Broadcast journalist Nicole Chvastek and Australia’s pre-eminent journalism  ethics expert Denis Muller seek out the media industry’s good, bad and ugly, taking you behind the headlines in their revealing podcast Truth, Lies and Media.  

New episodes are out each Wednesday. Episodes already aired, from the latest, are The Election Circus, The Judge and the Journalist, Streets of Fear, Great and Powerful and Attack Dogs.  

People can support the crowdfunding show by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/truthliesandmedia online.

Nicole, who is well known as the former host of the ABC Statewide Drive radio  show and lives in Malmsbury, said it would be appreciated if people are enjoying the show, that they share it around, and write a quick review on their Podcast platform of  choice.  

“Every piece helps us reach a wider audience. It’s very much appreciated!”  

Denis Muller, also a resident of Malmsbury, is a former associate editor at The  Age. The pair hosted the Behind The Media segment for eight years on ABC Radio.  

Words: Donna Kelly  

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

ABC Statewide Drive broadcaster Nicole Chvastek remains missing from the airwaves after two months with no explanation from the national broadcaster.
The show was also replaced for some weeks by Melbourne Drive but has returned with former Country Hour host Warwick Long.
An ABC media spokesperson said the matter was now before the Fair Work Commission and he could not comment.
Ms Chvastek’s lawyer, Mark Comito of Stal Employment Lawyers, said the matter was adjourned for a further conference at the Fair Work Commission on June 15.
“Discussions are continuing about Nicole’s application seeking orders to stop bullying,” he said.
On April 13, the ABC media spokesperson told The Local that Statewide Drive had been temporarily replaced with Melbourne Drive “due to operational reasons outside our control” but the show and Ms Chvastek would return.
On May 4 the spokesperson said Ms Chvastek was on leave and would return when refurbishments at the ABC Ballarat office were finished.
Ms Chvastek, a Malmsbury resident who has presented Statewide Drive from ABC’s Ballarat studios since 2012, was unable to be contacted for comment.
On a petition at change.org one person wrote: “I miss hearing Nicole on my radio every afternoon. Nicole lives in regional Victoria and she knows the issues which are important to us. She is such a compassionate person who is able to discuss very emotional and emotive issues so respectfully and with a focused and balanced approach. I miss her sense of humour and banter with guests, people who call in and colleagues. Please bring her back.”

ABC Statewide Drive presenter Nicole Chvastek is on leave but will return in six weeks, ABC
spokesperson John Woodward has told The Local.
Mr Woodward said the ABC Ballarat studios were being refurbished so the show was now coming out of
ABC’s Shepparton studios, hosted by Warwick Long.
“That arrangement will continue until the refurbishment work is complete, which is expected at the
end of June.”
On April 13, Mr Woodward told The Local the show had been temporarily replaced with Melbourne Drive
“due to operational reasons outside our control” but it would return with Ms Chvastek.
Mr Long, who hosted the ABC’s Victorian Country Hour, started in the Drive chair on Monday, May 1.
A change.org petition asking for the popular Malmsbury presenter’s return has more than 500
signatures, and a Facebook page, Fight for Nicole, is also up and running.
The petition says: “Nicole has been on our air waves for many years bringing relevant issues and topics to the forefront of public discussion.
“She tackles these issues with a passionate and balanced approach and has become a trusted
spokesperson for us all. She is irreplaceable.
“This axing is another example of regional Victoria not being adequately represented in the state arena.”
Words: Donna Kelly