’d think ABC News’ alleged ‘benching’ tactics are most definitely an over-reaction in this case.
        Perhaps ‘casuals’ (i.e. non-staff) are effectively judged to a higher standard where mirror slip-ups aren’t excused; if true I’d argue this is also very unfair to say the least.

  7. That seems very excessive for what was simply a moment of distraction. She didn’t swear or try to give a colleague an unwanted kiss.

  8. How about the Director/Vision Switcher and or Producer as well who cut back to her at the end of the package? Were they aware or watching to see if Natasha was ready and composed for her next live read?
    Hmmmmm?

  9. Oh for crying out loud!…..I was expecting to see something awful…honestly ABC management….build a bridge and get over it….pathetic….
    I really enjoy the ABC News presenters….including this young lady….
    What management is doing to the ABC is a far worse crime….the new logo for one…it is depressing.

    1. The largely black logo reminds me of doom and gloom, I don’t like it at all. I couldn’t read the names and temperatures on the weather map either. Not a fan.

  10. For goodness sakes, get over it. I have seen others on live TV make mistakes. Who cares anyway? Its only a big deal if something is made out of it.

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