Steve Ahern

Stephen Roderick Ahern was born in 1959.{{cite journal | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/33443910?keyword=%22Steve%20Ahern%22%20online | title = Steve Ahern | editor=Ahern, Steve | journal=Online Radio Industry Newsletter | year = 1999 | publisher = Ahern Media & Training (AMT) | issn=1446-9251 | location = Crows Nest, NSW }} He completed a Bachelor of Arts/Diploma of Education at Macquarie University in 1982.{{cite web | url=http://awc.alumni.mq.edu.au/s/1404/index.aspx?sid=1404&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=1447&ecid=1447&crid=0&calpgid=467&calcid=1241 | title=Stephen Ahern | website=Macquarie University Alumni Web Community | date=20 April 2011 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20140305004309/http://awc.alumni.mq.edu.au/s/1404/index.aspx?sid=1404&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=1447&ecid=1447&crid=0&calpgid=467&calcid=1241 | archive-date=5 March 2014 | access-date=14 February 2022 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He had started his career in radio in the late 1970s and by 1987 was acting station manager at Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC's) Canberra-based 2CN and 2CY.{{cite web | url=http://www.mediaman.com.au/interviews/ahern.html | title=Interview with Steve Ahern | website=Media Man Australia – The Online Home of Greg Tingle – Journalist and TV Presenter | last=Tingle | first=Greg | date=2 April 2003 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040815004305/http://www.mediaman.com.au/interviews/ahern.html | archive-date=15 August 2004 | access-date=14 February 2022 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118185105 |title=ABC radio is the loser in ratings war |last=Waller |first=Hugh |work=The Canberra Times |volume=61 |issue=18,821 |date=15 April 1987 |access-date=14 February 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia }} He became 2CN's manager in the following year and had previously managed 2NC, Newcastle.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101967266 |title=Manager for 2CN |work=The Canberra Times |volume=62 |issue=19,082 |date=3 January 1988 |access-date=14 February 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} After six years at 2CN, in 1993, Ahern became manager of Melbourne's 3LO.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127525920 |title=High Frequency: 2CD Managaer Lands Plum Victoria Job |last=Wallace |first=Mark |work=The Canberra Times. The Guide |volume=68 |issue=21,405 |date=22 November 1993 |access-date=14 February 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia }} From 1997 to 2009, he worked for Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS),{{cite web | url=http://www.cbonline.org.au/index.cfm?pageId=12,37,3,1691 | title=Steve Ahern to leave AFTRS | publisher=Community Broadcasting Online | date=12 January 2009 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090919200002/http://www.cbonline.org.au/index.cfm?pageId=12,37,3,1691 | archive-date=19 September 2009 | access-date=14 February 2022 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and was its Director of Radio for ten years,{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/03/1062548896464.html?from=storyrhs |title=Generation next |last=Javes |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=4 September 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030911120203/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/03/1062548896464.html?from=storyrhs |archive-date=11 September 2003 |access-date=14 February 2022 |url-access=subscription }}{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/commercial-radio-wants-to-match-tv-rebate/story-e6frg996-1225830259062?nk=b7c1b92a0dbc55565427c8ae4a28c42b |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140915015123/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/commercial-radio-wants-to-match-tv-rebate/story-e6frg996-1225830259062?nk=b7c1b92a0dbc55565427c8ae4a28c42b |archive-date=15 September 2014 |title=Commercial radio wants to match TV rebate |work=The Australian |author=Jackson, Sally |date=15 February 2010 |url-status=dead|url-access=subscription }}{{cite web | url=http://www.aupaytv.com/?itemid=1090 | title=Commercial radio wants to match TV rebate | author=Jackson, Sally | website=auPAYTV.com | date=15 February 2010 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120325113416/http://www.aupaytv.com/?itemid=1090 | archive-date=25 March 2012 | access-date=14 February 2022 | url-status=live }} {{cbignore|bot=medic}}Note: Repost of The Australian article. in 2020 he took on the role of Director of the ABU Media Academy in Kuala Lumpur.{{Cite web |title=ABU Media Academy Up and Running – ABU |url=https://www.abu.org.my/2020/07/02/abu-media-academy-up-and-running/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |language=en-US}} Ahern was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2009 "for his contributions to radio broadcasting as an educator, media trainer and author".{{cite web | url = https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1140924 | title = Award Extract – Australian Honours Search Facility | publisher = Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) | date = 8 June 2009 | access-date = 13 February 2022 }}{{cite news|author=Smith, Trevor|url=http://www.talkers.com/2012/03/12/trouble-in-paradise-3mtr-abandons-talk-format-in-melbourne/|date=March 12, 2012|title=Trouble in Paradise: 3MTR Abandons Talk Format in Melbourne|work=Talkers}}{{cite news|url=http://www.southasiatimes.com.au/news/?p=1271|title=Digital radio guru Steve Ahern addresses SAJAA members|work=South Asian Times|access-date=September 14, 2014}}

