ABC boss denies ‘gagging’ former tech editor Nick Ross over his NBN coverage
Outgoing managing director of the ABC, Mark Scott, has defended the public broadcaster’s handling of its NBN coverage in the wake of accusations from former technology editor, Nick Ross.
Scott: the ABC did not seek to gag Nick Ross.
In his final appearance at the Senate Estimates committee Scott faced questions about claims made by Ross, who claimed he had been “gagged” on the the NBN during his six year stint with the public broadcaster, after he left the last month.
“I want to make it clear that at no time has the ABC sought to shape editorial coverage in any attempt to gain favour with politicians or political parties,” Scott told the Estimates inquiry.
Scott created the problem when he promoted opinion in the ABC reporters’ work on the web. He has no leg to stand on so he carries on about the number of words as if that is any criteria in a medium of unlimited inventory.
Scotts real problem with SBS is that they do a better job. If it was a choice I’d shift budget to SBS.
The last few years there has been a steady decline in the quality of ABC News. It’s not just the NBN that was gagged, the TPP has had minimal coverage, with nothing in the lead up to the signing last week.
It’s hard to not think this is a top down push to turn the ABC in to a government propaganda mouth piece.
ABC News 24 senior editors should take a serious look at a deteriorating News24 which seems plagued with problems. This morning (11am) visual symbols pointed to falls in the ASX while the newsreader was talking about its rises! Give me SBS any day.
I think Scott is wrong when he says “The ABC boss rejected suggestions that the matter had hurt public confidence”.
So far Scott has offered no evidence to support his own opinion while Ross has offered considerable evidence supporting the assertion he was stifled in trying to do his job.