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Sky News ban: Transport Minister Jacinta Allan exposed in train wreck interview

Jacinta Allan was unable to give specific examples of offensive content that had been aired on train station platforms.

Stephen Brook and Samantha Hutchinson
14 min read
12:00AMAugust 10, 2018.
Updated 1:27AMAugust 10, 2018
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Transport Minister Jacinta Allan. Picture: Peter Ristevski
Transport Minister Jacinta Allan. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Sky News has confirmed an interview with far-right extremist Blair Cottrell did not go to air in Victorian train stations — but Transport Minister Jacinta Allan says she received “different advice”.

Ms Allan today defended her decision to ban Sky News from Victorian train stations in a train wreck interview with Sky presenters Laura Jayes and David Speers, but was unable to give specific examples of offensive content that had been aired on train station platforms.

She argued “dozens of advertisers” had left Sky following the decision to air the Cottrell interview, when in fact only three — American Express, Huggies and Specsavers — had taken such action.

Ms Allan also admitted she was aware that no long-form interviews, such as the Blair Cottrell segment, were screened as part of the Sky News package aired at train stations.

“This material is out of step with what people’s views are. Views that might incite hatred...” Ms Allan said.

Ms Jayes then stepped in to point out the Cottrell interview had not aired at train stations.

“But the examples you’ve just given me — Blair Cottrell and the David Leyonhjelm interviews — they both did not go to air inside these train stations. So I’m just trying to find out from you, what material that has gone to air in these train stations is so offensive that’s made you make this extraordinary decision today?” Jayes questioned.

Ms Allan replied: “Well the extraordinary decision, is the decision, as you call it, is the decision being taken by dozens of Sky’s own advertisers, it’s a decision that follows on the regret that’s been expressed by your own news director, that the decision to air that interview was wrong.

“What I’ve taken as an opportunity over the course of this week reflecting on the events of the past week is to see there’s an opportunity to put different content on these screens that are on the public transport asset. And we’ll be working with our public transport operator about what goes on to air, because it’s about making sure that, as passengers are standing at the station waiting for the train that they can see something they may be a bit more comfortable with.”

Last night, Sky News presenter Peta Credlin took aim at Ms Allan for engaging in “politically correct self-censorship”. “So not for the first time, nor I suspect the last, we find a Victorian minister has had a trainwreck of an interview because facts are found to trump their left-wing ideology,” Credlin said.

Sky was the only Australian broadcaster to have banned Cottrell and as such the removal of Sky from the city’s metro train stations “is much less an infringement on free speech than it is a demonstration of the incompetence, the unfairness and the sheer bias of the Victorian Labor government”.

APN Outdoor, which manages screens that previously broadcast Sky News bulletins in Victorian train stations, said it had not received a complaint from the public about Sky News interviews.

“Since 2015, nationally, we have only received a handful of complaints

relating to Sky News content and none relating to interviews,” an APN Outdoor spokesman said.

Additionally, Sky News CEO and managing director Angelos Frangopoulos confirmed that the station had not received any complaints from the Victorian government about the content of their news bulletins since they launched on the metro rail network in 2015.

Sky News political editor David Speers also further questioned the minister on whether she was aware that the Sky News package produced for Victorian train stations was different to the regular programming on the Sky News channel.

Speers: “Are you aware it's a specifically tailored news, sport (and) weather service, do you understand the difference there?”

Allan: “Yes.”

Speers: “You said in your remarks earlier you believe the Blair Cottrell interview was aired on the metro platforms, on repeat rotation?”

Allan: “Now David I’ll be very clear, the comments I made earlier I did give an indication that I believe that excerpts were run of that interview, the reference to repeat rotation is that the material, the Sky News material, I wasn’t referring to that specific interview, I was referring to the material more generally run on repeat rotation.”

Speers: “You were asked at your press conference specifically related to the Cottrell interview, you said it was (broadcast in train stations), we have checked the tapes and what we sent to the Metro was not shown and you can see that.”

Allan: “Well as I indicated in my comments this morning the advice I had was that it had been screened, you obviously have gone and done a lot of checking on this afternoon, and I will go check the advice that you have.”

Ms Allan said the Victorian Government would review all content broadcast in train stations.

Allan: “This isn’t about, David, you also I know acknowledged that was wrong to screen that interview. This is giving us the opportunity as public transport minister, responsible for the operation of our public transport network, to think about the sort of content that goes on our screens. Not just the news content but the content overall …”

Speers: “But minister with respect, I can’t recall a government in Australia actually banning a media outlet from a service like this, I can’t recall. This is a big deal. I’m basing this, I’m just trying to get to this — you say in this service, this metro service what you are basing this decision on …”

Allan: “David let’s be very clear, there is no banning of Sky News, people can continue to stand if they want to at the train station and watch it on their own personal devices, they can watch it in the comfort of their home … this is about the screens that are …”

Speers: “But you are banning Sky News from this metro service, you are saying specifically the operator of this service cannot broadcast Sky News content, is that correct?”

