Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has commented on the fallout surrounding an interview involving television presenter Karl Stefanovic and notorious anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, as scrutiny continues over the broadcast.
“I don’t want to get into a debate about Nine at the moment, but you know, look at what’s happened,” he said at an event in Canberra.
“You go down that road and you get further and further out on the edges of what is mainstream political debate in this country, and … I think that that can have, you know, an impact.”
The comments follow an interview released on Tuesday as part of The Karl Stefanovic Show, which was later removed from multiple platforms.
The episode featured Stefanovic speaking with Robinson, who has previously been refused entry to Australia.
During the interview, Stefanovic made comments praising Robinson’s approach to public debate.
“I really do admire your tenacity and the courage that you’re showing in trying to stand up for what you believe is right,” he said during the interview.
The broadcast prompted responses from federal ministers, including Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who said he did not support giving a platform to individuals he considered inappropriate for entry to Australia.
“He certainly wouldn’t get a visa under me, he certainly wouldn’t get a platform under me,” Burke said.
“The last thing we need in Australia is for the temperature to be raised by people who want to spread hatred being given a louder voice.”
The podcast episode was later re-uploaded to YouTube by Pauline Hanson.
Nine Entertainment has said the podcast is an independent production and that it was not involved in guest selection or editorial decisions.
“Nine has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes,” a spokesperson said.
“However, Nine is taking this matter seriously.”
The interview also drew attention from media commentary groups, including Mad F***ing Witches, which has previously campaigned against media organisations and advertisers.
On social media, the group commented on reports relating to the broadcast, saying: “Congratulations, witches,” it wrote, sharing a news report. “We did it again.”
Australian Radio Network (ARN), which also works with Stefanovic on a separate podcast project, said the program is independent and not connected to its editorial standards.
Opposition Senator Matt Canavan also commented, saying journalists should be able to conduct interviews without losing their jobs over the content of discussions.
It is not yet clear why the episode was removed from platforms or who made the decision to take it down.
Stefanovic has worked with Nine since 2000 and is a long-time co-host of the Today program.
Image:Youtube
