ABC staff in crisis talks over ‘disturbing’ allegations against chairman, by Suzan Delibasic.
ABC staff have demanded an independent investigation into “disturbing” allegations chairman Justin Milne urged ousted managing director Michelle Guthrie to “get rid of” a high-profile journalist disliked by the Coalition government.
Hundreds of staff met at the ABC’s head office in Sydney from 1pm and agreed unanimously to call for Mr Milne to step down while an investigation is held.
“It’s very rare for ABC journalists to call an open staff meeting during their lunch breaks at very short notice,” MEAA spokesman Mark Phillips told The New Daily.
“Staff are very concerned by the disturbing reports of their chairman’s email to Michelle Guthrie urging her to sack a staff member.”
Allan Ashbolt, the Marxist who led the left’s march through the ABC, would be delighted that the staff are in control of the ABC and that the ABC is in a dominant and privileged position in Australian politics.
ABC staff in Brisbane demanded Mr Milne “immediately resign” if allegations of political interference were true.
Fairfax Media reported earlier on Wednesday that Mr Milne emailed Ms Guthrie, urging the sacking of chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici because she was disliked by the Coalition government.
Former ABC chair and managing director David Hill [who was an unsuccessful political candidate representing Labor in 1998] said Mr Milne “has to go”, saying he had “never heard anything like” the “deeply disturbing” allegations against the current chairman.
So it’s ok for the ABC to interfere constantly in Australian politics, framing issues and determining who gets seen saying what. But according to the ABC, it’s not ok for the politicians to interfere with the ABC, oh no.
Also Australian politicians must pay the ABC, out of tax revenue.
It is obvious who is in charge here. They say you know who your boss is by what you’re allowed to say, and it is perfectly clear that the ABC is in charge of politics and not the other way around.
Who elects the ABC?
UPDATE: Justin Milne resigns as ABC chairman amid growing fallout over Michelle Guthrie’s sacking. Allan Ashbolt cheers.
hat-tip Scott of the Pacific
