ABC and Political Interference

[ronrat]

the ABC run the overseas channel in Asia-pacific. Footy aside and bananas (my girlfriend has a 3 year niece who watches but does not speak English) they changed direction. All we seem to get is rehashed news and Stan Grant. Gone are the drams etc providef by the other networks. Losing Home and Away who cares but it is the other shows I miss. It all happened in the last 5 monts and if Guthrie is in charge her demise is well deserved. Abesides footy all I watch now is Q and A and the odd gardening show. Cokking shows that are not educational are for arseholes.

[K]

'The missus': language exacerbated ABC tensions

https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/the-missus-language-exacerbated-abc-tensions-20180926-p5067w.html

'Mr Milne ... is alleged to have referred to Ms Guthrie as �the missus� in front of staff. Fairfax Media has spoken to a media executive who claims Mr Milne also referred to women as �chicks� and �babes�.
...

However, suggestions Mr Milne�s language could be used to form part of any wrongful dismissal case were dismissed by legal experts.

�I think it would probably a stretch to say [the language could be] part of a unfair dismissal claim,� said a senior legal source. �The nature of an unfair dismissal claim is to prove they had no grounds or they treated her unfairly by changing her duties, for example.� '

[K]

ABC chairman Justin Milne's tangled corporate web

https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/abc-chairman-justin-milne-s-tangled-corporate-web-20180926-p5061t.html

"Ms Alberici said Mr Milne should never have been part of any deliberations about her controversial stories on tax � which were subject to rewrites and sparked complaints from the government � because he was the chairman of accounting software firm MYOB, which she had highlighted.
...

Thomas Clarke, a professor of management at the UTS Business School, who at the time of the controversy over the articles publicly criticised the government's then plans for a corporate tax cut, said Mr Milne should have recused himself from any decisions over the article.

"It would be very unusual for a chair to take an initiative like this himself or even to become involved in it in any way," he said."

[watt price tully]

The Chairman of the ABC otherwise known as: Milne, idiot as labelled by Stui�s love interest Terry McCrann, dead man walking and Mr Untenable has resigned. However, given his actions in resigning were a given, the question of Political interference by the Turnbull government and ? Morrison & the Mad Misogynist Monk needs examination. A senate investigation is required. Mitch Fyfield�s role should be put under the microscope.

[watt price tully]

[K]

[K]

ABC chairman Justin Milne resigns

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/abc-board-tells-chairman-justin-milne-to-step-aside-20180927-p506bj.html

"ABC directors met on Thursday and decided Mr Milne should stand aside while a government investigation took place, which prompted him to resign.

Sources at the ABC said employees had made it clear to board members on Thursday that ABC staff were so angry they were prepared to walk off the job in protest if Mr Milne did not resign."

[K]

ABC board members cling to their positions amid fallout from political interference affair

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/abc-board-members-cling-to-their-positions-amid-fallout-from-political-interference-affair-20180927-p506ie.html

"The entire ABC board could now also be forced out as angry staff, former directors and a chorus of federal MPs demand answers over this week�s unprecedented turmoil.
...

While the broadcaster and government had hoped Mr Milne�s departure would end the affair, attention has now turned to the seven-member ABC board, which was made aware of the former chairman�s demands to sack chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici and political editor Andrew Probyn but appeared to do nothing. Board members are required under legislation to protect the independence of the ABC."

[watt price tully]

[Culprit]

All the current board are friends and were recommended by Mitch Fiffield. LNP stooges who clearly ignore the law and Constitution. Milne and Guthrie emails need to be released along with the Boards communication. It's all coming back to bite them on the ass and Guthrie will sue and win so even more costs to the tax payer.

[K]

'Dear directors': explosive dossier reveals bitter war between Michelle Guthrie and ABC board

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/dear-directors-explosive-dossier-reveals-bitter-war-between-michelle-guthrie-and-abc-board-20180928-p506p7.html

'Former ABC boss Michelle Guthrie warned the public broadcaster's board that firing her would be retribution for raising explosive allegations of misconduct and political interference by chairman Justin Milne.
...

Ms Guthrie alleged Mr Milne told her she should fire chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici at least four times, in exchanges on WhatsApp, phone, email and in person.
...

However, other people close to the process said Ms Guthrie was offered the opportunity to make a formal complaint about Mr Milne's conduct but did not take it up.
...

The board has hired public relations firm FTI Consulting to help it with "crisis management".'

[K]

Angry ABC staff weigh up 'sacking' their own board representative

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/angry-abc-staff-weigh-up-sacking-their-own-board-representative-20180929-p506to.html

"Sacking board members is difficult under the legislation that governs the ABC. However some journalists have considered holding a stop-work meeting to move a no-confidence motion in Connors. She would not automatically lose her position if the motion passed, but the message would be devastating and Connors would have to consider her future.
...

Staff are also weighing up passing a no-confidence motion in the full board, which would avoid singling out just one director.

In a sign ABC staff expect the board will become casualties of the affair, union representatives have started referring to directors as the "interim board".
...

The ABC board usually meets six times a year and each member is paid $56,380."



That's $9k+ per meeting. Not bad. Do they have to do anything outside meetings?

[K]

Amanda Vanstone:

"In more than 20 years in politics I had occasion to complain to the ABC a couple of times. I can't say they were great experiences. I nearly sued them a few years ago, but knowing they have deep pockets (yours and mine) I decided to let it go. In that sense, I didn't do the right thing. I complained recently and regard the response as risible rubbish.
...

Frankly, getting the ABC to admit error is like getting Tony Abbott to admit his errors. It might not sit well with some ABC staff to realise that they have a few things in common with Tony, but they do. They too are never wrong and they too think it's all about them."


https://www.theage.com.au/national/abc-crisis-independence-doesn-t-mean-the-right-to-be-wrong-or-biased-20180927-p506dx.html


Nearly sued them about what?

[K]

Parliament to consider sweeping changes to the way ABC board members are picked

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/parliament-to-consider-sweeping-changes-to-the-way-abc-board-members-are-picked-20180930-p506xx.html

"Recent government picks include Minerals Council of Australia chairwoman Vanessa Guthrie, South Australian businesswoman Donny Walford, and lawyer Joseph Gersh, who is close to former treasurer Peter Costello. The panel also last year recommended Gilbert + Tobin founder Danny Gilbert for the $160,000-a-year chairman's role, but former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull appointed Mr Milne, who was a friend and former business colleague."

[stui magpie]