The ABC has come under fire for not airing the Queen’s speech as other Australian broadcasters showed it live.
Viewers tuned into the national broadcaster at 5am local time on Monday hoping to see the 93-year-old monarch’s historic speech to Britain and the Commonwealth addressing the coronavirus pandemic aired live around the world.
Disappointed Australians were shocked to find Insiders on ABC’s main channel and Landline on the news channel.
Channel Nine Today Show and Seven’s Sunrise began five minutes earlier than usual while 10 Daily interrupted normal programming to accommodate the Queen’s prerecorded address.
Other than her annual address at Christmas, it was the fifth time the monarch has given such a speech in her 68-year reign.
Outspoken entertainment reporter Peter Ford led the furious outrage over the ABC snub.
The Queen made a rare and historic address to the Commonwealth, which aired on most free to air Australian channels on Monday morning
‘ABC TV didn’t show the Queen’s address live. How can that be justified? It’s not about ‘promoting’ royalty -it’s about reporting an historic moment as it happened. Perhaps it also brings comfort & calm to some. They should be made to justify that decision,’ Ford tweeted.
His views sparked a divided reaction but had support from high profile personalities.
‘This, more than anything demonstrates how the ABC is not fulfilling its charter. When will Scott Morrison day enough is enough?,’ television commentator Prue MacSween tweeted.
Sunrise executive producer Michael Pell added: ‘Of course it should have been broadcast on the national broadcaster. She is our head of state. The fact ABC did not is inexcusable. Luckily for viewers, the commercial networks did the right thing.’
ABC viewers were disappointed to tune into Insiders (pictured) instead of the Queen’s speech
An ABC spokeswoman said the Queen’s address was broadcast live on all of its radio platforms.
It was also played on both channel when ABC began its breakfast television programming an hour later.
‘ABC NewsRadio started its Breakfast Show half an hour earlier to accommodate the 5am live broadcast, with crosses to European Correspondent Linton Besser,’ the spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Subsequently the message was covered on AM, Local and Regional Radio Breakfast programs and ABC News Breakfast, as well as in regular ABC News bulletins, and is available in full on our digital site.’
‘The message will be re-broadcast in full on the ABC TV main channel at 6.55pm to ensure the widest possible prime-time audience is able to see it.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford led the outrage over the snub
Mr Ford continued his rant on breakfast radio, describing the snub as ‘completely inexcusable’ and called for the ABC to be held to account.
‘This is not about promoting royalty, it was a historic moment, the fourth time ever that she’s done something like this,’ he told 3AW listeners in Melbourne.
‘There’s no other world leader that has her experience, and I think she very subtly wanted to remind people of that by calling upon the fact that it was 80 years ago from that same castle that she did her very first address.’
‘The ABC should hang their heads in shame and Ita Buttrose (ABC chairwoman) ought to get onto them with a big cane.’
The Australian Monarchist League got an inkling prior to Monday that the ABC ‘is purposefully not broadcasting the message’ and established an online petition which didn’t change the broadcaster’s mind,
Peter Ford described the ABC snub on breakfast radio as ‘completely inexcusable’
In her prerecorded address from Windsor Castle, the Queen urged the public to remain ‘united and resolute’ in the fight against COVID-19.
Following her speech, Her Majesty addressed Australians in a separate message delivered by Governor-General David Hurley in which she praised them for staying strong in the grip of the health crisis that has come on the heels of a devastating bushfire season.
‘At a time when people across the Commonwealth are experiencing a profound and rapid change to their lives, the pain of lost loved ones, and an understandable concern about the future, my thoughts are with all Australians,’ she said.
‘Whilst it can be difficult to remain hopeful in such challenging times, especially following the summer’s devastating bushfires and recent flooding, I am confident that the stoic and resilient nature of the Australian people will rise to the challenge.
‘I extend my sincere admiration to the many Australians who work tirelessly to help those affected, provide essential services for their fellow citizens, and continue to care for the most vulnerable.
‘You will remain in my prayers in the coming months, with the resolute knowledge that with hard work, faith and unity, we will rise to the challenges ahead and ensure the health and vitality of all Australia’s communities.’