Speculation over Four Corners episode

Media reports claim ABC has pulled an upcoming episode of Four Corners which suggests a link between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and a QAnon figure.

The Sydney Morning Herald claimed the episode was pulled from next Monday following weeks of delays and speculated around editorial processes.

Next week’s Four Corners episode is yet to be publicly confirmed, but this year ABC has seen some episodes announced as late as 2.5 hours before broadcast.

“All ABC content is subject to the same rigorous editorial decision making processes before being published.

“The decision to publish is only made once all requirements, including editorial and legal requirements, have been met and it is appropriate to do so.”

The news comes at a tense time between the broadcaster and government, following mediation with Industry Minister Christian Porter, with the latter dropping defamation action over ABC reporting a historical rape allegation.

ABC board member Joseph Gersh today defended Chair Ita Buttrose after Liberal powerbroker Michael Kroger who told SKY News she should resign her position.

“Ita has been a terrible failure. And I know there are many people in the Coalition, including people in the cabinet who regret her appointment,” Kroger said.

Gersh said Kroger was “simply out of line” for attacking the media veteran who had decades of experience and service.

Asked by Virginia Trioli whether the board regretted the broadcaster’s coverage of Porter, Gersh said the board was by definition at arm’s length from editorial and it was not his call.

“The ABC has to be frank and fearless in what it does in holding those in power to account and has to do so consistently within its charter and within its editorial policies, and the board can’t interfere,” Gersh said.

Updated: SMH has now published an excerpt from a letter from MD David Anderson to staff.

“On Wednesday I was provided with a link to a ‘rough cut’ of a Four Corners story about the influence of QAnon conspiracy theories in Australian domestic politics which had been endorsed by News management,” he wrote.

“Any suggestion that I ‘pulled’ or ‘blocked’ the program is simply not true. I reviewed the material and made an editorial decision it was not yet ready for broadcast, as any responsible Editor-in-Chief would.”

PM Scott Morrison today said, “I find it deeply offensive that there would be any suggestion that I would have any involvement or support for such a dangerous organisation. I clearly do not. It is also disappointing that Four Corners would seek to cast this aspersion, not just against me but by members of my own family. I just think that is really poor form.”

Additional source: The Guardian