ABC blasted for adding content warning to iconic talk show

The ABC has been slammed after issuing a disclaimer that a decades-old British talk show may offend viewers despite its PG rating.

The ABC has been slammed over adding a content warning to a decades-old talk show.

The national broadcaster is playing classic programs to celebrate its 90th anniversary on the air.

Among one of the shows are episodes of Parkinson In Australia, a series of interviews hosted by journalist Sir Michael Parkinson which were produced in the late 70s and early 80s.

The PG-rated program contains a disclaimer: “The following program expresses attitudes that are not consistent with current standards and may offend some viewers.”

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The PG-rated program contains a disclaimer. Picture: ABC.

2GB radio host Ben Fordham blasted the warning as “another example of political correctness creeping into our lives” during his breakfast show on Friday.

“This time it’s the ABC in Australia taking action,” he said. “In their sights – Sir Michael Parkinson. Yes, Parky.

“Now, the program is rated PG, so what could possibly cause offence? We’ve been doing our best to try and work that out.

“They’re just conversations with some great Aussie characters in all their glory, characters that in the modern uptight world we’re sadly often missing.”

Kerry Packer and British television interviewer Michael Parkinson.

Episodes with the viewer advice include interviews with former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, the late media mogul Kerry Packer, actor Paul Hogan and ABC chair Ita Buttrose.

The warning does not specify which program is offensive to viewers.

“The use of warnings before content of this nature is consistent with the ABC’s editorial policies,” an ABC spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

“It is also consistent with the approach taken by many other broadcasters and streaming services who include similar warnings for content which includes potentially offensive language or attitudes,” she said.