In the Philippines, where three radio presenters have been murdered just this year, it is probably safer to be a crocodile wrestler or a base jumper. Honduras is not much better. 16 journalists, many of them working in radio, have been killed since 2009. Even the USA is a less than healthy place for announcers with 17 coming to grief through foul play since 1978. But while we can’t recall an on-air presenter being ‘rubbed out’ in Australia, the threat is certainly there, especially for those expressing strong opinions over the airwaves.

When asked at the recent CRA Radio Conference whether he took emailed and phone threats seriously, MTR’s Steve Price said, “I took the guy who got arrested outside my house with three automatic weapons in his boot pretty seriously.” Triple M’s Spoonman recalled a crowd of about 40 people, waiting for him with baseball bats outside the studio after he had made some less than flattering remarks about the adherents to a particular religion. Luckily for him, he was alerted by security and was able to leave by another entrance. The crowd eventually dispersed at around 3 am. Earlier this year, 2GB’s Ray Hadley became emotional as he left court having won a case against a stalker.

With email and social networking, it’s easier than ever for the unhinged to make threats against public figures against whom they hold a grudge.

Have you ever felt intimidated or felt in fear of your life? What has been the worst experience for you?