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| ABC chair resigns over Australian political interference claims | ABC chair resigns over Australian political interference claims |
| (35 minutes 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 called 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. |
| His exit comes after managing director Michelle Guthrie was fired on Monday. | His exit comes after managing director Michelle Guthrie was fired on Monday. |
| 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. | 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. |
| What was Milne accused of? | What was Milne accused of? |
| He allegedly told Ms Guthrie to sack two senior journalists whose reports had provoked complaints from the government this year. | |
| 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 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. | In another reported exchange, he directed the managing director to "shoot" the ABC's political editor, Andrew Probyn. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Why is this a problem? | Why is this a problem? |
| Like the BBC, the ABC is funded by public money, but has its editorial independence protected by a legislated charter. | Like the BBC, the ABC is funded by public money, but has its editorial independence protected by a legislated charter. |
| Under its policies, the broadcaster has a legal duty to present news in an impartial manner, free from political bias or influence. | 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. | 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. | 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. | It led to staff protests across the country on Wednesday, and the government to announce an inquiry into the alleged interventions. |
| Public faith compromised | Public faith compromised |
| Hywel Griffith, BBC News Sydney correspondent | Hywel Griffith, BBC News Sydney correspondent |
| Affectionately known as Aunty by its viewers, the ABC holds an unique place in Australian life. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The challenge for the ABC now is to find new leaders who can show it remains fiercely independent. |
| What's been the reaction? | What's been the reaction? |
| The broadcaster's union, who led staff protests, have welcomed Mr Milne's exit. | 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. | 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. | The government has resolutely denied pressuring the broadcaster over its editorial stance. |
| Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed Mr Milne's exit on Thursday, saying it was time for the ABC to "resume normal transmission". |