{"id":34396,"date":"2018-10-09T07:14:49","date_gmt":"2018-10-09T11:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=34396"},"modified":"2018-10-09T07:14:49","modified_gmt":"2018-10-09T11:14:49","slug":"the-abc-was-at-war-with-itself-before-michelle-guthrie-was-fired","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/the-abc-was-at-war-with-itself-before-michelle-guthrie-was-fired\/","title":{"rendered":"The ABC “was at war with itself” before Michelle Guthrie was fired"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(Source: The Age<\/a> via Richard Langley and John Figliozzi)<\/p>\n

Michelle Guthrie wanted to make one thing clear.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI\u00a0love<\/em>\u00a0my job,\u201d she said when we met one winter morning at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation\u2019s inner-Sydney head office. Granted, being managing director and editor-in-chief of the ABC at one of the most turbulent times in its history was a big responsibility. But the perks! \u201cHad a conversation the other night with Laura Tingle,\u201d she said, referring to the chief political correspondent for the ABC TV current affairs program,\u00a07.30<\/em>. \u201cI mean, who gets to do that?\u201d Guthrie laughed, and I looked at her closely, wondering for a moment whether she was sending herself up.<\/p>\n

I had asked her how she was coping with the stress. Even then, long before she was sacked by ABC board chairman Justin Milne, who then made his own dramatic exit, it seemed a reasonable question. In the more than two years Guthrie had been running the ABC, the national broadcaster had reeled from crisis to crisis \u2013 its budget slashed, its journalism slammed, its value to the Australian people questioned. But she dismissed any suggestion that she allowed this stuff to get to her, insisting that despite the ride\u2019s bumpiness, she was having fun. She gave another example of an exhilarating encounter: a couple of days earlier, she had been leaving the office to catch a plane to Canberra when she spotted Dylan\u00a0Alcott, champion wheelchair athlete and ABC Radio Triple J presenter. She introduced herself and chatted to Alcott for a few minutes before climbing into her cab. \u201cI get energy from amazing people like Dylan,\u201d she said, adding that she had a spring in her step for the rest of her journey. \u201cI sort of\u00a0skipped<\/em>\u00a0through the airport. It was fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guthrie\u2019s words now seem almost poignant. At the time, her exuberance just struck me as odd. It was as if the small and personable woman beaming across the ABC\u2019s boardroom table was speaking to me from some other plane \u2013 one that was slightly out of kilter with reality. In May, the federal Liberal-National Coalition government had announced a\u00a0three-year indexation freeze on ABC funding<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 in effect an $84 million cut to the broadcaster\u2019s budget. This followed a\u00a0$254 million funding cut imposed in 2014 under the then Coalition prime minister, Tony Abbott<\/a>. More than 1000 ABC jobs had been scrapped over four years, along with many fine programs.<\/p>\n

I knew the mood of the remaining 4000 employees was considerably less upbeat than Guthrie\u2019s.<\/p>\n

[…]Guthrie, 52, had been\u00a0appointed to the $900,000-a-year ABC post in 2015<\/a>, after a stint as a Singapore-based Google executive. A lawyer by training, she had spent 14 years in Rupert Murdoch\u2019s global pay-TV empire \u2013 working for BSkyB in London and for Foxtel in her home town of Sydney before taking over from Rupert\u2019s younger son, James, as the Hong Kong-based chief executive of Asian network, Star TV. Heading the ABC made her a public figure for the first time in her career. People recognised her everywhere, she told me. \u201cI get a lot of, \u2018Thank you for doing your job. You\u2019re doing a great service for Australia.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

