Dave Sharma says ABC focus on fake HIV email troubling, by Lilly Vitorovich.

Wentworth candidate Dave Sharma has questioned the ABC’s decision to run extensive coverage about a fake email claiming independent candidate Kerryn Phelps had pulled out of the by-election because she has HIV. …

The ABC coverage, which was claimed to be an exclusive, portrayed Dr Phelps as a victim ahead of Saturday’s Wentworth by-election, and insinuated it was coming from the Liberals. The reporting also failed to mention that the email also smeared Mr Sharma, Mr Kenny said. …

“And I just wonder why the ABC didn’t make the same decision other news outlets did and decide not give these sorts of views a platform and a profile because there’s any number of cranks out there writing any number of nasty things about people at any given time, certainly during the course of an election, and we shouldn’t be encouraging that, we certainly shouldn’t be amplifying those sorts of hateful and spiteful voices,” Mr Sharma said.

An obvious smear by the ABC. Oh look, it helped the left in a vital by-election. Whoops! Damage done and can’t be undone, and it’s all deniable. I’m wearing my shocked face again.