After leaving the ABC in the mid-1990s, Ahern founded Ahern Media and Training (AMT) and soon after he established the website, radioinfo.com.au. AMT publishes several trade journals. He consulted as a media futurist, advising broadcasters how to adapt to the new smartphone, smart speaker, podcast and social media environments, as well as advising on how to restructure radio and television media companies in the new digital media era. His presentations and articles include how media can be useful in fighting fake news,{{Cite web|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/antidote-fake-news-better-professional-media|title=The antidote to fake news is better professional media {{!}} radioinfo|website=radioinfo.com.au|access-date=2017-12-01}} radio in media-dark countries{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbaa.org.au/sites/default/files/media/Program-Grid-v7-FINALforonline.pdf|title=CBAA 2017 Conference Program|last=CBAA|first=Australia|date=9 November 2017|website=CBAA Conference|access-date=1 December 2017}} journalism in dangerous environments{{Cite web|url=http://www.commercialradio.com.au/awards-events/radio-alive-2017/2017-speakers|title=Journalism in a Dangerous World|last=Commercial Radio Australia|date=October 2017|website=www.commercialradio.com.au|access-date=1 December 2017}} and media reform in Australia. Ahern works with TV, radio and new media broadcasters to modernise their news gathering and broadcasting techniques{{cite news|url=http://www.asiaradiotoday.com/news/smartphone-videocourse-transforming-broadcasting-habits|title=Smartphone Video Course transforming broadcasting habits|work=Asia Radio Today|date=October 7, 2015}} and consults on organisational change for various international broadcasting and publishing organisations. In 2018, Ahern developed a successful business news-talk station called Money FM for commercial radio and publishing company SPH Singapore.{{Cite web |last=riasia_admin |date=2018-01-28 |title=Raining money at new SPH station launch |url=https://radioinfo.asia/news/raining-money-new-sph-station-launch/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=RadioInfo Asia |language=en-US}}

