SKY News apologises for Mark Latham comments
SKY News apologises unreservedly to Wendy Harmer & Kristina Keneally.
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SKY News has apologised to Wendy Harmer and Kristina Keneally for comments made by Mark Latham.
Yesterday a statement was read by presenter Ashleigh Gillon out during its 6pm news bulletin.
“SKY News acknowledges that it broadcast certain statements by Mark Latham about Wendy Harmer. SKY News acknowledges that these statements falsely imputed that Ms Harmer’s media career over the past four decades has been a failure, and that she has only been able to secure her current employment as a broadcaster with the ABC because she is a female with a disability,” she said.
“SKY News rejects these comments in their entirety and apologises unreservedly to Ms Harmer.”
Thank you @SkyNewsAust for my unreserved apology and also to @KKeneally 1.
— Wendy Harmer (@wendy_harmer) March 30, 2017
As I said from the outset, this has never been about money for me.
I accept the apology offered by @SkyNewsAust
Thanks all. 2.— Wendy Harmer (@wendy_harmer) March 30, 2017
The apology also extended to SKY colleague Kristina Keneally.
“SKY News acknowledges that these statements falsely imputed that Ms Keneally acted corruptly in her former role as premier of NSW. SKY News rejects these comments in their entirety and apologises unreservedly to Ms Keneally,” said Gillon.
On  Wednesday news boss Angelos Frangopoulos (picture) terminated Latham as a recently-hired commentator.
But on social media Latham hinted that he had been encouraged by SKY News management to create controversy on Outsiders.
Sky execs gave Outsiders every encouragement, always urging us on (love ratings), so thanks for everything, up to point of thrown under bus
— Real Mark Latham (@RealMarkLatham) March 29, 2017
6 Responses
Reinstate Mark Latham and the Outsiders This program is very popular with the average person who believes in free speech . I , like many thousands want to see more of 3 Outsiders , Mark ,Ross and Rowan .
I wouldn’t be too sure about thousands. Its ratings are too small to appear in the Top 200 shows for the day. In any case nobody has stopped free speech. It’s a simple case of employer firing employee.
No! it’s a case of stopping people from having an opinion, if they don’t agree with those on the left. .Strangely it seems it’s ok for the lefties to say anything they wish . You only have to listen to the ABC to see that .
Fired for being disrespectful, both ABC and SKY commentators have to offer respectful not defamatory comment. SKY News still has plenty of people with opinions on the right. Free speech is a different matter.
Good on Sky News. Was the right thing to do. Agree that there’s a difference between being provocative and slander or bullying.
I don’t doubt Sky were happy with attention from his big opinions, but there’s a difference between controversial views on an issue and personally attacking people’s character. He morphed more towards the latter in recent times, and I think Sky did the right thing.
I think the Outsiders format is a good one, and its good to have a range of voices including far right views. Doesn’t appeal to me personally, but I hope it doesn’t put Sky continuing their diverse stable.