Newstalk cancels Dil Wickremasinghe’s show

Global Village, the Saturday night show hosted by Dil Wickremasinghe on Newstalk, has been cancelled, the presenter has announced.

Dil has posted a statement on her website, saying she is deeply disappointed at this sudden news of the show being axed after 10 years.

It comes just after she refused to present her show following ‘Hookgate’ and when she did return, she hit out at Newstalk management saying they were unsupportive and unwelcoming to their female presenters.

The statement in full:

“Earlier today I met with Newstalk management who told me that despite positive ratings and performance, my Saturday night radio show “Global Village” has been cancelled. I am shocked and deeply disappointed at this sudden news.

10 years ago, I set out to create a unique radio show which served as a platform to highlight the voices of the most vulnerable in our society and the issues that affect their lives – issues that I personally care passionately about.

Presenting “Global Village” every Saturday night between 19.00-20.00 on Newstalk has been one of the greatest privileges of my life and I enjoyed my time working on it immensely. Over the years I have worked with a fantastic production team and collaborated with countless voluntary and community groups nationwide and together we created something special, a space in Irish media that not only raised awareness but inspired listeners to be part of the change. Shining a light on social justice and mental health issues such as marriage equality, gender recognition, integration, undocumented workers and direct provision, penal reform, gender equality, women’s rights, disability, domestic violence, sexual abuse and violence and homelessness just to mention a few, has been my life’s work and I was proud to create a much needed space for these issues on Irish media.

I am grateful to the Newstalk team as they believed in me and gave me an opportunity to highlight the issues that mattered to me. Over the years Global Village survived numerous scheduling changes and cut backs and on two occasions I personally sourced sponsors to ensure the future of the programme.

As someone who has first-hand experience of what it feels like to be on the outside looking in I will continue my work as a journalist and advocate for those on the margins of our society. It has always been my personal belief that equality for one person is equality for all and have always regarded my work on Global Village more than just a job but my own civic duty to spark positive social change one conversation at a time.

In keeping with the universal message of the show and indeed my work as an activist, broadcaster, diversity trainer and mental health service provider through Insight Matters, I have always ended each show by reminding our listeners that we are all part of a Global Village.

My heartfelt thanks to all who have journeyed with me over the years and I look forward to connecting with you all again as I continue my work through different channels for change.”

STATEMENT – My Newstalk carrier comes to an abrupt end after a decade. #goodbyeglobalvillage pic.twitter.com/1qHVWHS9zj

— Dil Wickremasinghe (@DilW) October 5, 2017