Media Watch host Paul Barry took the opportunity to throw some criticism at ABC management, notably omitting a short-lived former CEO during his farewell episode.
The veteran presenter caused shockwaves at the broadcaster earlier this year when he announced he was stepping down as host of ABC’s Monday night staple after 11 and a half years with award-winning investigative journalist Linton Besser to take over. next year.
In his final episode, Barry admitted that “several ABC executives wanted me fired” during his time on the show.
“But they left and I survived and so did the show and I have ABC to thank for that,” he said.
Barry went on to personally thank two CEOs, Mark Scott and David Anderson, who closed out their second stint at Media Watch but left out the middle one, Michelle Guthrie.
Guthrie was unceremoniously fired in 2018, halfway through her five-year term, and then took legal action against the ABC over her dismissal, which was settled out of court.
“What a disaster,” Barry tweeted at the time about his sudden departure.
‘Will the staff mourn his passing?’ he asked rhetorically in another tweet.
Media Watch presenter Paul Barry has said goodbye to the show for the final time.
‘I think the answer is “no”… Are we losing a passionate advocate for public broadcasting? Once again, I think the answer is “no.”
Guthrie moved to Australia from Singapore to take over the ABC in 2016 after being tapped for her senior role at search engine Google under Malcolm Turnbull’s then coalition government.
His cost-cutting approach angered ABC staff after $43 million was withdrawn from an improved newsgathering service.
Under his leadership, 200 middle management employees were cut and the savings were put toward a new $50 million Great Ideas Grant, where different divisions could submit proposals for funding.
Subsequently, another 20 editorial journalists in the capital were fired to make way for new digital and regional reporters.
She was then slammed by Melbourne ABC radio morning presenter Jon Faine at the Melbourne Press Club for her “failed strategy” and “remaining silent” after the Turnbull government froze ABC funding in 84. million dollars over three years.
Barry thanks two ABC CEOs who oversaw his time on the show but failed to mention the other, Michelle Guthrie, who was fired in 2018.
Guthrie’s digital strategy saw ABC spend $2 million promoting its stories online on Google and Facebook.
The ABC, long accused of left-wing bias by the Conservatives, angered then-Communications Minister Mitch Fifield after chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici wrote an article condemning the corporate tax cuts.
An ABC review found the analysis article contained nine factual errors or omissions, including the allegation that large companies such as Qantas had failed to pay corporate tax, when in fact the airline had been making losses for several years.
Then-ABC president Justin Milne reportedly sent Guthrie an email at the time demanding that he fire Alberici.
Mrs Guthrie also introduced a system whereby bosses would be rewarded with “well done” cards, as part of a thank-you system that treated them like little children.
Paul Barry was reflective in his production office at ABC headquarters in Sydney before filming his farewell episode of Media Watch.
It featured a character named Larry, to help improve morale within ABC and reward individual efforts.
A new lifestyle website, ABC Life, was launched, which trade media reported was encroaching on its territory.
Some comedy shows commissioned by Ms Guthrie were controversial, and the quickly axed Tonightly program aired an unpleasant skit calling an Australian Conservative by-election candidate, Kevin Bailey, a ‘c***’.
Barry opened his latest episode of Media Watch by recalling his first season hosting the show in 2000, where he clashed with then-controversial ABC boss Jonathan Shier.
“He (Mr. Shier) was a disaster, fattening management, cutting programs and creating fear and confusion with the media,” Barry recalled.
An emotional Barry cried backstage after filming his final episode of Media Watch.
‘So I decided to dedicate an episode of Media Watch to that criticism and interview ABC chairman Donald McDonald, whose board had elected Jonathan Shire to the top job. I asked him if he regretted his choice.
“People told me I was brave. People told me I was stupid. People told me I was going to be fired and that was fine, my contract was not renewed, which shows that independent media oversight is never guaranteed.’
Media Watch was canceled in 2001 despite a protest strike by ABC staff.
After Shier’s departure, it returned to ABC programming the following year, hosted by journalist and author David Marr.
“It’s remarkable that any broadcaster would tolerate a program that attacks it like we have,” Barry said.
Barry, who was shown wiping away tears in backstage photos taken after the show ended, ended with a few more thank yous.
He noted that executive producer Tim Latham was “wonderful to work with,” but noted that he wouldn’t be at the show next year either.
“Thank you to everyone who has put this show on the air week after week, year after year,” Barry said.
‘they are friends I haven’t lost and next year has really been a team effort.’
Barry also announced that the spin-off webisode series Media Bites would not happen next year, as he wished Besser the best of luck in taking over the main gig.