WIN news presenter Kerryn Johnston was embarrassed by a faux pas during a late-night news bulletin that was broadcast in the ACT on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The seasoned anchor warned viewers she was sounding a little merrier than usual.
"Good evening. Tonight I’m going to sound like a drunk," she said.
After a cheeky smile, Johnston referred to her notes and requested a new camera angle during what she thought was a technical rehearsal.
On Wednesday night, this technical rehearsal for the live 6.30pm bulletin was inadvertently put to air at midnight. A technical rehearsal before a live bulletin is done to ensure audio and lighting levels are correct.Johnston is the new WIN Canberranews reader. When the midnight replay of the live 6.30pm bulletin was put to air, the recording was cued at the wrong start point.
In a statement, WIN said Johnston was embarrassed by what occurred and that she had stumbled over her words in the technical rehearsal and said a throwaway line in self-deprecation.
The WIN Network’s director of news Stewart Richmond said Johnston’s high standards made it even more difficult for her.
"This is a newsreader who sets a very high standard for herself. To have it go to air when it was not intended to, has been more than embarrassing for her.
"Kerryn has been presenting news for over two decades and has never put a foot wrong.I’m sure our viewers will understand.’’
It is the first major glitch to occur since Johnston and co-host Amy Duggan, a former Canberran, began presenting the nightly ACT bulletin from WIN’s Wollongong studio on July 1.
Johnston and Duggan replaced popular Canberra-based hosts Danielle Post and Greg Thomson, who both announced their resignations before management downsized WIN’s Canberra operations on June26.
The changes took place after a rigorous review of operations, however at the time WIN Network NSW/ACT general manager Andy Vautier said the quality of the Canberra bulletin would not be affected.
"This will not affect the quality, quantity or content of the Canberra bulletin. The newsgathering process will remain unchanged," he said.
A headline on an earlier version of this report incorrectly suggested that newsreader Kerryn Johnston was under the influence. Fairfax Media apologises for the error.
