AM (radio program)

AM
Company type	Radio program
Industry	Broadcasting, News, Current affairs
Founded	September 4, 1967; 59 years ago
Headquarters	Hobart, Australia
Area served	Australia
Owner	Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website	www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/am/

AM stands as a premier Australian radio program and serves as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's leading current affairs broadcast, transmitted each morning on ABC Radio National alongside ABC Local Radio. Since its debut on 4 September 1967, it ranks among the nation’s longest-established radio shows.

20th century

The original host at AM’s inception on 4 September 1967 was Robert Peach, who presented the program across ABC Radio 1 (metropolitan) and ABC Radio 3 (regional) networks—now known collectively as ABC Local Radio. The show was accessible on stations including 2FC Sydney, 2NA Newcastle, 2CN Canberra, and 3AR Melbourne. Promoted as an engaging and topical half-hour segment featuring both national and international news, Peach introduced it as a novel perspective on current affairs.

Broadcast every weekday at 8:00am immediately following the 7:45am news update, AM rapidly established itself as the leading morning current affairs program in Australia. Two years later, the ABC introduced PM, an evening counterpart that became its flagship nighttime current affairs broadcast.

Initial critiques included a 1968 appraisal labeling the program as "uneven," citing "uninspired stories" and a "lackluster delivery." After Peach’s initial six-year period, former ATN-7 newsreader Brian Wright took over hosting duties in 1968 while Peach transitioned to production. Tony Lee succeeded Wright in 1969 before Peach returned later that year after recovering from an accident. During Peach’s absence, Glenn Menzies served as interim host.

In 1974, Bill Dowsett succeeded Peach; Dowsett had previously been the host of PM. Dowsett departed in 1976 to initiate the new public affairs show City Extra, with Hamish Robertson appointed to lead AM. Following Robertson’s move to the BBC World Service, reporter Kel Richards was promoted to host but was demoted two years later amid internal opposition from staff. Steve Cosser then assumed hosting responsibilities in 1979.

Red Harrison took over in 1982, recognized for his deep baritone voice and authoritative presentation style. John Highfield replaced Harrison in 1987. Around this period, AM expanded its reach to ABC Radio 2 (now Radio National) by introducing an earlier edition at 7:05am, which raised concerns about competition between simultaneous editions on different channels.

The program commemorated its 20th anniversary in 1987 with a special broadcast featuring former hosts Robert Peach, Red Harrison, Steve Cosser, Hamish Robertson, and ex-reporters reflecting on its history.

In 1994, Ellen Fanning became the first woman to host AM, having previously been the inaugural female presenter of PM. She remained until 1996 before shifting her focus exclusively to television journalism. Peter Cave, a foreign correspondent, succeeded her in 1997 and hosted a special edition celebrating the program’s 30th anniversary that examined the future of broadcast journalism. Esteemed guests included ABC managing director Brian Johns and original reporter Ray Martin.

21st century

Peter Cave continued as host until mid-2001 when he moved into the role of ABC's foreign affairs editor. Linda Mottram then took over as AM’s second female host.

After two years at the helm, Mottram stepped down in 2003 and was succeeded by Tony Eastley, who had previously presented ABC TV’s New South Wales edition of ABC News.

In 2007, AM celebrated four decades on air with former hosts sharing their experiences. Peter Cave recalled times when he delivered scripts on foot to then-host Bill Dowsett during live transmissions, underscoring the demanding nature of the show’s production.

Tony Eastley, who served as host for ten years—the longest tenure in the program’s history—resigned in 2014. Initially, Virginia Trioli from ABC TV's News Breakfast was named his replacement but soon returned to television roles. Subsequently, former 7.30 senior political editor Chris Uhlmann assumed hosting duties for one year before becoming ABC's political editor.

In 2017, marking its 50th year on air, AM saw Sabra Lane take over from Michael Brissenden after his move to ABC TV’s Four Corners. This milestone also brought refreshed theme music aimed at modernizing the program’s auditory branding.

It was announced in late 2020 that starting early 2021, AM would be broadcast from ABC Radio Hobart, coinciding with Sabra Lane’s relocation to Tasmania.

Claims of managerial meddling (1987)

In March 1987, allegations arose that ABC's senior management had influenced editorial choices when a scheduled live interview with John Pilger on AM was abruptly cancelled. This event followed Pilger’s contentious interview with Prime Minister Bob Hawke on ABC TV’s The 7.30 Report.

The heavily edited, pre-recorded segment attracted criticism for perceived partiality, with detractors including Hawke’s press secretary Barrie Cassidy and former New South Wales premier Neville Wran. ABC chairman David Hill stated that the Pilger interview did not meet the broadcaster’s professional standards, which led Pilger to assert that Hill had intervened under the pretense of safeguarding journalistic ethics.

Pilger proposed a live AM interview to clarify matters, but management opted not to proceed, citing concerns that Pilger’s comments about Hill could be defamatory. AM presenter John Highfield explained the cancellation was due to a "timely warning" from both management and legal advisors.

Acting executive producer Peter Cave accepted responsibility for declining the live interview opportunity, denying any pressure from higher-ups. While Cave acknowledged receiving advice regarding potentially libelous content in Pilger’s remarks, he maintained this did not rule out an interview. He explained the choice was made to prioritize stories deemed stronger for the program.

Allegations of partiality and anti-American bias (2003)

During 2003, AM encountered criticism from the Howard government concerning its reporting on the Iraq war, particularly related to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, with accusations of bias and anti-American attitudes.

