The last locally produced commercial television news program covering regional South Australia has been axed, along with several journalism jobs in regional centres.
Spencer Gulf Nightly News was broadcast to viewers in the Mid-North and Eyre Peninsula regions of South Australia, as well as Broken Hill in New South Wales.
The decision to axe the program with immediate effect was taken by media group Southern Cross Austereo (SCA).
SCA said the cancellation of the program would have consequences for staff across its regional stations.
"Discussions with affected staff for redeployment opportunities within SCA are underway," it said in a statement.
"The final local news bulletin went to air on April 12, 2023."
The ABC understands that several affected SCA staff members were unaware that the most recent airing of the news program would be the last.
Presented on weeknights from Hobart and airing on 7TWO for regional audiences, the bulletin featured stories produced by journalists based in Port Pirie, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Broken Hill.
'Country miles' on the line
The decision ends decades of commercial television news production operating under the call sign of GTS/BKN, a merger of the names of television stations based in Port Pirie and Broken Hill.
Former news director and 20-year employee Ken Jeffrey said it was a sad decline from the days of regional news programs being produced in-house.
"I think it's really going to be missed in the area, because it does give people the alternative," he said.
"It's been a great source of local news for those people for so many years and I guess now that they will look to other areas."
Mr Jeffrey said that the axing of the nightly news program meant it would be harder for aspiring journalists to get a start in the industry.
"The will be devastating for them," he said.
"Most of them would have started their journalistic career as 18 or 19-year-olds, and now where do they go?
"The industry is pretty tight at the moment — not many positions available, so they're going to be left out on a limb."
Patrick Reincke spent four years as an SCA video journalist in Broken Hill and agreed the news cancellation was a blow to the industry.
"If you're wanting to make a name for yourself and become a reporter … if you can come out to a regional centre like Broken Hill, Port Pirie, Port Lincoln and do what we call country miles, you're looked upon more favourably in the metropolitan cities."
