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ABC chair resigns over Australian political interference claims ABC chair resigns over Australian political interference claims
(about 2 hours later)
The chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has resigned following allegations of political interference.The chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has resigned following allegations of political interference.
Justin Milne resigned from the national broadcaster amid reports he had asked for journalists to be fired because their reporting was disliked by the Australian government. Justin Milne resigned from the national broadcaster amid reports he had called for journalists to be fired because their reporting was disliked by the Australian government.
The government has denied pressuring the broadcaster over its staff.The government has denied pressuring the broadcaster over its staff.
ABC's managing director Michelle Guthrie was fired on Monday. His exit comes after managing director Michelle Guthrie was fired on Monday.
Mr Milne said there had been no interference from the government, and he was stepping aside to "provide a release valve" from the public pressure. In departing, Mr Milne denied any government interference, and said he was leaving to "provide a release valve" for the "firestorm" stirred up by the reports.
"Nobody from the government has ever rung me and told me what to do in relation to the ABC," he said."Nobody from the government has ever rung me and told me what to do in relation to the ABC," he said.
'Get rid of her' What was Milne accused of?
The government has announced an inquiry into the allegations of improper intervention by Mr Milne, who is a former business partner of Australia's ex-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. He allegedly told Ms Guthrie to fire two senior journalists whose reports had provoked complaints from the government this year.
He is alleged to have lobbied for the sacking of two senior journalists whose reports were critical of the government. In one leaked email about economics journalist Emma Alberici, he wrote: "They hate her... get rid of her. We need to save the ABC, not Emma."
In one leaked email about a reporter, economics journalist Emma Alberici, he wrote: "They hate her... get rid of her. We need to save the ABC, not Emma." In another reported exchange, he directed the managing director to "shoot" the ABC's political editor, Andrew Probyn.
Australian news outlets reported he had also directed Ms Guthrie to sack the ABC's political editor, saying: "You have to shoot him." These claims and others were leaked to Australia news outlets just a day after Mr Milne, in charge of the ABC board, sacked Ms Guthrie halfway through her five-year term.
The revelations sparked protests from the broadcaster's staff on Wednesday who called for Mr Milne's removal and for the organisation's editorial independence to be protected. Why is this a problem?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed Mr Milne's exit. Like the BBC, the ABC is funded by public money, but has its editorial independence protected by a legislated charter.
"Time for the ABC to resume normal transmission, both independently and without bias," he said on Twitter. Under its policies, the broadcaster has a legal duty to present news in an impartial manner, free from political bias or influence.
In recent years, it has been criticised by the centre-right Liberal National government for allegedly showing bias in some of its stories.
So reports that Mr Milne, a former business partner of ex-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, sought to remove journalists behind those stories, prompted wide outrage.
It led to staff protests across the country on Wednesday, and the government to announce an inquiry into the alleged interventions.
Public faith compromised
Hywel Griffith, BBC News Sydney correspondent
Affectionately known as Aunty by its viewers, the ABC holds an unique place in Australian life.
It no longer has the biggest audiences nor the most high-profile presenters, but it does retain the best trust ratings of any media organisation.
And so the suggestion that it would hire and fire journalists according to who the government favours has caused outrage.
Even though the reporters in question were not sacked, public faith in the corporation was compromised and the chairman had to go.
At a time when its funding is being cut, the confidence of the audience is an even more precious commodity.
The challenge for the ABC now is to find new leaders who can show it remains fiercely independent.
What's been the reaction?
The broadcaster's union, who led staff protests, have welcomed Mr Milne's exit.
However, some have also called for the rest of the board to go. All of the directors, except one elected by the staff, are appointed by the government.
The government has resolutely denied pressuring the broadcaster over its editorial stance.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed Mr Milne's exit's on Thursday, saying it was time for the ABC to "resume normal transmission".