Former ABC Chairman Justin Milne concerned over the level of bias

Former ABC Chairman Justin Milne has revealed internal concerns about the level of bias at the public broadcaster, particularly during the 2019 federal election.

In an opinion piece for The Australian, Milne writes that he raised concerns with ABC management about the "increasingly partisan" nature of the ABC's coverage during the election campaign.

Milne's concerns

Milne says he was particularly concerned about the ABC's coverage of the Coalition and Labor parties, arguing that the ABC was "more critical of the Coalition than Labor."

He also raises concerns about the ABC's use of social media, saying that the ABC was "too quick to amplify the voices of those who were already critical of the Coalition."

ABC's response

The ABC has rejected Milne's claims, saying that its coverage of the 2019 election was "fair and impartial."

In a statement, the ABC said that it "stands by its journalism and the professionalism of its staff."

Public perception of bias

Milne's comments come amid growing public concern about bias in the media.

A recent survey by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that 61% of Australians believe that the media is biased.

The ACMA survey also found that the ABC was the most trusted news source in Australia, but that trust has been declining in recent years.

Milne's legacy

Milne was the chairman of the ABC from 2017 to 2020. He is a former journalist and media executive.

During his time as chairman, Milne was a controversial figure. He was criticized by some for being too close to the government, and by others for not being supportive enough of the ABC's independence.

The future of the ABC

The ABC is facing a number of challenges, including declining funding, competition from commercial media, and public concerns about bias.

The ABC's future will depend on its ability to address these challenges and maintain the trust of the Australian public.