Ahern has commented in the media about the radio industry in Australia.{{cite news|url=http://www.airforces.com.au/air-forces-articles/2007/3/7/onair-heads/|title=On-air Heads|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|author=Lia Timson|date=March 7, 2007}} He is the editor and an author of the book, Making Radio: a Practical Guide to Working in Radio (2000), which was published by his organisation, AFTRS.{{Citation | author1=Ahern, Steve | editor=Ahern, Steve | author2=Australian Film, Television and Radio School | title=Making Radio : a Practical Guide to Working in Radio | date=2000 | publisher=Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS). Allen & Unwin | location = St. Leonards, N.S.W. | isbn=978-1-876351-07-6 }}[https://books.google.com/books?id=5t7Ski5wmVgC&dq=steve+ahern+radio&pg=PA154 Participative Marketing for Local Radio – Dennis List – Google Books] (2nd Edition 2011, 3rd Edition 2013).[http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/462949 Making radio : a practical guide to working in radio / edited by Steve Ahern | National Library of Australia][https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/csu-radio-students-embark-work-attachment CSU Radio Students embark on work attachment | radioinfo.com.au]{{Cite book |last=Ahern |first=Steve |title=Making Radio and Podcasts |publisher=Routledge |year=2022 |isbn=9781032020723 |edition=4th |location=Abingdon, Oxon, UK}} In 2022, the book was updated to an international edition, include podcasting and digital audio and is now called Making Radio and Podcasts, published by Routledge.{{Cite web |title=Making Radio and Podcasts: A Practical Guide to Working in Today's Radio and Audio Industries |url=https://www.routledge.com/Making-Radio-and-Podcasts-A-Practical-Guide-to-Working-in-Todays-Radio/Ahern/p/book/9781032020723 |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Routledge & CRC Press |language=en}} Ahern wrote a crime thriller, Harbour Terror (2007), which is set in a community radio station.{{Citation | author1=Ahern, Steve | title=Harbour Terror | year=2007 | publisher=Trafford Pub | isbn=978-1-4251-5611-4}}{{cite web | url = https://www.theusreview.com/reviews/Harbour-Ahern.html#.U-SPGGPDU7s | title = Professional Book Reviews: Harbour Terror by Steve Ahern – Trafford Publishing | last = Roper | first = John E | work = The US Review of Books | year = 2013 | access-date = 15 February 2022 }} He provided an entry on the first Director of AFTRS, Jerzy Toeplitz (1909–1995), for the Australian Dictionary of Biography {{cite AuDB |first=Steve |last=Ahern |title=Toeplitz, Jerzy Bonawentura (1909–1995) |volume=19 |edition= |year=2021 |id2=toeplitz-jerzy-bonawentura-27628 |access-date= 15 February 2022 }} and contributed two chapters to a book about South African media.{{Cite book |last=Sewlal |first=Robin |editor-first1=Robin |editor-last1=Sewlal |url=https://openbooks.dut.ac.za/index.php/dut/catalog/book/3 |title=REFLECTIONS of the SOUTH AFRICAN MEDIA: 1994 - 2019 |publisher=Durban University of Technology |year=2021|doi=10.51415/DUT.3 |isbn=978-0-620-94662-9 }}

Ahern has published articles and conference papers on the future of media, including the importance of Media Literacy in developing countries.{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiaradiotoday.com/news/letter-liberia-worldradioday|title=Letter from Liberia for #WorldRadioDay {{!}} AsiaRadioToday.com|website=www.asiaradiotoday.com|date=11 February 2017 |access-date=2017-03-28}} He trains media professionals through AMT and was the CEO of the International Media & Broadcasting Academy (IMBA).[http://www.adnews.com.au/news/talkback-switch-leads-to-drop-in-listeners Talkback switch leads to drop in listeners – AdNews][http://english.vov.vn/Society/Development/Radio-broadcasters-discuss-new-challenges/266397.vov Radio broadcasters discuss new challenges | VOV Online Newspaper] He was a board member of the Community Broadcasting Foundation of Australia.{{Cite web|url=https://cbf.org.au/profiles/steve-ahern/|title=Board of Directors|last=|first=|date=|website=www.cbf.com.au|access-date=2017-12-01}} In 2000, he was the founding consultant and curriculum developer for the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA) and in 2012 was founding consultant for Nai Media Institute, the first professional media training organisation in Afghanistan. In 2014 Ahern and business partner Peter Saxon bought AsiaRadioToday.com[http://www.asiaradiotoday.com/news/asia-radio-today-sold-radioinfo-australia AsiaRadioToday sold to Radioinfo Australia | Asia Radio Today] and in 2015 he and his business partners were the first to develop and launch a 'catch-up radio' product called Rewind Radio.

