World News – AU – « I have no intention of » firing ABC Chairman Ita Buttrose, minister says

Paul Fletcher says he has the right to expect a’ serious and substantial ‘response from Buttrose to Christian Porter and Alan Tudge about the Four Corners story

The federal communications minister says he has « no intention » of firing ABC chairman Ita Buttrose, but expects a « serious and substantive » response to concerns about the Four Corners investigation into two government ministers.

Paul Fletcher used an interview with ABC on Sunday to explain that he was within his rights to receive responses from Buttrose about the program, which focused on Christian Porter and Alan Tudge while he was denying off to put pressure on the board for political reasons.

Fletcher was confident with the way Buttrose acted in her role, saying, “She is one of the greatest media figures in Australia and has a challenging and very important job. « .

But while saying the national broadcaster had editorial independence from the government, the minister added that responsibility for what appeared on ABC rests with Buttrose, along with the board and management.

And Fletcher refused when asked directly if he could withdraw that trust or even dismiss her if he was not satisfied with the answer due Monday.

Rushed to give assurances that he would not dismiss the ABC chair, Fletcher said, “I certainly have no intention of dismissing the ABC chair. She’s doing an important job. ”

Two weeks ago, Fletcher wrote to Buttrose – who the government appointed in 2019 – asking a series of questions about the Four Corners program that allegedly targeted improper conduct by two ministers, including whether it was up to the standards of one accurate and impartial journalism.

In the letter Fletcher wrote on Jan.. Posted on December 12th on Twitter, the minister asked: “Why should an objective observer not conclude that the program is demonstrating that the board is not doing its duty under Section 8 of the ABC Act to ensure this? The ABC’s collection and presentation of news and information is correct and impartial in accordance with recognized standards of objective journalism. “

Today I wrote to ABC Chairman Ita Buttrose with questions about the Four Corners program “Inside the Canberra Bubble,” which was due to be launched on Nov.. November 2020. picture. Twitter. com / 7acqFpdAL4

On Sunday, Fletcher refused to publish Buttrose’s response to the public and defended his request for responses.

He said the ABC has more than 1 billion every year. US dollars in public money to carry out his duties and it was « perfectly appropriate » that he, as minister in charge of the ABC, should ask the board and the chairman such questions.

« When I get your response I will examine it carefully and I expect a serious and substantial response from one of the most serious and substantial personalities in the Australian media landscape, » he said.

Fletcher said he disagreed with allegations that his actions appeared to be an attempt to pressure the board over a story that embarrassed his political friends. He said he had expectations about the performance of boards of directors and organizations in his portfolio and was entitled to ask questions.

The ABC was attacked by the government for Inside the Canberra Bubble before it aired in early October.

Four Corners executive producer Sally Neighbor said there was « extreme and relentless » political pressure prior to the screening, and reporter Louise Milligan said the pressure was « put on ABC management by several government officials « . .

Four Corners announced that Malcolm Turnbull had confronted Porter with a young woman in a bar in Canberra in 2017 on allegations of inappropriate behavior, warning him that « the risk of compromise is very real, » but Porter rejected the portrayal of  » categorically refused « interactions in the bar.

Tudge responded to the report of a friendly affair with a then employee in 2017 by saying he regretted his actions « immensely and the harm they have done to my family ». . His statement also said he regretted the damage that staff member Rachelle Miller had suffered.

Miller claims she has been humiliated and belittled for her job and has filed an official complaint about the only street open to ministers’ staff – the Treasury Department.

Australian Broadcasting Company, Ita Buttrose, Paul Fletcher, Media, Minister for Communications, Cybersecurity and the Arts, Four Corners, Christian Porter, Alan Tudge