Senator Richard Alston called for an urgent probe into AM's coverage. An internal investigation dismissed 66 allegations of bias but upheld two complaints. Subsequently, an independent review reversed some findings, endorsing 17 complaints against the ABC’s initial conclusions.

In January 2004, Alston submitted a formal complaint to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA), citing 43 violations of ABC’s codes of practice by AM. Following a 13-month inquiry, the ABA determined that on four occasions AM failed to maintain balance and impartiality in its Iraq war reporting. Although six complaints were upheld, three pertained to a single segment, resulting in four breaches overall.

The ABA recognized that despite AM’s coverage being "generally of high quality," recurring issues detracted from its overall standards. Managing director Russell Balding accepted these findings but defended the program as "professional, thorough, and balanced."

The draft conclusions by the ABA faced criticism from Media Watch host David Marr, while political journalist Michelle Grattan questioned Alston’s persistent efforts to have his complaints resolved favorably.

The Latham handshake incident (2004)

A memorable episode during the 2004 Australian federal election campaign took place at ABC’s Sydney studios during an AM broadcast. Both Prime Minister John Howard and opposition leader Mark Latham were interviewed. As Latham left the studio, he forcefully shook Howard’s hand, pulling his arm and encroaching upon his personal space. ABC’s former national radio current affairs editor Gordon Lavery described this as "one of the most extraordinary moments in political theatre." A photograph capturing this handshake remained displayed in the AM studio until 2017.

Latham later characterized his forceful handshake as retaliation, alleging Howard had previously "crushed" his wife. Howard responded by suggesting Latham intended to assert dominance through this gesture.

2023 Alice Springs reporting

On 31 January 2023, Indigenous affairs correspondent Carly Williams covered a town meeting in Alice Springs focused on persistent crime concerns. The ABC received multiple complaints alleging the report presented a one-sided perspective, implied elements of white supremacy, and failed to adequately represent diverse viewpoints expressed at the meeting. The Ombudsman upheld 19 complaints, concluding that impartiality standards were breached. In response, ABC re-edited the story, appended an editor’s note, and issued a public apology.

ABC managing director David Anderson acknowledged shortcomings in the report’s production process and initiated an internal review. Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson criticized the coverage for intensifying community tensions and accused ABC of attempting to provoke racial conflict, highlighting that the meeting was adjourned after some attendees resorted to racist language.

Federal opposition leader Peter Dutton called for intervention by ABC chairperson Ita Buttrose, while 2GB presenter Ben Fordham labeled the report as fake news, pointing out that Williams had not attended the meeting and only interviewed a limited number of participants outside.

Local businessman and meeting organizer Garth Thompson filed a legal complaint against ABC over reputational harm caused by suggestions he condoned white supremacy. Thompson demanded removal of related stories and a nationwide apology, stating he faced widespread criticism and abuse due to the coverage.

Current broadcast schedule

An early segment titled Early AM airs as a ten-minute program at 6:05am throughout the ABC Local Radio network.

Following a ten-minute ABC News bulletin at 7:00am, Radio National broadcasts a 20-minute edition of AM beginning at 7:10am.

The full-length 25-minute version of AM is broadcast on ABC Local Radio at 8:05am. Prior to 2020, it commenced at 8:00am following a 15-minute news bulletin at 7:45am. After discontinuing the 7:45 bulletin, a brief five-minute news update was introduced on the hour, reducing AM’s duration to 25 minutes.

A separate edition is produced for ABC Radio Perth and regional Western Australian stations at 10:00am EST due to time zone differences.

On Saturdays, AM airs under the title This Week on Radio National at 7:10am and on ABC Local Radio at 8:05am. The program does not have broadcasts on Sundays.

Presenters and correspondents

By 2023, AM has been hosted by seventeen presenters, with Tony Eastley holding the longest tenure from 2004 until 2014.

Throughout its more than five-decade history, only three women have served as hosts: Ellen Fanning, Linda Mottram, and current presenter Sabra Lane.

Prominent reporters associated with the program include Ray Martin, Richard Carleton, Jeff McMullen, Charles Wooley, Bob Carr, and Clare Martin.

Former hosts include:

Robert Peach (1967–1974)
Brian Wright (1968)
Tony Lee (1969)
Bill Dowsett (1973–1975)
Hamish Robertson (1976)
Kel Richards (1977–1978)
Steve Cosser (1979–1980)
Red Harrison (1981–1986)
John Highfield (1986–1987)
Peter Thompson (1988–1993)
Ellen Fanning (1994–1996)
Peter Cave (1997–2001)
Linda Mottram (2001–2003)
Tony Eastley (2004–2014)
Chris Uhlmann (2014–2015)
Michael Brissenden (2015–2016)
Sabra Lane (2017–present)

This Week (Saturday)

In August 2021, Saturday AM was rebranded as This Week. Presenters have included Linda Mottram; Elizabeth Jackson (2004–2018), who also served as producer; Thomas Oriti (2018), also producer; and David Lipson.

Theme music

The original theme from 1967 titled "Crossbeat" was a thirty-second electronic composition created by David Cain of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

The signature theme used for many years until 2017 was composed by Tony Ansell and Peter Wall and became one of Australia’s most instantly recognizable broadcast tunes.

To commemorate its fiftieth anniversary in 2017, a new theme was introduced for the program.

External links

Official AM program page