Allan: “We are taking this opportunity to look at the content that is screened. No broadcaster — it doesn’t matter which media outlet they’re from — has a right to broadcast on our public transport asset. Its something that has worked in with our public transport operators and David …”

Speers: “But you instruction to them as minister is, your instruction to them is not to broadcast any Sky News content — just to be clear on that, that’s what you’re announcing today?”

Allan: “Yes.”

Speers: “And why, I’m just trying to establish why this is, because this is a big step for a politician to ban a particular media outlet and I’m just trying to get the grounds for this, what is the reason for this, if it’s not the Blair Cottrell interview which you acknowledge now, you’re not sure whether if it was broadcast, we checked and we’re sure it was not, what are you basing this on?”

Allan: “David, what I’m basing this on, I have as I indicated to Laura before, and I wasn’t sure if you heard that part of the interview, I’ve received dozens, hundreds of pieces of correspondence from people who are wanting to see different content, who are tired of seeing the kind of content shown on the screens on our public transport network.”

“And what are they complaining about, I understand people can object to what’s broadcast in you know, some of our opinion programs but that’s not what goes to air on the metro platforms, these people may want want to punish Sky News for other reasons but is it something that’s gone to air on the metro platforms so you as minister are now taking this extraordinary step.

“David, the controversy that has surrounded Sky News airing that interview on Sunday has given me, and not just me, many other companies around the country, the opportunity to pause and reflect about what’s appropriate in terms of what’s shown, whether its…’’

Speers: “Dozens and dozens of advertisers have abandoned Sky News… that’s not correct either is it?

“Well okay, there’s been some material published that advertisers like American Express, like Huggies who have walked away…’’

Speers: “Dozens and dozens…’’

Allan: “From their association. Well again, there is material in the public domain.

“David I understand why you’re pursuing this line of questioning ... As public transport minister this is a public asset. We wanted to make sure, the events of the past few days have given us an opportunity to reflect on what goes on those screens, to take the opportunity to reflect on what is the right sort of content that goes on those screens. I’m not suggesting that it will be other news services…’’

Speers: “As you noted, myself, Laura (were) amongst those who were upset about the decision to put Blair Cottrell on Sky News. We expressed that publicly at the time. Sky News has acknowledged its mistake, it has suspended the programs, it has given an assurance he will not appear on the network again.

“Do you know of any other network that has given that assurance or taken those steps, because pretty much all of them have put him on air.’’

Allan: “Well thats a matter for those networks, its about what…’’

Speers: “Well its a matter for you Minister, if you’re going to take these sort of steps, it’s a mtter for you…’’

Allan: “David as I am now getting to the point of repeating myself, we are using this as an opportunity to review the sort of material thats put on the big screens, and the events of the past few days give us a chance to reset that material.

Speers: “And I’m just trying to get to what you’re guiding principle will be, if it’s that Sky News put that guy on air is that the basis for decisions for what you’re going to do with this contract?’’

Allan: “Well we have already established very clear guidelines with our public transport operators as to what is appropriate material that is advertised or screened on our public transport assets.’’

Speers: “What are they?’’

Allan: “It’s um.. It involves, we don’t want to see any gambling advertising, alcohol advertising, no advertising that is sexist or racist, that incites hatred. They’re already established guidelines that we have on our public transport….’’

Speers: “So there is no guideline for, what, on a separate channel, a company might put to air. We’ve established this didn’t go to air on the metro service, I’m just wondering would you ban Channel Seven broadcasting the AFL or the Melbourne Cup?

“You know this guy has been on other networks do you take this approach to other services?’’

Allan: “I was about to say, David, that with the new content that we will be looking at putting on those screens will be consistent with those standards that I’ve just outlined to you that are already in place, agreements we already have in place with our public transport operators.’’

Speers: “But it will not, it will not be open to Sky News at all, regardless of the fact nothing like that went to air on the service, it will not be open to Sky News.

Allan: “Well David this is an opportunity to rethink about what goes on. You’re assuming these screens will be a news-like service. We just want to take this opportunity to reset the content that is shown on these very large screens in our metro stations.’’

Turnbull: Victoria should focus on energy

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the Liberal Party was the party of free speech, and urged the Victorian government to focus on more important issues, like supporting his national energy guarantee.

“I think (free speech) should be the template that we look at all of these debates through,” Mr Turnbull said.

“We are a democracy governed by the rule of law, and one of our great rights is of free speech and debate.

“But I’ll tell you what the real issue the Victorian government should be focused on, is ensuring that Victorians pay less for electricity.” —Rachel Baxendale

Banning Sky political censorship: Bolt

Andrew Bolt says the Victorian government is trying to shut down Sky News. Picture: Andrew Henshaw
Andrew Bolt says the Victorian government is trying to shut down Sky News. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Andrew Bolt has slammed as “political censorship” the decision to ban Sky News from Victoria train stations in the wake of the network’s interview with right wing extremist Blair Cottrell.

