Malcolm Turnbull named on next Q&A panel as ABC publishes inquiry terms of reference
The ABC has announced Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull as a panelist on next Monday’s Q&A despite an ongoing ban on government ministers appearing on the show until the outcome of a review has been published.
Today the public broadcaster issued the terms of reference for the internal inquiry into political balance on the show, which is to be run by television journalist Ray Martin and former SBS managing director Shaun Brown.
The two reviewers will look at six questions covering: discussion topics on the political panel show; panel composition; moderation of the panel by host Tony Jones; diversity of topics and perspectives; role of the audience and finally the impact of the featured Twitter stream on the program.
The review was triggered after a media outcry about the decision to allow terror suspect Zaky Mallah to ask a question of the panel last month.
This is the ABC attempting to wedge the PM by “naming” Turnbull as a guest without his consent, in the hope of a conflict, to deflect attention away from Shorten in the Royal Commission.
Ironic, given the ABC’s faux assurances that it is a neutral observer of politics, not an activist within politics.
It should form a part of the enquiry.
Tin-foil hat time for Mike. Hey buddy, I’d direct you to Malcolm’s own statement:
“A spokesman for the Minister today refused to be drawn on whether he would appear, directing Mumbrella to comments made by Turnbull yesterday, where he left the door open to flouting a ban by the Prime Minister on ministers being part of the panel while the internal inquiry is ongoing.”
I’d say that’s a pretty long bow to draw, Mike. Might want to take those blinders off, not everything is a conspiracy of the left or the Labor party.
No Mike, Trunbull has agreed to go on Q&A. So it is only reasonable for the ABC to promote him as one of the guests. It would be silly to do other wise. That is not the ABC being an activist, just an unbiased media organisation getting on with the job in the same fashion as it has been doing for years.
It would be good to see Malcolm making his own captains calls
Hey Mike you seem to have inside knowledge of the ABC’s plan to deflect interest away from Bill Shorten ? Any evidence or is this your “faux assurance” that this is the ABC’s agenda? Did you miss Leigh Sales’ interview last night with Greg Combet at the RC as well as an interview with Gary Gray in studio? Sales also said the program invited comment from the LNP but no one was available. Now that is evidence of reporting the big news story of the day in other words – doing their job.
Oh dear – poor old “sub-editor” (never quite made it to Editor) hasn’t got the answers, so resorts to insults. A bit sad and pitiful.
Here’s the thing: the ABC is functioning as a commercial broadcaster. Its revenues are founded on its claim to ratings and (confected) ‘popularity’, which is as mythical as its impartiality.
The ABC is competing for audiences with the businesses that fund it, which is both unethical and untenable.
Q&A’s “product” is its guest talent, in the case of Turnbull, who’s also paid by taxpayers, including commercial broadcasters.
That scenario is the ABC double-dipping, ripping off the taxpayers twice.
The time has now come to wind-up the ABC – a product of a bygone era whose relevance is non existent. The only alternative is to make it a subscription service – every taxpayer asked to pay $100 a year, voluntarily – then we’ll see how “popular’ it actually is.
Interesting thoughts Mike. But a very big stretch of reality. Yes, the ABC is government funded but so are many other things in Australia. However the ABC is not operating commercially and the only myth associated with it is the one related to bias. That little fact has been proved time and time again.
Lefties hate anyone who disagrees with them but they LOVE the ABC. Enough said, really.
No Anonymous, the Lefties hate anyone getting their facts wrong. It is just that simple.
I’m guessing Mike must be talking about the US’ ABC – because his ramblings bear no resemblance to Australia.