American Express pulls advertising from Sky News after Blair Cottrell interview

The multinational financial giant has responded to the fallout from the broadcaster’s decision to interview far right extremist Blair Cottrell.

Blair Cottrell has now been banned from appearing on the Australian News Channel.

American Express has pulled its advertising from Sky News Australia in response to the network’s interview with far right extremist Blair Cottrell.

The multinational financial giant issued a short statement on Twitter this afternoon in response to inquiries from campaigners.

“American Express has made the decision to suspend advertising from Sky News, as recent content on the channel does not reflect our brand values.” the statement read.

The company was responding to pressure group Sleeping Giants Oz, which says it tries to stop hate speech in the media by asking companies to stop advertising with them.

Sky News responded to American Express in a statement.

“We respect and acknowledge AMEX’s decision to suspend advertising on the channel,” a spokeswoman said.

“We have made a very public apology and addressed these concerns in the strongest possible way.”

Fallout from the Sunday night interview continued today after Mr Cottrell posted a message, since deleted, that referenced raping a Sky News presenter.

“Sky News invited me on, then within 2 hours: Deletes the interview, sacks the presenter & cancels his show, bans me from ever coming back on,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I might as well have raped @ljayes (Sky News daytime presenter Laura Jayes) on the air, not only would she have been happier with that but the reaction would’ve been the same.”

Jayes, who had attacked the interview with Mr Cottrell, describing him “he’s not an activist, he’s just an arsehole” republished his comments and added:

“As if to prove my original character assessment … Blair Cottrell posts (and later deletes) some weird suggestion about raping me on air. He’s not just a fascist. He’s down right dangerous.”

Mr Cottrell has convictions for stalking his ex-girlfriend, for attempting to burn down her new partner’s house, aggravated burglary, property damage, arson, trafficking testosterone, possessing a controlled weapon and breaching court orders.

After widespread public outcry, Sky News removed promotional tweets about the interview, conducted by former Country Liberal Party Chief Minister Adam Giles.

Sky News presenters including David Speers and Janine Perrett joined Jayes in criticised the network’s decision to air the interview.

In response, outgoing Australian News Channel chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos banned Mr Cottrell from the channel, suspended the Adam Giles program and restructured his editorial team.

“We deeply regret featuring the interview on our channel. It was an error of judgment and we have taken action to ensure our standards, which we are proud of, are maintained,” said Mr Frangopoulos in a statement.

“Sky News features wide debate and discussion from across the political spectrum and will invite guests at times whose views are objectionable, but when we do, they must be held to account in the context of respectful discourse that meets community and our own expectations.

“The Sky News editorial leadership team will ensure the production of weekend programs and guest appearances meet editorial, journalistic and community expectations.”

Mr Cottrell holds extremist views and once called for schools to hang a picture of Adolf Hitler in every Australian classroom.