2GB ‘terrified’ of woke social media mobs targeting advertisers

2GB is said to be toning down some of its more conservative on-air voices in order to appeal to advertisers and avoid social media backlash.

According to The Australian, citing several unnamed senior sources, the conservative talkback network is concerned that woke mobs on social media could lead to advertisers withdrawing.

Former 2GB host Steve Price also weighed in on the record, claiming that managers at Nine Radio are scared of advertiser boycotts.

‘They don’t want these loud voices on their ­Monday-to-Friday breakfast, morning, afternoon and drive shows because they’re absolutely terrified advertisers will boycott them,’ he said.

Price exited 2GB in 2019 to launch his own show on Listnr called Australia Today.

Despite sources claiming conservative content is being toned down at 2GB, Nine’s head of radio content Greg Byrnes begs to differ.

‘Our broadcasters always call it as they see it,’ he told The Australian.

‘Advertising is stronger than ever because 2GB is delivering a broad audience off the back of our live and local strategy.’

Meanwhile, fans of talkback radio king Alan Jones have savaged the 2GB host’s successor Ben Fordham in the wake of his historic ratings slide.

After Fordham acknowledged his loss to KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O Show in the latest radio survey, his critics were quick to suggest the 44-year-old was losing listeners due to his perceived political leanings.

‘2GB sealed their fate when they swung to the left,’ tweeted one listener.

Ben had tweeted on Tuesday: ‘Congrats @kyleandjackieo on the win in the radio ratings. You’ve worked hard over decades and deserve the victory. Congratulations.’ 

However, 2GB listeners were less graceful, with one responding: ‘Go woke, go broke. Lost me a long time ago, Benny. Not prepared to make tough calls, like the man in the seat before you.’

Another commenter described Fordham as ‘a mad leftie’ – which is bizarre given that his views are hardly left wing.

The criticism follows a report in The Australian that said ‘a common refrain within the industry is that Fordham is “too safe”‘ compared to his predecessor.

Before the latest ratings survey, which saw 2GB toppled in the breakfast ratings for the first time since 2003, Jones had indicated he’d be open to coming back to radio. 

The veteran broadcaster, 80, who retired last year after claiming the workload was ‘detrimental’ to his health, said he was pondering a talkback return.

‘If someone wants to put a piece of paper in front of me I’ll be able to give them a “yes” or a “no” in five days,’ he said.

Jones also railed against his former contemporaries, claiming many are ‘too intimidated to say what needs to be said’ in the face of ‘cancel culture warriors’.

It’s a topic with which Jones has some experience, with ‘about 80 advertisers’ publicly distancing themselves from the former talkback king in the wake of comments he made about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. 

In 2019, Jones said the politician should have a ‘sock [shoved] down her throat’.  

The Sky News host told The Australian the country was ‘screaming out’ for more conservative voices, with many commentators ‘too intimidated’ to speak up. 

‘There’s no point to being in the chair or behind the microphone if you haven’t got any balls, and that’s what the public expect,’ he said. 

Jones’ comments come as Fordham continues to slide in the breakfast radio ratings.

The former drive-time host has held onto Jones’ top spot in the AM rankings, but ABC Sydney’s breakfast duo Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck have significantly closed the gap between first and second place.

Meanwhile, KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O Show beat Fordham in the ratings for the first time ever, making them Sydney’s number-one show across both AM and FM bands.