Now-former TV host Karl Stefanovic has stood by his decision to interview British influencer and activist Tommy Robinson after being dropped by media giant Nine Entertainment.
The hour-long video was posted to Stefanovic’s personal YouTube series where he has interviewed major right- or conservative-leaning figures.
It had been uploaded to platforms like YouTube and Spotify on June 23, but by June 24, the interview was removed.
“I didn’t get the chance to thank my free-to-air audience for 21 great years,” he said.
“So, thank you for riding the ups and downs. You have my thanks, and you have all of my love.
Stefanovic thanked his followers for messages sent to him over the past couple of days as speculation mounted around his axing from Nine Entertainment.
“So, on my show, I’ve spoken to people who have different perspectives. I know that winds some people up. Sometimes I agree with everything that gets said, sometimes I don’t,” he said.
“But importantly, you get to make up your mind. You have the right to hear from different voices. Freedom of speech here and around the world is what this show is about.”
Stefanovic said no one had to listen to his show, and anyone who did could make their own call on the opinions expressed.
“You are smart enough to make up your own mind,” he said.
“I want to thank our sponsors who stood by us, who believe in the freedom of speech that we’re talking about, who are proud to stand by us, to stand by you.”
Robinson has organised rallies in support of British patriotism, against Islamic extremism, transgenders in women’s spaces, and high migration.
The media giant confirmed on June 26 that Stefanovic had been let go.
“Nine Entertainment and Karl Stefanovic have agreed that it is no longer possible for him to continue hosting Today at the same time as his independent podcast,” a Nine spokesperson said, in a statement to AAP.
“While Karl and Nine had previously agreed he would leave Today at the end of this year, they have subsequently decided he will leave the network immediately.”
In a note to staff, Nine’s news and current affairs executive director, Fiona Dear, said protecting freedom of speech is at the core of 9News and Current Affairs.
“We have a rich history of interviewing controversial figures, and journalists have an obligation to ask difficult questions,” she said in the internal note.
“Part of what makes us tick is trying to understand why people are the way they are, or think the way they think.
“We welcome open debate and challenging norms with constructive, balanced arguments.”
Response to Decision
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the decision was up to Channel Nine.“But words do matter, and what people who are very prominent in our public discourse do, how they conduct themselves matters as well,” he told ABC.
Albanese said it was unfortunate that Stefanovic’s career at Nine concluded this way.
“But that’s a matter for Karl Stefanovic to think about his actions and the decisions that he’s made. And Nine have made a consequential decision.”
“But the good news is that, unlike in previous eras, people can’t be silenced now. Karl will just get bigger and more people will be able to access unfiltered views absent the controls that have stifled debate for too long,” he said.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson joked on Sky News that she had a job offer available for him.
“Hey, guess what Karl, I’m looking for someone in my office. I want some advisors in my office, so Karl, come and apply for a job with me,” Hanson said.
“We‘ll have a great time, we will put them all on notice and we’ll get the country back on track, mate.”
Robinson had praised Hanson during Stefanovic’s podcast episode, talking about how she had shared similar struggles as him when speaking on conservative matters in the UK.
“I’ve watched her for years, she spoke up for me. She’s one of the only people that spoke up for me from that side of the world. And I respect her,” Robinson said of Hanson.
