Sky News host rips ABC reporter over hot mic rant

An ABC reporter and other journalists were caught on a hot mic — but it’s not the first time a hot mic has made headlines.

An ABC journalist caught on tape sledging colleagues and discussing whether or not Sky News host Sharri Markson was “unhinged” and “a pitbull” joins an international roll call of hot mic blunders featuring the late Shane Warne and US presidents.

But there’s one word that’s proving hard to say after ABC journalist Stephen Dziedzic and a group of journalists gathered to chew the fat about their colleagues: sorry.

Sky News host Sharri Markson. Picture: Supplied

ABC journalist Stephen Dziedzic. Picture: Supplied

It’s now emerged the trio of journalists who were chatting at a press conference while blissfully unaware their unplugged views were being pumped into newsrooms, also joked about the proximity of the microphones and history of Liberal leader Peter Dutton’s own hot mic in the past.

But Markson, whose news-breaking over the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic has sparked global headlines has hit back describing the comments as ‘defamatory’ is yet to receive an apology from any of the participants.

“You know I’ve been breaking stories for more than 20 years. And it is disappointing to hear a group of blokes talk about me like that,’’ Markson told 2GB radio host Ben Fordham.

“And to hear these boys from Canberra, mocking the topic and then calling me personally a pitbull and unhinged and then you can’t imagine them saying the same kind of words or names about an equivalent male investigative journalist.

“And you know what, I rang all of them yesterday to let them know, I’m going to be broadcasting this private conversation and by the way, you can see the big microphones in front of them.

“And I spoke to Stephen Dziedzic yesterday and I even suggested to him that he could give me a statement where he says, you know, it was a private conversation, and he apologises to me and Patricia Karvelas. (But) there hasn’t been an apology and not from the ABC, either.”

Sharri Markson is yet to receive an apology.

On her nightly TV program, Markson said the comments were “defamatory.”

“Calling me unhinged and a Pitbull? Well, I describe my investigative book, my features, my documentary, my dozens of world exclusive articles as careful and forensic,’ Markson said.

“The ABC is meant to serve the public interest and public interest journalism and the origins of the pandemic, what was unfolding in Wuhan is absolutely what was in the public interest with seven million people who have now died.

“But this stunning admission that a journalist didn’t consider it or investigate it because of ideological reasons... is a disservice to our society and it’s a shame that public interest journalism wasn’t pursued.’

But the journalists won’t be the first of the last to get hit by the hot mic moment.

Shane Warne’s just “f***ung bat properly” tip

Broadcaster Kayo Sports was forced to apologise after airing an expletive-laden discussion between Australian cricket greats Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds about Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne.

Unaware the remarks were being broadcast, Warne suggested that spinner Labuschagne had some unorthodox batting habits.

“Yeah, f***,” Warne replied. “Jeez it’s annoying. ‘No!!!’ Just f***ing bat properly.”

President Ronald Regan outlaws Russia

Former US President was caught on tape joking during a sound check at height of the Cold War about some wild plans for Russia.

“My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever,’’ he said.

“We begin bombing in five minutes.”

BBC TV reporter Nicholas Witchell was the target of (then) Prince Charles’s ire. Picture: Supplied

Prince Charles on those ‘bloody people’ from the BBC

King Charles (at the time Prince Charles) was caught out during a photoshoot on the eve of his wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles. “I hate doing this ... I hate these people,” he muttered to his sons Harry and William blissfully unaware that his microphone was capturing his whispered sledge.

Asked by the BBC’s royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell how he felt about his upcoming nuptials, he whispered to Prince Harry “Bloody people. I can’t bear that man. He’s so awful, he really is.”

Allysha Chapman let Tony Gustavsson have it. Picture: Optus Sports.

“You tw*t”

Just this week, the BBC has been forced to apologise after a foul-mouthed rant during Australia’s win over Canada at the Women’s World Cup

Canada’s defender Allysha Chapman went on an expletive tirade against Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson that was caught on tape.

“She f---ing jumped into me you t--t,” she was heard saying.

There’s a boom mike up there

Then immigration minister, Peter Dutton was busted during an open mic moment with former prime minister, Tony Abbott, where he joked about rising sea levels in the Pacific.

As Mr Abbott said that meetings in Port Moresby did not run to schedule, Mr Dutton replied: “Time doesn’t mean anything when you’re, you know, about to have water lapping at your door.”

Scott Morrison wordlessly pointed out that there was a boom mic above the ministers and said nothing

Mark McGowan and the Cold War pills

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan was busted suggesting the opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie was “a prison guard looking for work now that the pandemic has finished” in footage in Beijing.

He also praised former WA Coalition senator Mathias Cormann.

“I like Mathias Cormann, he had the same view as me, but he had no sway… on this issue. He had a lot of sway, but on this issue, he was the odd one out,” the Premier is heard telling Mr Barber.

“The other Western Australian who was senior, well, there was a few of them actually – Hastie.

“He swallowed some sort of Cold War pills back… when he was born, and he couldn’t get his mindset out of that.”

President Obama calls Kanye “a jackass”

President Barack Obama was caught riffing on Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards. When someone asked, “Why would he do that?” Obama frankly responded, “He’s a jackass” prompting an eruption of laughter.

President Bush calls reporter “a major league asshole”

During the 2000 US election campaign, microphones caught George W. Bush and Dick Cheney trashing Adam Clymer, a reporter for the New York Times. In a hushed whisper, Bush described Clymer as a “major-league asshole,” to which Dick Cheney responded, “Yeah, big time.” Later, Bush explained: “I said what I said. I’m a plainspoken fellow.”