Sydney’s Hope 103.2 has announced the closure of Hope News, which produced news bulletins for the radio station.
“Hope 103.2 has today announced the difficult decision to close its Hope News service, after a sustained period of financial pressure and careful consideration of the organisation’s strategic priorities, ” the station announced on February 5.
“Established in 2019, Hope News was created to provide trusted news and current affairs informed by professionalism, integrity and a Christian worldview.
“Under the leadership of News Director Anita Savage, with journalists Sarah Wiedersehn and Jefferson Shaw, the team elevated Christian voices often overlooked in other media. Hope News covered legislation and public inquiries impacting faith-based schools, aged care providers and religious freedoms, and frequently stood alone in seeking relevant Christian perspectives on local, national and international stories.”
Hope News’ closure follows the shuttering of The Melbourne Anglican, as job opportunities for Christian journalists continue to reduce.
In a farewell note, news director Anita Savage spoke about the positive achievements of the Hope news crew.
“In this climate where truth is under siege, news that is trustworthy is more important than ever,” Ms Savage said.
“Supporters of Hope News understood the need for balance and the quest for truth over sensationalism. The team at Hope News was dedicated to bringing the latest news in a way that would inform but not alarm. We worked under constant deadlines and pressure, sifting through copious amounts of information, to bring our listeners news they could trust.
“Hope News was unique in providing relevant Christian voices speaking to the news of the day, as well as bringing our audiences stories that impacted them that other news outlets didn’t cover. It was only Hope News that covered a Productivity Commission hearing into Special Religious Education in schools, the debate on allowing euthanasia in residential aged care facilities in NSW and the impact on residents and staff, balanced coverage of legislation impacting the hiring and firing of people at faith-based institutions, the Sydney and National prayer breakfasts, and issues impacting the freedoms of people of faith. We held our political leaders to account and asked the questions others didn’t.”