The ABC’s Director of News, Analysis & Investigations, Gaven Morris this week spoke with Peter Fray on 2SER’s Fourth Estate program.
 
He discussed the ABC’s independence, the future of journalism and how the national broadcaster has come through last year’s controversies over the former Chairman’s alleged political interference.
 
 
 
On Justin Milne
 

ABC staff in the national broadcaster's Sydney headquarters have been warned to beware of people tailgating them through security, after an incident where an intruder was found in the newsroom.
 

When staff returned to work after a fire alarm on Monday morning, journalists found an unidentified man sitting in the newsroom.

Other employees reported seeing the young man in the staff toilets before the alarm was set off.

When questioned by one of the newsroom staff, the stranger admitted that he had sneaked in because he was looking for a job.

The Shadow Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, says Labor has committed to reversing the Liberals’ $83.7 million cut to the ABC, as well as guaranteeing stable funding over the next budget cycle.

Labor says a question mark continues to hang over the Enhanced Newsgathering Program funding for the ABC which was introduced by Labor in 2013, then cut back by the Liberals.

Funding runs out in only a few months and the Minister has not confirmed whether it will be continued.
 

Comment from Peter Saxon

David Anderson is this afternoon appearing before the Senate, Environment and Communications References Committee into allegations of political interference in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The Committee has also grilled other ABC staff regarding interference from former Chairman Justin Milne.

Cath Dwyer, the Manager of RN, Radio and Radio Australia has told the digital radio workshop at DBS Kuala Lumpur that Australia’s national broadcaster is committed to DAB+ transmission as part of its multiplatform strategy.

“The ABC is a trusted and well listened to public broadcaster in Australia. We host big national conversations such as the ‘War on Waste’ or the upcoming elections in our country.

“We have been broadcasting in the Asia Pacific for 80 years,” she said.

Comment from Peter Saxon

The ABC and Michelle Guthrie have reached a settlement in an unfair dismissal case brought by the former managing director.

The government has named Ita Buttrose as the new ABC Chair.

Federal Cabinet met in Sydney yesterday, and approved the appointment for the next five years, then the decision went through an approval process, consulting the opposition and taking it to the governor general for assent.

Recruitment company Korn Ferry was commisssioned by the government to compile a short list, but Buttrose's name was not on it.

BREAKING: The Australian is reporting that senior government sources confirmed cabinet had chosen Ita Buttrose as the ABC’s next chair.