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.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Michelle Guthrie
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A Senate inquiry report has found that while the broadcaster’s board was aware of the deteriorating relationship between the chair and managing director, it did not make any further inquiries.
The national broadcaster has had a tumultuous history, targeted by both major parties at various times. No matter who takes office after the 2019 election, the ABC can never rest easy.
Mrdak, who interviewed both Milne and Guthrie, said they had no doubt the government was “very concerned at the issues of opinion and accuracy and editorial standards raised” in the several pieces.
After a dramatic week at the ABC that sees them without a permanent managing director nor a chair, there remain serious questions about government interference and the broadcaster’s independence.
The ABC chairman’s resignation provides some resolution to the crisis, but a discussion is sorely needed about other threats to the broadcaster’s independence.
The ABC Act clearly states the board is duty-bound to ‘maintain the independence and integrity’ of the broadcaster. Milne’s actions appear to have compromised both values.
The ABC affair – which began with the sacking of Guthrie - spun out of control on Wednesday, following the leaking to Fairfax Media of a highly damaging email, showing Milne’s editorial interference.
A former senior manager with the ABC laments the poor choice of Michelle Guthrie as managing director, leaving her - and the organisation - in an invidious position.
ABC boss Michelle Guthrie sacked, but the board won’t say why.
The Conversation37.5 MB (download)
ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie was sacked today, despite being less than halfway through her five-year term. The major question is: why? Today on the podcast, we explore the possibilities.
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.
In a blunt statement, the ABC board has announced the end of Guthrie’s tenure as managing director, declaring it was “not in the best interests” of the organisation for her to continue leading it.
The public broadcaster’s editorial independence must be protected at all costs – from within and without.
A motion to privatise the ABC, no matter how vigorously repudiated by the government, is political poison, and may now reap a political harvest.
New ABC chief Michelle Guthrie has been in the job for a week. We asked a range of experts what she needs to do to improve news and current affairs coverage, boost local content and strengthen digital services.
The ABC’s new chief, who took over last week, has identified improving diversity at the broadcaster as a top priority. This is long overdue - the BBC has already tackled the issue from the top down.
Top contributors
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Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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Director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne
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Adjunct Professor of Journalism, University of Technology Sydney
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Professor of Communication, Deakin University
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Former Honorary Research Associate, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University
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Lecturer in Journalism, University of Technology Sydney
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Senior Lecturer Online Communication and Media, University of Sydney
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Associate professor, Journalism, Monash University
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Co-Director, Centre for Media Transition, University of Technology Sydney
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Co-director Centre for Media Transition, Professor of Journalism Practice, University of Technology Sydney
