Kim Williams Responds to Media Watch Allegations
ABC Chair Kim Williams denied interfering in editorial decisions after Media Watch alleged he pushed for airtime for comedian Sandy Gutman, known by his stage name Austen Tayshus, and Mr Williams said, “I emphasise this is just not the case” and expressed regret for any misunderstandings or erroneous assumptions that may have arisen during the process.
Figure 1: Kim Williams denied Media Watch’s allegations
Comedian Receives Extensive Airtime
Media Watch reported that since last year, Gutman received over 90 minutes of airtime across 11 segments on ABC local radio, where presenters regularly promoted details of his upcoming shows during interviews.
Initial Interview Rejections and Subsequent Complaints
Media Watch stated that local teams had initially declined some interview requests from Gutman, and after Port Pirie refused an interview, Gutman telephoned Mr Williams alleging antisemitism, leading Mr Williams to contact head of audio content Ben Latimer, who, according to Media Watch, relayed a message to editorial staff, and days later Gutman appeared on North and West SA local radio.
Executive Communications and Internal Disputes
According to the program, after continued lobbying from Gutman, Mr Latimer contacted Mr Williams to express concern that Gutman was out of line, and in another case, after being denied an interview by ABC New England, Gutman again contacted Mr Williams, who then forwarded the complaint to Mr Latimer and a senior news executive on extended leave.
Email Exchanges Highlight Further Concerns
Media Watch cited an email from Mr Williams to Mr Latimer where he said he was “essentially on his [Gutman’s] side” and stated, “Our people are often arrogant with talent,” adding, “How often would someone like Austen Tayshus be in New England?” and, “Strange attitude, I know he can be demanding but he is talent,” and following this email, ABC New England Breakfast aired an interview with Gutman a week later.
Kim Williams Maintains Editorial Independence
Mr Williams said to Media Watch, “I did not at any time intervene and would never seek to override editorial judgement from local teams,” and clarified that, “My comment was about responding to talent,” as he denied influencing any final editorial decision.
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Concerns Raised About Editorial Independence
Some ABC staff raised internal concerns about editorial independence following Mr Williams’ actions, according to Media Watch, and ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks said the issues raised were “important,” adding, “I have been at the ABC a short time but I am vigilant to ensure the proper delineation of responsibility between the Board and management,” and he confirmed that he would act appropriately in the interests of the ABC, its staff, and its audiences.
Former Editorial Director Comments on the Matter
Former ABC editorial director Alan Sunderland said board members must not be seen to lobby for specific editorial outcomes, and stated, “This sort of pressure on program teams from any board member, let alone the chairman, is in my view inappropriate,” adding that the perceived pressure on teams to reverse editorial decisions revealed a “significant failure of process and judgement”.
Relationship Between Williams and Gutman Clarified
Gutman initially described Mr Williams as a “friend,” though Mr Williams described him as an acquaintance from 27 years ago, and in a later statement, Gutman said he was unsure whether he had ever met Mr Williams, and explained, “I contacted him because I thought he may be able to help me with what I perceived as lack of impartiality on the part of some journos,” adding, “All I expected was some help with some interviews and that’s what I got from him and Ben Latimer”.
ABC Responds to Media Watch Report
In response to the Media Watch report, the ABC said that management had recently spoken with Gutman to communicate clear expectations regarding his behaviour when pitching interviews, and emphasised that editorial decisions remain independent under ABC policies, stating, “The ABC Chair has always made clear he expects ABC management to follow its independent decision-making on content,” and continued, “As the Editorial Policies state, the trust and respect of the community depend on the ABC’s editorial independence and integrity”.
