The Stream

Australians say: ‘Protect our ABC’

Citizens launch defence on social media after prime minister accuses broadcaster of taking ‘everyone’s side but Australia’s’.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in front of the Bali bombing memorial after laying a wreath at the memorial to those killed in the 2002 Bali bombing, in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, 09 October 2013. (EPA/MADE NAGI)

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott came under fire from social media Wednesday for accusing the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) of being unpatriotic in its reporting. He said ABC “instinctively takes everyone’s side but Australia’s”. He criticised the network’s coverage of NSA leaks and allegations the navy abused asylum seeks. The publicly funded ABC reported asylum seekers were beaten and forced to hold hot pipes by the Australian Navy. The navy strongly denied the reports and Abbott said journalists should give the navy the “benefit of the doubt”.    

On Thursday, the Australian government launched an “efficiency study” into the ABC. Communications Minister Malcom Turnbull said the study is designed to “ensure that the ABC is running its business as cost-effectively as possible”. He added they will not look into its editorial policies.