The chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) resigned on Thursday over allegations he pressured the independent national broadcaster to fire two political journalists because the ruling conservative government disliked them. ABC chairman Justin Milne announced on Monday that ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie, who was also the broadcaster’s editor-in-chief, had been fired halfway through her five-year contract because the board did not like her leadership style. Media reports have since alleged that Mr Milne, who is responsible for maintaining ABC independence, had unsuccessfully pressured Ms Guthrie to fire political editor Andrew Probyn and chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici to prevent potential cuts in government funding. New York: Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has weighed in on the crisis engulfing ABC chairman Justin Milne, confirming that he did raise concerns with his long-term friend about stories aired by the public broadcaster but denying that he demanded particular journalists be fired. “It is clearly not a good thing for everybody to be trying to do their jobs with this kind of firestorm going on.”

Guthrie, one of the highest-profile female executives in international television, was fired less than two and a half years into a five-year contract. Asked Thursday in an interview with ABC if his resignation was an acknowledgement of a failure to protect the network's independence, Milne responded: "Absolutely 100 percent not." In departing, Milne denied any government interference, and said he was leaving to “provide a release valve” for the “firestorm” stirred up by the reports. These appeared to show Milne putting pressure on Guthrie to “get rid of” ABC financial journalist Emma Alberici. Earlier, Mr Morrison had described the interference allegations against Mr Milne as “pretty serious” and “very concerning.”

“The idea that the government has somehow got some list and is telling the ABC who should work there and who shouldn’t — that’s complete rubbish,” he told reporters.
Justin Milne resigns as chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation following allegations that he interfered in the broadcaster's employment and editorial practices on behalf of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.