The ABC experienced political interference, or the prospect of it, to varying degrees, according to a Senate inquiry.
The parliamentary investigation was chaired by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and included members from the Liberal, National and Labor parties.
The inquiry was established in response to a public dispute between former chair Justin Milne and former managing director Michelle Guthrie, with claims of government interference in the ABC’s reporting and the decision to sack Guthrie.
The inquiry report says that while it accepts the board wasn’t pressured by real or perceived political interference in its decision to remove Guthrie, such interference could still be present in the corporation.
The committee found that while the ABC board and acting managing director David Anderson asserted independence is a priority at the ABC, it heard the message is “either not reaching ABC staff or is being treated with little regard in the besieged workplace”.
It also criticised the board’s handling of the sacking, saying it’s “astounded” the board didn’t make further inquiries before and after Guthrie released her dossier which revealed tensions between her and Milne and claims of political interference.
“Throughout the inquiry, ABC board directors emphasised their absolute commitment to the independence of the ABC. However, when presented with allegations against the chair -- by no less than the MD -- the first response was not to prioritise and investigate those allegations but to proceed to deal with another issue which had arisen about the same time.”
The committee also recommended stable funding for the broadcaster to minimise any possibility of political interference, following years of “fluctuation” in funding for the ABC.
“In the committee's view, governments must be able to retain control of budgets but this control does create a risk of political interference in the ABC,” the report states.
“The committee finds that the government's control over ABC funding -- particularly for innovative projects, such as in the area of digital transformation -- featured prominently in Mr Milne's thoughts and actions.
“The committee considers that the Coalition Government has been complicit in the events of 2018 and beyond, by using funding as a lever to exert political influence in the ABC. If funding had been less penurious and more stable, this would have better supported the ABC to carry out its Charter functions and plan for the future.”
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