Karl Stefanovic has been dismissed from his role as host of Channel Nine's Today show following backlash over a podcast interview with far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The decision was reportedly made to appease advertisers and came after eleventh-hour crisis talks.
A petition titled 'Save Karl!' has been launched on the Revive Australia website, garnering thousands of signatures. The petition calls for respect for Stefanovic's right to conduct interviews and engage with controversial figures, asserting that Australian viewers are capable of forming their own judgments. It also urges rejection of activist-led campaigns that penalize media figures and advocates for a media environment where difficult conversations can occur openly.
The interview, which was published on Stefanovic's independent podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, on Tuesday, was removed from platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube the following morning. Robinson, a British far-right activist, has a criminal record that includes convictions for violence, public order offenses, and contempt of court.
Channel Nine stated that Stefanovic's podcast is an independent production with no affiliation to the network, but acknowledged that the matter was being treated seriously. The Sydney Morning Herald confirmed Stefanovic's departure on Wednesday evening, noting the network's desire to part ways with the presenter.
Stefanovic, who has been a fixture at Nine for approximately 25 years, is currently on a two-week leave in London. He has reportedly six months remaining on his current 12-month contract, with a value exceeding $1 million. Both Stefanovic and Channel Nine are expected to involve legal counsel to formalize the terms of his exit.
Activist group Mad F nking Witches (MFW) had announced a campaign against Stefanovic for the interview, known for organizing advertising boycotts. Pauline Hanson, a political figure, has publicly supported Stefanovic, uploading his pulled interview to her own YouTube channel and criticizing Channel Nine's handling of the situation. Hanson argued that Stefanovic was raising important issues regarding immigration and extremism that Australians need to consider.
Stefanovic has previously interviewed various right-wing personalities on his podcast, launched in January, including political figures like Pauline Hanson, Barnaby Joyce, Sean Bell, former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, and Coalition members Alex Antic, Matt Canavan, and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.