Primedia Broadcasting announces news promotions

The newsrooms of both Talk Radio 702 and 94.7 Highveld Stereo have been restructured with an overall editor and two news managers. Katy Katopodis will become Johannesburg editor for both Talk Radio 702 and 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Lynne O'Connor is now 702's news manager and Benita Levin will manage 94.7.

Katopodis joined Primedia as a journalist, then hosted her own talk show before her appointment as 702's news editor in 2001. Primedia's group head of news and talk programming, Yusuf Abramjee, said, "Katy has excelled as a news editor by encouraging and motivating journalists in the newsroom. She has promoted eyewitness news and displays an excellent knowledge of local and international news."

O'Connor has been at Primedia Broadcasting for almost 10 years. "She has a very good idea of what the listeners are interested in hearing and has, over the years been an integral part of the team," Katopodis said.

She added that Levin had worked closely with the 94.7 team for the past three years and would ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the newsroom. "She also knows what music radio listeners want from news."

Katopodis commented, "There is now a very solid team in place and we look forward to raising the bar on news and information."