She had fans within the ABC, too. \u201cThere are pockets within the organisation who think she is fantastic,\u201d said Sinddy Ealy, secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union\u2019s ABC section. But Ealy was aware of widespread disaffection: \u201cThere is just this really strong feeling that the leadership is not very good.\u201d Her regretful tone was echoed by Norman Swan, presenter of Radio National\u2019s\u00a0Health Report<\/em>\u00a0and a recipient of Australian journalism\u2019s highest honour, the Gold Walkley. \u201cI like Michelle,\u201d Swan said. \u201cShe\u2019s a nice person.\u201d But as managing director? \u201cTo be blunt, I just don\u2019t think she is up to the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ABC board was moving towards the same conclusion. As its members held meetings behind closed doors, past and present ABC staffers talked frankly to me about Guthrie and the corporate culture over which she presided. Few of those interviewed held the managing director solely responsible for the malaise afflicting the national broadcaster, but most agreed on one thing: in the lead-up to her removal, the ABC was an organisation on the verge of a nervous breakdown.[…]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Click here to read the full article at The Age.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Source: The Age via Richard Langley and John Figliozzi) Michelle Guthrie wanted to make one thing clear.\u00a0\u201cI\u00a0love\u00a0my job,\u201d she said when we met one winter morning at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation\u2019s inner-Sydney head office. Granted, being managing director and editor-in-chief of the ABC at one of the most turbulent times in its history was a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[960,3],"tags":[86,2742,5228],"class_list":["post-34396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","tag-abc","tag-australian-broadcasting-corporation","tag-michelle-guthrie"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-8WM","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":34324,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/michelle-guthrie-sacked-as-board-seeks-fresh-leadership-and-focus-on-long-term-interests-of-abc-engagement\/","url_meta":{"origin":34396,"position":0},"title":"Michelle Guthrie sacked as board seeks “fresh leadership” and focus on “long-term interests” of ABC engagement","author":"Thomas","date":"October 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: The Interpreter via Michael Taniwha) Restoring Australia's Pacific media presence by Kevin McQuillan The departure of ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie just two-and-a-half years into her five-year term reflects the board\u2019s decision to seek \"fresh leadership\", according to Chairman Justin Milne.\u00a0Announcing\u00a0Guthrie\u2019s sacking today, Milne said \u201cthe board\u2019s foremost consideration\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/ATS-405-9580kHz-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/ATS-405-9580kHz-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/ATS-405-9580kHz-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24460,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/michelle-guthrie-abc-cut-shortwave-to-operate-within-funding-envelop\/","url_meta":{"origin":34396,"position":1},"title":"Michelle Guthrie: ABC cut shortwave to operate within “funding envelop”","author":"Thomas","date":"March 1, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: The Guardian via Phil Brennan) The ABC\u2019s managing director, Michelle Guthrie, has told Senate estimates she believes it is not her job to lobby government for more funding for the broadcaster but to work within the budget she is given. Under questioning at a fiery Senate estimates committee, Guthrie\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Australia-Globe.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Australia-Globe.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Australia-Globe.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Australia-Globe.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19813,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/new-managing-director-of-abc-signals-a-return-to-international-broadcasting\/","url_meta":{"origin":34396,"position":2},"title":"New Managing Director of ABC signals a return to international broadcasting","author":"Thomas","date":"June 29, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0Phil Brennan, who writes: The following piece regarding Radio Australia caught my eye last week. It was authored by Hamish McDonald and appeared in the 18 June 2016 edition of the Saturday Paper. [McDonald] reports on a variety of foreign policy matters from an Australian\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Radio-Australia-Banner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Radio-Australia-Banner.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":37088,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/abc-has-appointed-david-anderson-as-managing-director\/","url_meta":{"origin":34396,"position":3},"title":"ABC has appointed David Anderson as managing director","author":"Thomas","date":"May 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: The Guardian via Michael Bird) David Anderson, a 30-year veteran at the public broadcaster, has been appointed ABC managing director by the chair, Ita Buttrose, replacing\u00a0the sacked Michelle Guthrie. \u201cMr Anderson is an exceptional media professional with strong content, digital and strategic experience,\u201d Buttrose said. \u201cThe ABC Board resolved\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/ABC-Australia-Melbourne-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/ABC-Australia-Melbourne-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/ABC-Australia-Melbourne-1024x768.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23685,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/letter-from-australian-leader-of-the-opposition-to-the-prime-minister-regarding-nt-shortwave-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":34396,"position":4},"title":"Letter from Australian Leader of the Opposition to the Prime Minister regarding NT shortwave service","author":"Thomas","date":"January 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, \u00a0Phil Brennan, who shares the following letter sent to The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister, by Bill Shorten MP, Leader of the Opposition: The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP Prime Minister Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Prime Minister I write in relation to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23506,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/ross-knows-firsthand-the-importance-of-abcradio-australia-shortwave\/","url_meta":{"origin":34396,"position":5},"title":"Ross knows firsthand the importance of ABC\/Radio Australia shortwave","author":"Thomas","date":"January 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday, we posted a\u00a0news item\u00a0regarding the importance of the ABC's shortwave service to those working and living in the Australian Outback.\u00a0It appears\u00a0the ABC has no intention of reversing the decision in any meaningful way. A follow-up piece from The Guardian: The ABC has remained steadfast in its decision to scrap\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34396"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34396\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}