The ABC has parted ways with Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal following an investigation into his involvement in a podcast sponsored by an online casino. Managing director Hugh Marks confirmed to Senate estimates on Thursday that Fazal's employment had been terminated.
Fazal, a former bikie and Walkley award-winning journalist, appeared in an external podcast about underworld crime last year. The ABC initially approved his participation, but the approval was withdrawn after the first episode featured gambling advertisements.
Marks declined to provide details of the investigation but stated that the findings led to Fazal no longer being paid by the ABC. He emphasised that the probe did not relate to Fazal's past involvement with organised crime.
Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson criticised the ABC's decision to hire Fazal, claiming it breached standards. Marks defended the hiring, saying the aim was to gain deeper insight into areas of societal interest, and noted that some good stories had been produced.
Fazal's lawyer, Rebekah Giles, stated that he had agreed to the interview believing he had his manager's approval. Fazal's last Four Corners episode, on the sovereign citizen movement, aired in August.
