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ABC chair resigns over Australian political interference claims ABC boss quits over Australian political interference claims
(about 3 hours later)
The chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has resigned following allegations of political interference. Australia's national broadcaster is facing a leadership crisis 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 as chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Thursday, amid allegations he tried to fire journalists who were "hated" by the Australian government.
The government has denied pressuring the broadcaster over its staff. Mr Milne has denied the reports, saying he was leaving to relieve pressure around the public broadcaster.
His exit comes after managing director Michelle Guthrie was fired on Monday. The government has also denied pressuring the broadcaster over staff.
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. Managing director Michelle Guthrie was fired by the ABC board on Monday.
"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. He allegedly told Ms Guthrie to sack two senior journalists whose reports drew complaints from 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 economics journalist Emma Alberici, he allegedly 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. The messages were leaked to Australian news outlets just a day after Mr Milne, in charge of the ABC board, sacked Ms Guthrie halfway through her five-year term.
Mr Milne said on Thursday: "Nobody from the government has ever rung me and told me what to do in relation to the ABC."
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. 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 "inaccurate reporting" and alleged 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 to appease Canberra, prompted wide anger.
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, and the government to announce an inquiry into the interference claims.
Public faith compromisedPublic faith compromised
Hywel Griffith, BBC News Sydney correspondent Hywel Griffith, BBC News, Sydney
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, which led staff protests earlier in the week, 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".Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed Mr Milne's exit on Thursday, saying it was time for the ABC to "resume normal transmission".