ABC staff rally to save Lateline
AAP
Hundreds of ABC journalists have reportedly signed a petition to save current affairs program Lateline amid further budget cuts and job losses at the public broadcaster.
According to a Fairfax report, the petition, which has been signed by an estimated 350 ABC staff, will be presented to the ABC board before they meet on Monday.
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The broadcaster is considering axing Lateline and state-based editions of 7.30, as well as radio programs such as PM and The World Today.
I love @Lateline investigations. We don’t need more News 24 short grab content. We need the solid stuff. Analysis. Questioning.
— Gretchen Miller (@GretchenYMiller) September 22, 2014
A $35.5 million cut in the broadcaster’s allowance was announced in the May budget, with Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull flagging further cuts in the future.
High profile journalists like 7.30 host Leigh Sales and radio presenter Mark Colvin are believed to have signed the petition, which says Australia needs independent media.
Sales took to Twitter to protest the axing of Lateline, she would be “deeply saddened” to see the program end.
As a former anchor of Lateline, I would be deeply saddened to see such a quality program end. — Leigh Sales (@leighsales) September 22, 2014