The ABC has sent four of its biggest stars to cover the 2024 US elections, despite having three correspondents permanently based in the United States.
Sarah Ferguson, Michael Rowland, John Lyons and David Speers flew to the United States at taxpayer expense to lead the network’s coverage.
Many Australians have criticized the network for its “extravagant” coverage, especially as the ABC already has three US-based journalists: Jade Macmillan, Carrington Clarke and Barbara Miller.
By contrast, cash-strapped Channel 10 only sent The Project host Waleed Aly and 10News reporter Hugh Riminton to the United States for the election.
One critic said: “ABC has foreign correspondents in the United States, perfectly capable of reporting on the upcoming elections.”
A second said: ‘Sarah Ferguson, David Speers and Michael Rowland are in America for the election, plus the esteemed John Lyons. Why don’t you give your entire crew a trip to the United States?
A third said: “A huge waste of taxpayers’ money sending people to the US when they have reporters on the ground.”
Commercial networks have not escaped criticism either: Nine and Seven sent high-profile teams despite having made dozens of journalists redundant this year.
Nine sent Karl Stefanovic, Liz Hayes and Charles Croucher to Washington DC, with its US-based reporters Jonathan Kearsley, Alison Piotrowski and Lauren Tomasi reporting from the battleground states.
Many Australians have criticized ABC for sending its biggest stars to the United States.
ABC star Michael Rowland and Nine’s Karl Stefanovic
Seven has deployed Natalie Barr to lead its coverage, supported by the network’s US correspondents David Woiwod in Washington, and Tim Lester and Mylee Hogan in key states.
Sky News has Peter Stefanovic at Trump headquarters and its US correspondent, Annelise Nielsen, covering key events.
Many Australians have wondered why networks feel the need to send big-name presenters overseas.
Nine sent Karl Stefanovic, Liz Hayes and Charles Croucher to Washington, DC, with their American reporters Jonathan Kearsley, Alison Piotrowski and Lauren Tomasi reporting from the battleground states.
Seven sent Natalie Barr to lead its coverage
“It would be much more relevant if Australian television presenters focused on domestic issues and events,” one of them said.
‘Channels 7 and 9 already have Australian reporters in the United States covering the elections. Why did they have to send Natalie and Stefanovic? “What value do they add?” added a second.
ABC has been contacted for comment.