Or so it seems as the national broadcaster sinks into the Canberra swamp. Via the AFR:
ABC chairman Justin Milne asked former managing director Michelle Guthrie to take action against two ABC journalists, political reporter Andrew Probyn and radio broadcaster Jon Faine, who had upset the government, according to a source familiar with the conversations.
…The revelation is likely to place more pressure on Mr Milne, who has been attacked by the Labor opposition, unions and commentators for allegedly seeking the termination of economics correspondent Emma Alberici for political reasons.
The source said Mr Milne also complained about the political comedy show, Tonightly, which upset conservatives by directing offensive language at some right-wing politicians…
Also at The Guardian:
The ABC chairman, Justin Milne, vehemently opposed moving the Hottest 100 away from Australia Day and tried to convince the ABC board to reverse the Triple J decision, saying “Malcolm [Turnbull] will go ballistic”, Guardian Australia has been told.
Multiple sources have said that the former managing director Michelle Guthrie supported the Triple J decision, which was taken after a year’s consultation, and convinced the board not to bow to pressure from the government.
There was huge pressure on the ABC because the communications minister, Mitch Fifield, had asked the ABC board to reconsider the decision to move the Triple J Hottest 100 from Australia Day because it was “making a political statement” by taking an action that would “help to delegitimise Australia Day”.
ABC staff are on the warpath:
“ABC staff in Melbourne are calling for the chairman, Justin Milne, to stand aside while an independent inquiry takes place.
“The ABC is, and always has been, a fiercely loyal independent news organisation and it is of no concern to our program makers or journalists whether they are hated by any government.
“We are dismayed that the chairman of our own board is exerting political pressure behind closed doors.”
At The Australian the fire is spreading fast:
Former ABC chairman David Hill, who served as ABC chairman for one year before becoming managing director in 1987 — a position he held until 1995 — said Mr Milne should resign.
When asked by ABC news if he believed Mr Milne’s position was tenable, Mr Hill replied: “Sadly I think not.”
“I think he has to consider his position and he has to go,” Mr Hill said “I think the chairman put himself in a totally untenable position.”
I have my problems with the ABC these days but I wouldn’t seek to impose them like some tinpot tyrant.
