Jason Morrison (radio broadcaster)

{{Short description|Australian radio broadcaster}} {{update|date=October 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Jason Morrison | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_date =  | birth_place = | death_date =  | death_place = | other_names = | known_for = | occupation = Talkback radio broadcaster<br />TV personality | spouse = Heidi Tiltins | children = | website = [https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20160227203012/http://jasonmorrison.com.au/ jasonmorrison.com.au (2016 archive)] }} '''Jason Morrison''' is a conservative Australian talk radio presenter and newspaper columnist.

==History== Morrison was born in 1971 and raised in [[Hornsby, New South Wales|Hornsby]], a suburb of Sydney's North. He went to [[St. Leo's Catholic College|St. Leo's College]] at [[Wahroonga, New South Wales|Wahroonga]] and is Catholic.

He trained at [[2GB]] in a journalism cadetship programme in 1990 and later qualified at the [[Australian Film Television and Radio School]].

Morrison has spoken of working for [[Dick Smith Electronics]]<ref>http://www.2gb.com broadcast interview with Dick Smith September 2010</ref> as a salesman while working in radio to boost his income.

He studied Electrical Engineering and Law at University but did not complete the degree.<ref>http://www.radioinfo.com.au/main.php {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>

==Career==

===2GB=== Morrison's media career started with 2GB in 1989 at the age of 17 as a newsroom cadet and he has subsequently covered news and current affairs in all parts of the country and around the world. In 1998, Morrison was appointed Director of News at 2GB and remains the youngest person to have ever held that position.

Between 2008 and 2010, Morrison presented the Drivetime afternoon shift where he consistently held second-place in the market but never broke to number one. He was the regular alternate for [[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]] for several years and during an extended stint in Jones' breakfast shift actually out-rated him. Morrison told the ''Sydney Morning Herald'' at the time "it was luck and anyone who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves". Jones later remarked "I'm not surprised, Jason is hugely talented and one day I won't be here so it's in good hands".<ref>http://www.smh.com/entertainment/radiotv/25024f.htm{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In December 2010, Morrison announced that he would be leaving his position at [[2GB]] as host of Drive and move to rival [[2UE]]. It was speculated that he had a falling out with fellow presenter [[Ray Hadley]] which Morrison denied, "Ray is just being competitive about me leaving. What do you expect him to say, tune in and listen to him. We actually got on fine".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/morrison-takes-aim-at-jones/story-e6frewt0-1226000778462|title=Morrison takes aim at Jones}}</ref>

===2UE=== After three years at 2UE, Jason's contract was terminated at the end of 2013, after allegedly being told his conservative views and style did not fit with the future ideological direction of the [[Fairfax Media]] owned radio station. The decision was considered a shock<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/2ue-shock-jason-morrison-goes|title=2UE Shock: Jason Morrison goes – radioinfo.com.au|website=radioinfo.com.au|date=25 October 2013}}</ref> and prompted wide discussion in the media,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mumbrella.com.au/2ues-paul-murray-sacking-jason-morrison-loss-station-188402|title=2UE's Paul Murray: Sacking Jason Morrison is a loss for the station – Mumbrella|date=7 November 2013}}</ref> including by direct rival [[Ben Fordham]] who said "2UE has rocks in their heads for getting rid of Morrison".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/3708-2gbs-fordham-talks-about-2ues-morrison.html|title=2GB's Fordham talks about 2UE's Morrison – Radio Today|date=10 November 2013}}</ref> Fordham immediately offered Morrison a segment on his show which he accepted.

It was reported Morrison was sanctioned for criticising the board of Fairfax for refusing to allow [[Gina Rinehart]] to take up a board position, even though she was the largest single shareholder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/morrisons-rinehart-comments-provoke-board-complaint|title=Morrison's Rinehart comments provoke board complaint – radioinfo.com.au|website=radioinfo.com.au|date=24 May 2012}}</ref> The remarks reportedly resulted in legal action against Morrison which was later dropped.

It was reported Morrison fell out with 2UE management after siding with controversial presenter Michael Smith who left the station after being prevented from broadcasting allegations about [[Julia Gillard]]'s associations with the [[Australian Workers Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2012/11/a-great-man-and-a-great-mate-hes-on-your-side-too.html|title=Jason Morrison, a great man and a great mate – he's on your side too |author=Michael Smith |website=michaelsmithnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/jason-morrison-stands-jones|title=Jason Morrison stands up for Jones – radioinfo.com.au|website=radioinfo.com.au|date=October 2012}}</ref>

===Television=== Morrison was chief of staff at the Sydney newsroom of [[Network Ten]] for five years from 2000. He was promoted to Editor but left a year later to return to radio.

He regularly appears in short opinion slots of various national morning television shows including ''[[Sunrise (Australian TV program)|Sunrise]]''. He is a regular panelist on ''[[Paul Murray Live]]'' on [[Sky News Live]].