Ahern has been active in training radio and television industry organisations for the transition to digital radio, digital television, and new OTT services. He worked on various media aid projects, consulting to develop independent media publishing companies in countries including Afghanistan, South Sudan and Liberia. He lectures about the future of media, broadcasting and media literacy in Australia and internationally,{{cite news|title=Radio Asia 2013: Social media workshop|url=http://asiaradiotoday.com/2013/07/radio-asia-day-1-social-media-amplifies-your-brand/|work=Asia Radio Today|date=July 29, 2013}} and in 2020 joined the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) to Head the organisation's Media Academy.

In Paris in July 2022, he spoke at a UNESCO presentation on the importance of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and professional journalism.{{Cite web |last=staff writer |date=4 July 2022 |title=Broadcasters and Educators Working with UNESCO on Media & Information Literacy |url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/broadcasters-and-educators-working-together-with-unesco-on-global-media-information-literacy/ |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=RadioInfo Australia }} Highlighting the difference between professional media and social media he said: "The common threads that make up professional media are: A commitment to the greater good of society, Internal editorial checks and balances, External rules and regulations... This distinguishes responsible professional media from unregulated social media".

In 2022, Ahern joined at ABC as Manager of ABC Radio Sydney.{{Cite web |last=Stamm |first=Wayne |date=2023-01-18 |title=Steve Ahern appointed Manager of ABC Radio Sydney |url=https://radioinfo.com.au/news/steve-ahern-appointed-manager-of-abc-radio-sydney/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=RadioInfo Australia |language=en-US}} He left the ABC in 2024 to rejoin AMT Pty Ltd as the company's CEO to expand the company's trade publications, launch the Asia Podcast Awards{{Cite web |last=Saxon |first=Peter |date=5 July 2024 |title=We've reserved a discounted seat for you at the 2024 RadioDays Asia Conference |url=https://radioinfo.com.au/conference/weve-reserved-a-discounted-seat-for-you-at-the-2024-radiodays-asia-conference |access-date=13 August 2024 |website=Radioinfo}}, work on the Radiodays Asia Conference and continue his international training and consultancy work.

Steve Ahern is married to Serena ({{nee}} Poggi), a teacher-librarian at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview,{{cite web | url=http://www.aslansw.org.au/learning/PL2008/Literature/abstracts.htm | title=Leading Learning through Literacy & Literature – Workshop Abstracts | publisher=Australian School Library Association of New South Wales (ASLA-NSW) | year=2008 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080720062649/http://www.aslansw.org.au/learning/PL2008/Literature/abstracts.htm | archive-date=20 July 2008 | access-date=15 February 2022 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and they have two children.{{cite web | url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/my-holiday%E2%80%A6-and-why-media-reform-necessary | title=My holiday … and why media reform is necessary | author=Ahern, Steve | website=radioinfo | date=29 June 2017 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20180513045942/https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/my-holiday%E2%80%A6-and-why-media-reform-necessary | archive-date=13 May 2018 | access-date=13 February 2022 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web | url=https://www.anmm.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1550&t=welcomeWallBrowse&formMode=search&name=FACCHINELLI | title=Welcome Wall - search/browse | publisher=Australian National Maritime Museum | via=National Library of Australia | archiveurl=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20110604134516/https://www.anmm.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1550&t=welcomeWallBrowse&formMode=search&name=FACCHINELLI | archive-date=4 June 2011 | access-date=13 February 2022 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} One of their children is Daniel Ahern {{abbr|p.k.a.|performer known as}} Bus Vipers, who also worked in radio management at 2SER and then FBi Radio.{{cite web | url = https://www.melbournepressclub.com/article/aap-medianet---2-november-2017 | title = This Week's Media Movements | agency = Australian Associated Press | publisher = Melbourne Press Club (MPC) | date = 2 November 2017 | access-date = 13 February 2022 }}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|steveahern.com.au/}}
• [https://www.radioinfo.com.au Radioinfo] website
• [http://www.AsiaRadioToday.com Asia Radio Today] website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahern, Steve}}

Category:1959 births

Category:Living people

Category:Macquarie University alumni

Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia