jurnalist and business

MARY Kostakidis is suing SBS for breach of contract after walking away from a distinguished 20-year career reading the national bulletin at the public broadcaster. Bitter parting: Mary Kostakidis outside her apartment in Sydney's Dawes Point yesterday The woman who has been called the "heart of SBS" left the network on August 10 after being humiliated during World News Australia, which she has co-hosted with Stan Grant since it was relaunched as an hour-long bulletin in January. Newsroom sources told The Australian that Kostakidis, 53, was forced to read a script she did not approve of because it trivialised the elderly by referring to them as "dad's army". SBS has undergone a dramatic change in culture since it started running commercials during programs this year and its aggressive marketing push is focused on attracting a younger audience. But the new hour-long bulletin is 38,000 viewers down on its average audience of 233,208 last year. Grant and Kostakidis have not established a rapport, either on air or off, since the former Seven host returned to Australia from China where he was a presenter on CNN. Sources say Grant has largely ignored the veteran newsreader, and relations have soured. "Clearly the first show was Stan doing everything and Mary reading the autocue," an SBS journalist said last night. "They tried to even it up, but it has been a constant battle all year." Kostakidis's three-year contract, which she signed in February, stipulated that she have some editorial control over the bulletin and the appointment of senior news staff, and that she was the primary presenter of the double-header. However, under the management of former NZTV executive Shaun Brown -- and his news and current affairs director, Paul Cutler -- Kostakidis has been frozen out. Grant, who is an old friend of Cutler, has been given a more substantial role than Kostakidis, conducting many interviews and reading major stories. "Stan is the anointed one," one source said. "But they need Mary to stay for the credibility she brings and the audience sees her as the face of the news." Friends of Kostakidis say she has been unhappy for the past six months and took a long break in April for personal reasons. She has also buried both parents in the past year. Her supporters inside SBS say she has led the fight against the commercialisation and dumbing-down of the network and this has led to an irrevocable breakdown in her relationship with management. Last night, Kostakidis refused to discuss the case with The Australian but it is understood she has briefed prominent QC Julian Burnside to handle her case against SBS. The newsreader will argue that her contract stated she was the primary presenter and that the bulletin should have been built around her. The Australian understands SBS management has also threatened to sue Kostakidis for loss of revenue if she did not return to work. Publicly, SBS is denying Kostakidis has quit and says she is on sick leave. "SBS management is aware of media speculation about Mary Kostakidis leaving SBS," an SBS statement said last night. "Mary has informed SBS that she is unwell and has presented a doctor's certificate confirming this. Mary has requested sick leave, which has been granted. Given the speculation, SBS management is expecting to meet with Mary as soon as appropriate." Kostakidis has knocked back several offers from commercial broadcasters and the ABC over the years, citing her loyalty to SBS. The former director of news and current affairs at the ABC, Max Uechtritz, confirmed last night that he had offered Kostakidis the ABC 7pm Sydney bulletin when Richard Morecroft retired in 1998.