Sky News admits right-wing activist’s appearance “was wrong”
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has criticised Sky News Australia’s news director for the station’s green-lighting an interview with a far-right racist who once advocated for images of Hitler being displayed in schools.
Blair Cottrell, the former leader of anti-immigration group United Patriots Front, was interviewed by former chief minister of the Northern territory Adam Giles on Sky.
Cottrell has been convicted in inciting contempt against Muslims.
Many members of the Australian media criticised the station including members of its own news team resulting a tweet being posted by news director Greg Byrnes admitting that Bottrell’s appearance was a mistake. He announced the was removed.
Blair Cottrell YouTube
Co-CEO of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry Peter Wertheim told J-Wire: “Blair Cottrell’s idea of national pride must be fragile indeed if it can only be sustained off the back of fear, hatred and prejudice against other people of different backgrounds. Cottrell has said that there should be a portrait of Hitler on display in every classroom and that Hitler’s rantings in Mein Kampf should be presented to every student.
Aussie Diggers who fought and died to stop Hitler’s tyranny would be turning over in their graves at Cottrell’s grovelling admiration of their enemy, and at the mainstreaming of Cottrell’s prejudices by his appearance on Sky. Sky has debased its brand by giving Cottrell its platform to spout his bigotry. Sky’s News Director Greg Byrnes was right to acknowledge that Cottrell should not have appeared on Sky, but Byrnes should have gone on to make a full and unreserved apology.”
Another reason why I watch our Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) rather that Sky and all the other rubbish websites and TV stations here in Australia and overseas, particularly in the USA.