I've long argued the ABC's main shortcoming is its lack of adequate executive supervision and control.
The ABC Staff Collective has been allowed to run riot - with an abject absence of editorial direction from the top.
There are positive signs that may be changing.
A Four Corners episode about an alleged association between Scott Morrison and a supporter of the QAnon conspiracy theory has been delayed by ABC managing director David Anderson on the grounds it failed to meet “editorial and legal requirements”.
Louise Milligan. Picture: David GeraghtyThe Four Corners story by reporter Louise Milligan was slated to air next Monday. But Mr Anderson refused to approve the program after it was “upwardly referred” to him by news director Gaven Morris, according to a report in Nine newspapers on Thursday.
The timing of Mr Anderson’s decision is noteworthy — he is due to appear before Senate Estimates next Monday to face further questions about the defamation case brought by Industry Minister Christian Porter against the ABC.
The defamation case, which dealt with the ABC’s publication of historical rape allegations against Mr Porter, is expected to be discontinued after the parties agreed to terms on Monday.
But as The Australian has reported, tensions between Mr Porter and the ABC were further inflamed whenMilligan and Four Corners executive producer Sally Neighbour posted comments about the legal matter on Twitterbefore the judge presiding over the case had considered consent orders.
The Australian reported that Mr Anderson subsequently approached Mr Porter on Monday afternoon to express his regret over the ill-timed social media activity of the two senior journalists.
