ABC Radio Sydney acting manager Mark Spurway informed staff of the scheduling changes in an email on Monday morning;however,he did not address the reason for the change.
“From this week summer programs kick in with various presenters. As a late change Josh Szeps will not present his afternoon show for the rest of the year. Josh will not return to ABC Radio Sydney in 2024 and we wish him well on his many future endeavours.”
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As a result,ABC Melbourne’sJacinta Parsons will present a national afternoon program from this week until January 5 as his replacement. Next year,current ABC Sydney breakfast host,James Valentine willreturn to the afternoon slot in a line-up shuffle.
A senior ABC source not authorised to speak publicly said management made the decision following a string of run-ins,which included his on-air resignation last month.
Szeps appeared on Markson’s Sky News show on Thursday to discuss activism relating to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza,following a self-described “rant” on his podcastUncomfortable Conversationsearlier that day.
Szeps,whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors,outlined his views on online activism,particularly relating to a rise in pro-Palestinian sentiment and “blind spots” for those who claim support for minorities apart from Jewish people.