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ABC President Justin Milne resigned after reports told him to fire journalists because the government did not like their articles. "Data-reactid =" 15 ">
ABC President Justin Milne resigned after reports told him to fire journalists because the government did not like their articles.
The ABC Board of Directors met Thursday morning without Mr. Milne, after which the board asked him to withdraw.
The council met again at noon to select an acting president.
Michelle Guthrie (right), former executive director of ABC, and Justin Milne, president of ABC, at ABC's annual public meeting in February. Source: AAP / File
The government did not like the reports of seasoned journalists
The communications department is investigating reports that Milne asked former director Michelle Guthrie to dismiss senior journalists Emma Alberici and Andrew Probyn because the government did not like their stories.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the allegations are "very worrisome" but will wait until an investigation is completed before making any decisions.
"These are very serious allegations that I have to say. And at first glance, this is very worrying, "he told reporters on the Sunshine Coast Thursday.
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said he had never tried to get anyone fired from the CBA and was unaware of any other government member trying to do it either.
He put pressure on Mr. Milne to find out if he should resign.
"It is up to every senior official to continually assess whether he retains the ability to effectively perform the duties of his office," Senator Fifield told reporters.
The e-mail channel reveals requests to journalists from the fire
<p class = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "An email showed that Mr. Milne asked Ms. Guthrie – who was herself fired on Monday – dismiss Ms Alberici in May. "Data-reactid =" 46 "> An email showed that Mr. Milne had asked Ms. Guthrie – who had been fired on Monday – to fire Ms. Alberici in May.
"They (the government) hate it," he wrote in an email addressed to Ms. Guthrie by Fairfax Media.
Mr. Milne also allegedly ordered Ms. Guthrie to dismiss Mr. Probyn, saying "just shoot him" because Mr. Turnbull hated the journalist.
Mr. Milne did not respond directly to requests, while Mr. Turnbull refused to request the removal of some journalists.
Former director Michelle Guthrie was fired Monday. Source: AAP
"It's not right, in the end I never called for a dismissal," the former prime minister told reporters in New York.
"My concern has been about the accuracy and impartiality of the reports."
Calls for the complete overhaul of the ABC table
Prior to the announcement of the resignation, Labor Communications spokesperson Michelle Rowland said Milne should resign.
"The job does not believe that its position is tenable. We do not trust him, "she told reporters.
Green Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called for a complete review of ABC's board of directors to give the broadcaster a "fresh start".
Senator Fifield has ordered his departmental secretary, Mike Mrdak, to investigate the matter and hopes that a report will be provided in the coming days.
ABC leaders will appear before a Senate forecast committee in October.
The television station unanimously voted Wednesday to have Milne retire during the departmental investigation, but the council expressed confidence in him to continue his work.
