Nine Entertainment is expected to part ways with Karl Stefanovic, Channel Nine’s highest-paid presenter, following his interview and embrace of UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson on his independent podcast. The network’s executives held crisis meetings on Wednesday to discuss Stefanovic’s future, amid fears that advertisers could be targeted by online activists unhappy with his roster of right-wing guests.
The Sydney Morning Herald, part of the Nine stable, reported late on Wednesday that Stefanovic would leave the company. Nine has declined to comment. Stefanovic, who took two weeks’ leave from the Today show to record podcasts in the UK, filmed himself walking down a London street with his arm around Robinson, who has spearheaded recent nationalist demonstrations in the UK.
By Wednesday morning, the Robinson interview had been removed from YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and the promotional clip was deleted from Stefanovic’s Instagram account. Nine initially distanced itself from the podcast, stating it was an independent production, but later said it was “taking this matter seriously”. The network has no involvement in guest selection or editorial processes for the show.
Stefanovic was nominated on Monday for a Logie award for most popular news or public affairs presenter. Guardian Australia understands shareholders have expressed displeasure to the company, where Stefanovic is paid $2.8 million annually. Many of Nine’s journalists are concerned about the reputation of its mastheads, including the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, and there has been “widespread gnashing of teeth” over the friendly treatment of Robinson.
In the now-deleted Instagram clip, Stefanovic places his arm around Robinson and the caption says: “What happens when speaking your mind comes at a cost? Now live on the show, Tommy Robinson shares his story, chatting all about free speech, censorship, immigration and the direction he believes Britain should be heading in.” In the video, Robinson asks Stefanovic: “Keir Starmer is a … ?” Stefanovic replies: “Wanker,” as the pair laugh.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson defended Stefanovic, claiming Nine was “trying to sack my good friend Karl Stefanovic for this video with Tommy Robinson”. Independent MP Sophie Scamps criticised the association, noting that even Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had distanced himself from Robinson. Stefanovic has not addressed the removal of the interview but announced upcoming interviews with One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, right-wing activist Holly Valance and Dr Aseem Malhorta, who claims Shane Warne’s death was linked to the Covid vaccine.
