ABC presenter Tony Armstrong has been criticized by the broadcaster after his new venture was revealed.
The Australian TV star, 34, announced last week that she would be leaving her role at ABC News Breakfast after three years.
He has now become the voice of NRMA’s insurance ads, in which he voices but does not appear, and the ads have been on television since July.
ABC’s Media Watch program was discussing his new job on Monday, when host Janine Perrett said it was “surprising” that Armstrong had failed to get the station’s approval before landing his new role.
“It’s a shame we’re talking about this moonlighting at the expense of the ABC’s integrity in its final week on News Breakfast,” Perrett said.
He added: “Tony is arguably one of ABC’s biggest stars.”
“Not only is he on the breakfast couch, he’s also appearing in the evenings on a new sports show, he’s one of many appearing in ABC News promos, and he’s the face of a new five-part series.
“So we were stunned when we received confirmation that Tony was also selling an insurance company.”
ABC presenter Tony Armstrong has been criticized by the broadcaster after his new venture was revealed.
The ABC Editorial Policy states that any outside work undertaken by a high-profile presenter is not prohibited, but is considered “very high risk”.
ABC told Media Watch that the voiceover was done without their knowledge and was due to a “misunderstanding with Tony’s outside representation.”
‘They have been provided with a copy of the external working guidelines and reminded that all ABC employees must comply with them. “Tony is a very valued employee and has the full support of ABC,” the station said.
Perrett, stunned, replied: “A misunderstanding?”
“How any ABC journalist could voice a commercial for one of Australia’s biggest brands and not think that’s a conflict is beyond us.”
“If this isn’t a violation of the outside work guidelines, which say to seek higher approval, we don’t know what is.”
Media Watch said Armstrong did not respond to its request for comment.
ABC’s Media Watch program was discussing his new job on Monday, when host Janine Perrett said it was “surprising” that Armstrong hadn’t gotten the station’s approval before landing his new role.
Armstrong announced he was leaving his role at ABC News Breakfast last week after three years.
He revealed that his last show will be on October 4, but shared his hopes of returning as a guest in a heartfelt statement.
“I’ve been pretty nervous about doing this,” Tony confirmed.
‘I have retired from News Brekkie and my last day will be October 4.
“I just want to thank absolutely everyone: all of you, my colleagues, everyone behind the camera, all the producers, all the people who also watch and go out and say good morning and all that kind of stuff.” ”, he continued.
“Um, yeah, it’s been kind of a whirlwind three-plus years, a lot has happened, it feels like I’ve been on a rocket, but the support I’ve gotten from News Brekkie AND the news in general has been incredible.
“Thank you so much, I’m going to miss the couch. I’m not going to miss the alarm, but I’m going to miss the couch. I had a great time.”
The ABC Editorial Policy states that any outside work undertaken by a high-profile presenter is not prohibited but is considered “very high risk”.