Metro Trains will no longer broadcast Sky News at their CBD stations.
State Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan made the announcement on Twitter this morning.
“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,” she wrote.
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
— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) August 8, 2018
The announcement came after the network received backlash regarding their interview with Blair Cottrell on Sunday night.
Former MP Craig Emerson quit his role as a commentator with the broadcaster in protest.
Cottrell was convicted of inciting contempt and ridicule of Muslims in 2017.
The interview was a one-on-one talk about immigration, hosted by former Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles.
Giving Cottrell such a platform was “another step in a journey to normalising racism & bigotry in our country,” Emerson said.
Amid immediate social media backlash, Sky News removed footage and tweets of the interview.
News Director Greg Barnes tweeted that the network was “wrong” to feature Cottrell in its Sunday 6pm timeslot.
“His views do not reflect ours. The interview has been removed from repeat timeslots and online platforms,” he wrote.
It was wrong to have Blair Cottrell on Sky News Australia. His views do not reflect ours. The interview has been removed from repeat timeslots and online platforms.
– Greg Byrnes, News Director— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) August 5, 2018
“We deeply regret featuring the interview on our channel,” Sky News Australia Chief Executive Angelo Frangopoulos said in a statement on Monday.
The controversy on Twitter has not died down, resulting in ongoing arguments and comments between Sky News presenters and Cottrell.
Photo: 638M by Hugh Llewelyn available HERE and used under a Creative Commons Attribution.