Source : THE AGE NEWS
ABC chairman Kim Williams has been scorched by the public broadcaster’s Media Watch for allegedly labelling some regional radio staff “arrogant” and pressuring them to interview comedian Sandy Gutman despite their opposition.
The weekly program, which critiques the local media sector, on Monday alleged that Williams suffered a “grave lapse of judgment” in intervening on behalf of comedian Sandy Gutman, who performs under the name Austen Tayshus.
Kim Williams said he did not believe he had acted “in any way inconsistent with ABC editorial policies”.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
It added that Williams leaned on the head of ABC’s audio division, Ben Latimer, to ensure Gutman was given time on the public broadcaster after he had been repeatedly rejected by the local staff, despite Latimer not having oversight of regional radio at the time.
Gutman, best known for his 1980s comedy song Australiana, is currently touring the country and was interviewed 11 times on different ABC local radio stations, all of which promoted upcoming shows the comedian had booked in the relevant regional markets.
According to Media Watch, Gutman allegedly leveraged a personal relationship with Williams to secure a number of those interviews, with the ABC chairman getting Latimer to overrule local decisions not to run interviews with the comedian on two occasions.
In one email sent by Williams, obtained by Media Watch and broadcast on Monday, Williams was quoted supporting Gutman, who had contacted him, adding, “I am of course essentially on his side. Our people are often arrogant with talent.”
Williams told the program in a statement that Gutman was an “acquaintance” and someone he does not know well, adding he was aware Gutman had alleged he had been denied airtime because he is Jewish. Gutman phoned Williams in August last year, alleging he had been denied interviews because he is Jewish, Media Watch said.
Current ABC Media Watch host Linton Besser.
“In that email you have drawn to my attention, I acknowledge that it is open to interpretation; however, I was referring to what I saw as an offhand manner in dealing with talent. On reflection, that was inappropriate,” Williams told Media Watch in a statement.
“I understand the sensitivity which surrounds such matters and have sympathy with the way that misunderstandings can arise from time to time and where people can take offence.”
Williams added that he gave Gutman no guarantee of airtime and that he did not intervene, nor seek to override his staff’s editorial judgment.
“There was no instruction or suggestion of intervention made. I do not believe that I have acted in any way inconsistent with ABC editorial policies. It is important to keep these matters in proportion and not to amplify it into something it was not.”
ABC managing director Hugh Marks, who is less than two months into the job, backed the Media Watch team, led by Linton Besser and executive producer Mario Christodoulou, for chasing the story.
“The matters raised by Media Watch are important. I have been at the ABC a short time, but I am vigilant to ensure the proper delineation of responsibility between the board and management, and will act appropriately to ensure the best interests of the ABC, its people and audiences as we move forward,” Marks said.
Comedian Austen Tayshus was given 90 minutes of airtime on ABC local radio, according to Media Watch.
Williams affirmed that he understood the difference between his role as chair and that of the managing director and senior management.
Besser, a Walkley-winning reporter, was appointed host of Media Watch last November, replacing Paul Barry after 12 years in the role.
The show’s most recent episode on April 14 was viewed by an average audience of 613,000 across metro and regional television, alongside digital streaming on ABC iview.
The scrutiny of ABC’s chairman represents another challenge for the broadcaster, after Williams’ predecessor, Ita Buttrose’s role in the sacking of Antoinette Lattouf dominated her unlawful termination proceedings in the Federal Court this year.
Since his arrival at the ABC, Williams has taken a significantly more visible approach to being chair than Buttrose, who rarely gave interviews or spoke on matters concerning the functioning of the national broadcaster.
He has given a number of public addresses, speeches, interviews and appearances in 13 months, with a common theme being the justification for improved funding for the broadcaster, arguing that strong media is essential in an age of misinformation, declining trust in the media and threats to democracy.
Earlier this month, Williams told the Melbourne Press Club the ABC was ready to defend itself in any efficiency reviews brought by a Peter Dutton-led government.
As chair, Williams has also been open about the ABC’s areas for improvement, telling the Press Club there were areas where the broadcaster had “lost the plot”, while also underperforming in its service of documentaries. Last year, Williams also criticised the ABC’s online news output, arguing it over-preferred “lifestyle stories” instead of hard news.
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