I was utterly mystified about this. Evidently news is subject to more stringent fairness tests or some shit like that.
The ABC is now fuming at Abbott. I mean really really fuming. After all, the gov, let alone the prime minister, does not dictate how the ABC runs itself. It's a direct and major attack on the ABC's independence. It isn't a mouthpiece of the Abbott gov, or any other gov of the day.
"This is unwarranted interference in the ABC," a senior ABC source said. "Our message is basically, 'get f----ed'. There is a strong view that this is the most direct interference from government into the ABC in memory."Looks to me like the ABC has finally grown some balls over this issue. Abbott has over reached again, going about ten bridges too far as usual, and now the ABC is starting to dig in.
Former ABC managing director David Hill told Fairfax Media: "This is not compatible with the ABC's independence. The government doesn't decide how the ABC runs its programming."
"The ABC would be crazy to countenance having the Prime Minister decide how it runs its affairs. The board has to disregard it."
Mr Hill, who ran the broadcaster from 1987 to 1995, criticised the ABC for issuing a "kneejerk" apology for Mallah's appearance on Q&A the day after the controversial broadcast.
"It was most unwise to be so hasty in issuing an apology before subjecting Q&A to a reasonable review," he said.
Former ABC staff-elected director Quentin Dempster, now a journalist at Fairfax Media, said: "This looks like coercive pressure on the ABC. It is an issue for the ABC's independence if the board is seen to be buckling to the PM.
"Q&A has been a success in viewer engagement and the clash of ideas in this country and I urge the board not to put it at risk." more
Not good for the Abbott gov at all. People love the ABC. What's more Abbott's lost any political gain he may have gotten out of Shorten appearing at Abbott's royal commission union witch hunt.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment