After a string of high-profile defamation problems and controversies over tweets, ABC journalists have been told to “pull their heads in,” according to Sky News host Chris Kenny.
It comes after The Australian’s Sophie Elsworth revealed the ABC has issued a warning to its staff about their social media posts.
The national broadcaster’s Managing Director David Anderson told staff “the primary concern is when personal social media activity reflects badly on the ABC’s independence and integrity, or when a poorly judged post or series of posts or “likes” compromises perceptions of the impartiality of someone in an ABC role where maintaining impartiality in the public eye is crucial.”
According to Mr Kenny this means the personal tweets of ABC journalists give away “their true views” and “embarrasses the ABC”.
“So the ABC is saying it is best for their reporters to hide their biases so they can at least pretend to be an objective news outfit,” he said.
“It is a bit late, isn’t it? The horse has bolted.”
