Without independent evidence, the ABC is right not to adopt for itself terms such as ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’, but equally it is right to report others making such allegations.
The departure of journalist Emma Alberici from the national broadcaster is the latest example of the ABC being unable or unwilling to push back against hostile governments.
David Anderson has more than 30 years’ experience at the ABC, and appears to be well-regarded within the organisation.
AAP/Dan Himbrechts
However, the problem of combining the managing director and editor-in-chief roles remains, and these must be separated to preserve editorial independence.
A journalist prepares for a live cross after it was announced that ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie had been sacked by the board.
AAP/Peter Rae
One of the reasons the managing director failed was that she did not understand the journalism she was overseeing, and that weakness filtered down the ranks.