Alan Jones Has Finally Been Dumped By Sky News And Honestly, Good Riddance
Jones' final show will air tonight.
Controversial broadcaster and man you love to hate Alan Jones has announced his departure from Sky News Australia, with his final show on the network airing tonight.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, Jones asserted that the network would not renew his contract for his regular 8pm program — instead, offering him a slot on News Corp’s new streaming service, Flash.
“I write in my regular Thursday column to advise you that the management at Sky News have indicated to me that they will not renew my contract, which ends on November 30” he wrote in a lengthy Facebook post.
“It is, of course, the prerogative of any employer to make such a decision; but, given this is the case, I feel an obligation to my viewers to make some observations to avoid certain misconstructions.”
Jones joined the network back in 2013 as a co-host of the Richo + Jones show, before anchoring his own Jones & Co program. More recently, he hosted the titular Alan Jones show from July last year.
“Regrettably Alan has decided not to accept a new role that was offered to him for next year. We respect his decision and know he will be missed by many,” Sky News Australia CEO Paul Whittaker said in a statement regarding his departure.
“Alan has contributed greatly to Sky News Australia over the years, advocating without fear or favour on the issues important to many Australians.”
The news comes after Jones retired from his talkback radio gig in May last year after a series of controversies. He also had his weekly column in The Daily Telegraph pulled in July after repeatedly spreading anti-vax and anti-lockdown commentary.
Throughout his lengthy media career, Jones has made some truly shocking comments — including an assertion that Julia Gillard’s late father “died of shame” and that Scott Morrison should “shove a sock” down New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s throat.
He has also repeatedly used racial slurs (including the n-word) and never faced any disciplinary action for this — despite the Australian Communications and Media Authority finding him in breach of the Code of Practice. And we simply cannot forget the time he asserted that the Stolen Generation was a good thing for Indigenous children.
Not to mention, he has repeatedly used his various platforms to deny climate change and undermine Australia’s COVID efforts. And that’s just scratching the surface on Jones’ long and controversial career.
It is unclear who will replace Jones’ 8pm slot, but the news comes after controversial British broadcaster Piers Morgan announced he will join the News Corp Australia network next year.