Hope 103.2 Announces Closure of Hope News Service

Hope 103.2 has today announced the difficult decision to close its Hope News service, after a sustained period of financial pressure and careful consideration of the organisation’s strategic priorities.

Established in 2019, Hope News was created to provide trusted news and current affairs informed by professionalism, integrity and a Christian worldview.

Under the leadership of News Director Anita Savage, with journalists Sarah Wiedersehn and Jefferson Shaw, the team elevated Christian voices often overlooked in other media. Hope News covered legislation and public inquiries impacting faith-based schools, aged care providers and religious freedoms, and frequently stood alone in seeking relevant Christian perspectives on local, national and international stories.

“This is a deeply painful decision,” Hope 103.2 CEO Phillip Randall said.

“Hope News has been delivered by an exceptional team of journalists who have served our audience faithfully, ethically and with great heart. We are incredibly grateful for their work and the contribution they have made to our ministry and to Australian media.”

“This is a deeply painful decision,” – Phillip Randall, Hope 103.2 CEO

The decision follows several years of intense economic pressure affecting the broader charity and media sector. Despite extensive efforts to secure sustainable funding through sponsorship and supporter income, the cost of delivering the news service in the current economic environment is no longer viable without placing ongoing strain on the ministry.

“We have prayerfully explored and exhausted all reasonable options, and we have delayed this decision as long as we responsibly could,” Mr Randall said.

“Ultimately, we must steward the ministry in a way that ensures its long-term strength and ability to serve listeners with hope.”

Hope 103.2 is proudly supported by

“We honour our journalists’ professionalism and thank them sincerely for their service.”

Reflections and a note of thanks from Hope News director Anita Savage

“In this climate where truth is under siege, news that is trustworthy is more important than ever,” Ms Savage said.

“Supporters of Hope News understood the need for balance and the quest for truth over sensationalism. The team at Hope News was dedicated to bringing the latest news in a way that would inform but not alarm. We worked under constant deadlines and pressure, sifting through copious amounts of information, to bring our listeners news they could trust.

“Hope News was unique in providing relevant Christian voices speaking to the news of the day, as well as bringing our audiences stories that impacted them that other news outlets didn’t cover. It was only Hope News that covered a Productivity Commission hearing into Special Religious Education in schools, the debate on allowing euthanasia in residential aged care facilities in NSW and the impact on residents and staff, balanced coverage of legislation impacting the hiring and firing of people at faith-based institutions, the Sydney and National prayer breakfasts, and issues impacting the freedoms of people of faith. We held our political leaders to account and asked the questions others didn’t. To NSW Premier Chris Minns: if legislation to stamp out conversion therapy also meant people could be prosecuted for praying with or for someone who’s same sex attracted (He said they wouldn’t be). To Sydney’s Lord Mayor, where the “Christ” was in her Christmas decorations in the city. 

“We are so thankful for the supporters who prayed for us daily and understood the importance of being informed and engaging in the wider world. Thank you.”

“We are so thankful for the supporters who prayed for us daily and understood the importance of being informed and engaging in the wider world. Thank you,” – Hope News director Anita Savage

The future of news for Hope 103.2

Hope 103.2 acknowledged that the closure represents the loss of a vision that extended beyond radio news alone.

“We believed Hope News could be the foundation of a broader Christian worldview approach to news and current affairs across multiple platforms,” Mr Randall said.

“While we are unable to continue that work at this time, we remain committed to being a trusted source of truth, encouragement and hope.”

Hope 103.2 will continue to focus on its core mission of engaging people with experiences of God’s love through music, storytelling and spoken content. When the ministry’s financial position improves, Hope will look for ways to present news and current affairs in a sustainable way.

“Our prayers are with our journalists and their families during this transition,” Mr Randall said.

“We honour their professionalism and thank them sincerely for their service.”