Channel 7 News in Melbourne has been called out by members of the media industry, a former government minister, and the Aussie public for an interview with the leader of a far-right group.
According to Channel 7, reporter Jodi Lee was granted exclusive access to a secret meeting organised by right-wing activists in response to Melbourne’s African youth crime crisis.
Her TV package included an interview with Blair Cottrell, leader of the United Patriots Front, who has previously boasted about being a racist and a fan of Adolf Hitler.
Cottrell has also admitted to being jailed for a number of offences, including stalking, burglary and arson.
However, 7 News Melbourne failed to mention any of these shocking details in the report, which has been labelled “offensive” and a “Nazi PR disaster”, while Seven has been accused of promoting racism to boost ratings.
Has @Channel7 responded to their Nazi PR disaster yet?
Or are they too busy re-casting #DoctorBlake ?— Andrew Mercado (@andrewmercado) January 15, 2018
Hey @7NewsMelbourne did you broadcast the expert local opinion of a guy who says Jews are parasites? Good job. Great newsing. Or…maybe…Get your shit together. https://t.co/mJPxieuqZp
— Charlie Pickering (@charliepick) January 14, 2018
@deemadigan @JoshBBornstein Thanks #Channel7 I’ve updated your logo to reflect the networks new positioning. #auspol #sackdutton pic.twitter.com/7HxFbFmnr0
— Harvey Mushman (@GreenCap13) January 15, 2018
— Contessa JenRed :) (@JustJen64) January 15, 2018
So @7NewsMelbourne is defending its exclusive coverage of a meeting with neo-nazis who’ve described Jewish people as parasites & argued that every school should display a picture of Hitler. I’m exercising my right to criticise that story. https://t.co/B2zU1BV55o
— Craig Emerson (@DrCraigEmerson) January 15, 2018
