Outgoing ABC news chief Gaven Morris says he has had a consistent message for the 1,200 journalists under his watch these past six years.
“One of the things that I’ve encouraged staff to do constantly is not to look at small media mouthpieces that have an agenda; and look at the impact that we have with our audience,” Morris told Raf Epstein on ABC Melbourne hours after announcing his resignation.
Those “small media mouthpieces” are in the main the Australian and Sky News, the ABC’s biggest critics who both have niche audiences, and prosecute Rupert Murdoch’s agenda to see the ABC privatised.
“And what I would say to our staff and our teams: look at the broader impact we have on the Australian public,” Morris, 49, said. “The Australian public often don’t think in the way that Sky News might think. And so, focus on the needs of the audience, focus on the feedback, and the respect and the dedication we have from our audience. That’s what matters a lot more to me than the media organisations that might have a preset agenda.”
Two things: this story is mostly misinformed suppositions & "Mr Morris did not respond to questions from The Australian" is totally false. I received no questions from The Australian but a sly message to provide 'background' which I don't do and ignored. https://t.co/kHY2A8NvT3
— Gaven Morris (@gavmorris) October 7, 2021
Morris was responsible for Four Corners, 7.30, TV and radio news, documentaries, ABC online and the news channel, so there was a lot of pressure. Sometimes it came from within, from journalists not happy with his decisions, as in the recent delay of the program about Scott Morrison and a supporter of QAnon, and sometimes it even came from the ABC board, which famously called for him to sack political correspondent Andrew Probyn.
It’s three years since this confronting front page.
— Andrew Probyn (@andrewprobyn) October 7, 2021
I remember saying to my wife “Christ, this headline is about me” and wondering why on earth I’d ever come back to the ABC. Gaven Morris @gavmorris offered huge support, for which I’m eternally grateful.
Onya Gaven. pic.twitter.com/3thii2vZxb
Morris, who started as a copyboy on the Sydney Morning Herald in Canberra before landing a dream job as a reporter on ABC TV’s 1990s youth program Attitude, also had to take the blame when shows were axed: notably the historic 7.45am radio bulletin and TV’s Lateline.
He says the hardest part is not deciding what to do but deciding “what not to do” with limited resources. “One of the hardest parts of a role like this in the ABC is so much of what we all do is precious to people and has a lot of heritage wrapped up in it.”
Morris told Michael Rowland on ABC News Breakfast that he has no regrets about the corporation’s reporting on Christian Porter’s historic rape allegations, which Porter denies, or the Ghost Train documentary about the Luna Park fire.
“I really don’t,” he said on Friday morning. “I think the journalism we did around those stories was first-class. We’ve not changed a word of those stories. They are still available for anyone to see and to read.”
Cold reception
The new New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet has been told in no uncertain terms he is not welcome on one of the state’s most popular media platforms, the Kyle and Jackie O Show.
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O host the top-rating breakfast program on KIIS, and have provided some lucky politicians access to their listeners, including Perrottet’s predecessor Gladys Berejiklian and recently Scott Morrison when he wanted to address rumours about Engadine Maccas.
“How can someone run a state like New South Wales and be anti-abortion and anti-gay rights,” Sandilands asked on Wednesday during a conversation with a psychic.
“Oh well he’s out in my books then.
“Oh this guy’s gotta go. He’s never allowed on the show guys, just so you know. He’s not allowed, I don’t want that rubbish!”
Jackie O said it was “gutting” to hear Berejiklian would be replaced.
“Honestly a person like that to replace Gladys, oh my God,” she said.
Splendid isolation
The journalists who travelled with the prime minister on his trip to the US last month will come out of 14-day quarantine at midnight on Sunday.
The correspondents all made individual arrangements – sanctioned by ACT health – perhaps staying in a granny flat at home where they could isolate from family, or renting an Airbnb or staying in Defence accommodation.
They all kept working, making unique arrangements to keep filing despite the restrictions, and had regular health checks and tests.
Seven’s Mark Riley and cameraman Steve Quick quarantined together, setting up a mini studio in their temporary lounge room and broadcasting live pictures that some Seven executives thought looked better than the studio ones. SBS’s Anna Henderson was able to quarantine at home in a separate granny flat, while doing live crosses to the SBS World News.
Malcolm Turnbull has also lashed the Prime Minister for his handling of the AUKUS deal, describing the decision to hold out on the French submarine deal until the last minute as deceitful, devious and double crossing. @annajhenderson #Auspol pic.twitter.com/L1TaoDhq25
— SBS News (@SBSNews) September 29, 2021
The Australian’s national editor Dennis Shanahan went straight into quarantine in the ACT on his return from the US. “I have been monitored daily by ACT health and had a full schedule of Covid tests administered by a doctor like everyone else on the trip as far as I am aware. I have not left quarantine and won’t until after midnight on Sunday pending a final negative test.”
Python prompt
Ballina Shire councillor Keith Williams found himself the centre of media attention this week when he posted pictures on Twitter of a giant snake in his kitchen on the NSW north coast.
He found it rather disappointing as he has been trying to get the media to pay attention to his attempts to clean up the Richmond River for almost a decade. A big snake is always going to grab the media’s attention.
Can’t believe I cleared part of the dish rack before I even noticed.
— Keith Williams (@Captainturtle) October 6, 2021
OK, I’d just got up and was waiting for coffee. But still… pic.twitter.com/gxrAkzTuuV
“I’ve been asked to appear on ABC News Breakfast tomorrow to chat about my snake experience,” Williams said.
“Not my nine-year freakin slog to clean up the Richmond River, or anything useful like that. Sigh. But you know I’m gonna do it anyway.”
After his chat, Williams thanked the Breakfast team “for giving me 30 secs to rant on my favourite topic, the health of the Richmond River. Woohoo!”
Valentine’s breakfast date
James Valentine has been named as the replacement for Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck who will be leaving ABC Sydney Breakfast in December. The former ABC Weekend Breakfast host Josh Szeps will move to the Afternoons program, which Valentine has hosted for 20 years.
The breakfast slot is being shortened by an hour and will run from 6.15am-8am, then break for AM and return until 9am.
“When I first worked at the station in the mid-90s, it was Clive Robertson, then Phil Clarke, with Andrew Olle on afterwards. Angela Catterns, Adam Spencer, Wendy and Robbie – that’s a legacy to build on and I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity,” Valentine said.