“This is the Victorian government trying to shut down Sky News for having conservative presenters,” the commentator and Sky News presenter said this afternoon. “That’s its real aim, thats the real aim of this boycott being pushed by the ABC and others, and I think this is a very very serious moment in Australian journalism.”

Victorian State Transport minister Jacinta Allan has agreed to go on Sky to explain the decision after this morning announcing on Twitter that the network would be barred from all CBD station screens after Sky host Adam Giles intervewed Mr Cottrell, former leader of the United Patriots Front.

“I’ve directed @MetroTrains to remove @skynewsaustralia from all CBD station screens. Hatred and racism have no place on our screens or in our community. #springst,” she tweeted.

However Mr Bolt pointed out that the interview never actually aired on train platform screens and that Sky was the only network to have banned the right winger.

“Sky News is now the only network that has banned Blair Cottrell. Blair Cottrell has appeared on the ABC, on Channel 7, on Channel 9, on Fairfax Radio, and he has not been banned by any of them. But when he appears on Sky News, they seize this opportunity, when this is the only station in Australia where you can be guaranteed you won’t see him - that’s the one that’s been banned,” he said.

“The reason for the ban is that the Victorian government has given in to left wing activists that have campaigned for ages against Sky for as I say having conservative presenters: Me, Peta Credlin, Alan Jones, Paul Murray, Rowan Dean and others.”

Sky News this week apologised after the interview with Mr Cottrell, who once called for schools to hang a picture of Adolf Hitler in every Australian classroom. The network also removed the interview and promotional tweets.

Labor MP supports Sky ban

Federal Labor MP Tim Watts defended the Sky ban as “the exercise of free speech”.

“No one’s entitled to a platform for their free speech,” he told Sky News host Laura Jayes.

“The Victorian government is sending a very clear message about its view about what happened on Sky News the other day.

“I was pretty outraged by what happened. I thought it was an appalling reflection on the really serious journalists at Sky News. I felt terrible for you, Laura, when I saw that happen the other night, because that is not a reflection of the quality of journalism that I see during the day on Sky News.

“For the Victorian government, they can send a message about their attitude to what’s going on on those programs, in the same way as anyone else in our public has.”

Jayes asked Mr Watts why the Victorian government was not banning the ABC, Channel 7, Channel 9 and ABC radio, who have all interviewed Cottrell over the past two years.

“Well Laura, I was highly critical of those other outlets when they did that,” Mr Watts said.

“I don’t think there’s any place for neo-Nazis in the mainstream of Australian public debate.

“What I would say to you though, is that that interview that ran on Sky News, the host was cheering him on.

“Let’s be frank here: he was saying that this bloke was being criticised by the ‘crazy left’.

“Well if you’re ‘crazy left’ for criticising someone that wants to put pictures of Adolf Hiter in schoolrooms in Australia, well call me the “crazy left”.

“When he was on the ABC, at least he was getting interrogated for those appalling views.”

Jayes said Sky was the only network which had banned Cottrell, asking whether the network was facing disproportionate punishment.

Mr Watts said he called on all Australian media outlets and social media platforms to banish Cottrell.

Dutton says decision ‘absurd’

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton also attacked the decision as “absurd” and described it as a “political statement.”

Mr Dutton pointed out Sky had made a mistake and apologised.

“That you would ban the whole network is an absurdity and frankly, as I say, it’s just a political statement,” he told Melbourne radio 3AW.

“I would have thought in Victoria at the moment there are higher order priorities than the music that’s been piped at train stations across Victoria.”

Earlier Ms Allen defended her decision, saying anything broadcast on platforms “should be balanced and [shouldn’t] insight further anger.”

“I’ve long been concerned about the content and quality about what is put on those screens ... because you don’t really have a choice to anything else but watch them and see them,” Ms Allan said.

“I think I’ve got a responsibility to ensure that passengers aren’t bombarded with ... shocking content and messages.”

“If people choose to watch in their own home through their own devices ... they can absolutely do that ... but as Public Transport Minister where it’s a public asset being used to promote or televise particular content I think I’ve got a responsibility to make sure that content is appropriate and that’s why we’ve taken this decision.”

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 an outcry over his interview 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 earlier in the week.

“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.”

Ms Allan said many other companies had made the same decision to disassociate themselves from Sky News Australia.

American Express has pulled its advertising from the network, as have Specsavers and Huggies.

She also said that conversations were still going on with Metro Trains to decide what would be shown in Sky News’ absence.

When pressed about the consequence of the decision for the likes of ALP stalwarts working for network including Warren Mundine, Ms Allan said she had wanted to send a “clear message” to the network about what content was and wasn’t appropriate for broad public consumption.

“There may be some good interviews and some good programs but ultimately I have a responsibility to be mindful of what is appropriate and I take that responsibility very seriously,” Ms Allan said.

“Dozens of other companies have made have made a very similar decision to ours that they don’t want to be be associated [with the station].”

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

Additional reporting: Rachel Baxendale, Remy Varga

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/victoria-bans-sky-from-train-stations-over-blair-cottrell/news-story/f833e8772bc99adb1d216ae59e16b795