Sunday Telegraph censured over Piers Akerman attack on Q&A audience member for ‘merely asking a question’

A column by News Corp’s Piers Akerman attacking a member of the public who asked a question on The ABC’s Q&A program was unfair and caused unnecessary distress, the Australian Press Council has ruled.

The woman who appeared on the current affairs show, Fred Thorpe, had asked panellist Attorney General George Brandis about her disability support pension being reviewed, in contrast to the ease with which politicians can claim expenses.

Thorpe was attacked by Akerman after her Q&A question

Afterwards Akerman, who was also a panelist on the program that night, wrote a column headlined “Sack ABC board and end the warped bias”.