In October 2015, Morrison was appointed news director of ''[[Seven News|Seven News Sydney]]'' replacing Chris Willis''.''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Sarah|date=2015-10-28|title=Jason Morrison to head up Sydney news in Seven shake-up|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/jason-morrison-to-head-up-sydney-news-in-seven-shakeup-20151028-gkl4nm.html|access-date=2020-06-27|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref> He left the position in June 2023, handing the role over to Neil Warren.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaspan |first=Calum |date=2023-06-09 |title=Jason Morrison departs as 7News boss in Sydney |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/jason-morrison-departs-as-7news-boss-in-sydney-20230609-p5dfdv.html |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

===Other=== In 2014, Morrison began working as an advisor to Australia's richest person [[Gina Rinehart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/three-facts-about-jason-morrison-one-true-two-not|title=Three 'facts' about Jason Morrison. One true. Two not.|work=RadioInfo|date=5 January 2015|access-date=19 April 2015}}</ref> Morrison also attempted to gain pre-selection to run as a [[Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division)|Liberal Party]] candidate for the safe seat of [[Electoral district of Ku-ring-gai|Ku-ring-gai]] ahead of the [[2015 NSW state election]], but was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/jason-morrison-unsuccessful-liberal-pre-selection|title=Jason Morrison unsuccessful in Liberal pre-selection|work=RadioInfo|date=15 February 2015|access-date=19 April 2015}}</ref>

==Controversy==

===Wins long running defamation case=== In 2005 while broadcasting on [[2GB]], Morrison described Sydney Islamic activist [[Keysar Trad]] as a "gutless and a disgraceful and dangerous individual who incited racism and violence". Trad sued Morrison for defamation. Morrison and 2GB stood by the remarks. Morrison further described Trad as "typical of people who run around smearing others and the moment they are criticised, run to the courts".<ref name="2009 NSWSC 750">{{cite AustLII|NSWSC|750|2009|litigants=Trad v Harbour Radio Pty Ltd |date=31 July 2009 |courtname=auto}}.</ref> The case was won by Morrison and 2GB and described in the media as Australia's longest running defamation case after it went to the [[NSW Supreme Court]],<ref name="2009 NSWSC 750"/> the [[NSW Court of Appeal]],<ref name="2013 NSWCA 477">{{cite AustLII|NSWCA|61|2011|litigants=Trad v Harbour Radio Pty Ltd (No 2) |date=22 March 2011 |courtname=auto}}.</ref> and the [[High Court of Australia]].<ref name="2012 HCA 44">{{cite AustLII|HCA|44|2012|litigants=Harbour Radio Pty Ltd v Trad |date=5 October 2012 |courtname=auto}}.</ref> Trad was ordered to pay more than $500,000 in costs.<ref name="theaustralian.com.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/gb-court-costs-to-leave-keysar-trad-with-no-home/story-fna045gd-1227370449096|title=Court costs to leave Keysar Trad with no home |website=The Australian |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

===Al Jazeera=== In 2015, Morrison made international news when he told a leading British Islamic scholar he was "unfit for civilised society. You are uncivilised"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newenglishreview.org/blog_direct_link.cfm/blog_id/58885/Australian-Journalist-Jason-Morrison-Gives-Al-Jazeera-More-Than-They-Bargained-For-in-Discussion-of-Freedom-of-Speech |title=Australian journalist Jason Morrison gives Al-Jazeera more than they bargained for in discussion of freedom of speech |website=newenglishreview.org |access-date=18 August 2015 |archive-date=29 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329223524/http://www.newenglishreview.org/blog_direct_link.cfm/blog_id/58885/Australian%2DJournalist%2DJason%2DMorrison%2DGives%2DAl%2DJazeera%2DMore%2DThan%2DThey%2DBargained%2DFor%2Din%2DDiscussion%2Dof%2DFreedom%2Dof%2DSpeech |url-status=dead }}</ref> during a televised debate on [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]. The exchange took place during a debate about freedom of the press following the terrorist attack on ''[[Charlie Hebdo]]'' magazine. Morrison argued that people who thought the publishers had brought the attack on themselves: "So, please, spare me the justification garbage for these terrorists being upset and just responding to provocation. If you think they were even slightly justified for killing people who drew some pictures, then I'm afraid you are over in their column."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/resist_freedom_resist_democracy/|title=Resist freedom! Resist democracy!}}</ref>

==Awards== In 2007, Morrison received the Brian White Memorial award recognising sustained journalistic achievement. In 2009 he again received the same award, the only time it has been awarded to the same person twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/hamish-and-andy-sweep-radio-awards/story-e6frfn09-1225785344357|title=The 2009 Australian Commercial Radio Awards}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Jason+Morrison|title=Jason Morrison Photostream}}</ref>

==Personal life== Morrison is married and lives in [[Beecroft, New South Wales]]. He has three children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2013/11/a-beautiful-photo-of-heidi-charlie-and-the-new-addition-to-the-jason-morrison-tribe-oliver-one-week-.html|title=A beautiful photo of Heidi, Charlie and the new addition to the Jason Morrison tribe Oliver, one week old today – Michael Smith News|website=michaelsmithnews.com}}</ref>

He joined the staff of the Sydney ''[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]]'' in December 2013 as a columnist. Morrison has been a contributor to New Zealand radio station [[Radio Live]], along with TV-radio hybrid shows [[Paul Henry (TV programme)|Paul Henry]] and [[AM_(TV_programme)|The AM Show]].

He is a founding director of the medical charity Biaggio Signorelli Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biaggiosignorelli.org.au/about-us/the-board/|title=The Board – Biaggio Signorelli Foundation : Biaggio Signorelli Foundation|website=biaggiosignorelli.org.au|access-date=2 March 2014|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125070638/http://biaggiosignorelli.org.au/about-us/the-board/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He holds an [[amateur radio]] licence and has built the studios of two community radio stations as a hobby.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/233267/bike-path-rage-rides-counter-to-expert-opinion/?cs=7|title=Bike path rage rides counter to expert opinion|date=20 August 2012}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://twitter.com/JasonMorrisonAU Jason Morrison's Twitter feed] * [https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20160227203012/http://jasonmorrison.com.au/ Jason Morrison's website (2016 archive)]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morrison, Jason}} [[Category:1971 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Australian Film Television and Radio School alumni]] [[Category:Former 2GB presenters]]