Doing well by Labor
“Anyhow, the ABC deserves a decent go because it has done well by the ALP in the last two elections.”
(Paul Keating, 2 November 1992, quoted by Neal Blewett in A cabinet diary, (Wakefield Press, 1999, p 255.)
Doing well by the ALP is a default setting at the ABC. This page – a new Australian Conservative list – will provide examples, past and present, of the ways the ABC gives Kevin and his crew a helping hand.
In this soundbite, dating back to Rudd’s time in Opposition, ABC Melbourne 774 morning presenter Jon Faine reveals just how accommodating the ABC can be.
There’s nothing unusual about political staffers trying to manipulate the media, of course. One way to remove an unwanted item is to offer an “update” interview, the sole purpose of which is to replace the unhelpful message with a better one.
But, that is not what Faine is alluding to here. In this conversation with Barrie Cassidy, Faine, a long-time ABC employee, suggests that a news item unhelpful to Rudd might have been removed from later news bulletins solely at the request of a Rudd staffer. Faine appeared to see nothing unethical””or unusual””about that. Indeed, he seemed to regard it as business as usual at the ABC. Barrie Cassidy made no comment.
- Defending Rudd and attacking Turnbull
- No Rudd gaffe for Insiders
- ABC needed to get its facts in order
- ABC’s free kick for Wayne Swan. Another gift to the Treasurer.
- What did she expect him to say? ABC journalist’s ludicrous gift of a question to the Treasurer.
- The symbiotic relationship between the ABC and the ALP.
- ABC swallows Swan’s feeble excuse.
- O’Brien gives Rudd another easy ride.
- Lateline reporter calls criticism treason.
- “Red Kezza” had little time for Turnbull.
- ABC right on message – the ALP’s message.
- Well done, Fran. Fran Kelly pleads in support of Rudd.
- ABC hails Kevin’s homelessness initiative
