In a recent column, Media Watch Dog writer Gerard Henderson dissects the controversy surrounding ABC Radio Melbourne Drive presenter Charlie Pickering, who initially criticised Grace Tame's anti-Israel stance before quickly backtracking after facing backlash from his audience and possibly ABC management. Henderson also tackles other media issues, including the ABC's anti-AUKUS stance, Malcolm Turnbull's soft interviews, and the appointment of Simon Robinson as ABC news director.
Pickering's Initial Comments and Retreat
On Tuesday, 3 June, Pickering attended a protest outside the ABC's Southbank studio in Melbourne, where he was vox-popped by Rebel News' Avi Yemini. Pickering said: "I think, as a Jewish Australian, there's a complete misunderstanding of a lot of the words that are said and what [the] true meanings of them are. A lot of people are using words and phrases that have meaning well beyond what they think they do. I think you could argue that a lot of people who jump on protest bandwagons are ignorant a lot of the time." This was interpreted as distancing himself from Tame.
However, on Thursday, Pickering opened his show by declaring he was "a big fan of Grace Tame". He claimed he was "ambushed by a known provocateur" and that his comments were misrepresented. Henderson calls this "a cop out" and notes that Pickering's initial comments were mild. Nine's media reporter Calum Jaspan also criticised Pickering, questioning whether his comments breached ABC's public comment policies.
ABC's Anti-AUKUS Bias
Henderson points out that the ABC has been running an anti-AUKUS line, citing interviews with Sam Roggeveen from the Lowy Institute, who suggested the money could be better spent on health and education. Henderson argues that this ignores the need for defence spending and criticises the ABC's lack of diverse viewpoints.
Malcolm Turnbull's Soft Interviews
Former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull continues to criticise his party, but Henderson notes that he is rarely asked tough questions about his own failures, such as the 2016 election loss or the Snowy Hydro 2.0 cost blowout. Henderson questions why Turnbull is given a platform to lecture the Liberal Party.
Simon Robinson and Grace Tame Appointments
Henderson criticises the ABC's appointment of Simon Robinson as news director, noting his repost of an anti-Israel article. He also questions the appointment of Grace Tame to host a podcast on autism, given her controversial statements about the October 7 Hamas attack. Henderson suggests that ABC staff are still running the show despite new management.
Five Paws Award
The Five Paws Award is given to Milton Cockburn for his critique of historian David Day's evidence-free attacks on former NSW Premier Neville Wran. The column also updates the David Day/Anne Henderson scorecard, noting that Day has still not provided evidence for his claims about Robert Menzies.
