Phillip Adams, presenter of Radio National's Late Night Live, has been reported as saying that he expects to be dismissed because of his political views. He is reported as saying that ABC Chairman Donald McDonald wants him out of the ABC.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2000

Answers

Phillip Adams can't be sacked - he is a National Treasure.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2000

Following Phillip Adams claims that he was about to be sacked, the press reported that the ABC had 'categorically denied' that he was to lose his job. The Sydney Morning Herald (11/07/00) said that the "ABC heirachy was quick to reject Adams's claims as nonsense. A spokesman for the ABC's managing director, Mr Jonathon Shier, issued a categorical denial that Adams was about to be sacked or that the board had considered it"

Adams responded to this statement by saying that he believed that the origan plan was to sack him immediatly and pay him out for the remainder of his contract. He now believed the official denial was merely a reprieve that meant that he would not be rehired when his 12 month contract expired at the end of the year.

This view has been lent credence by a letter to a member of Friends of the ABC from the ABC's Chairman, Donald McDonald.

The letter says, in part:

"I have been overseas during the recent media coverage to which you appear to be responding. On inquiry, I have been advised that although there have been recent discussions between radio management and Philip Adams about alternative formats and timeslots, no alterations to the existing Radio National schedule have in fact been proposed. I am also advised that it remains the case that program formats and timeslots are under the constant attention of radio and television management."

The last sentence is very significant. I take it that McDonald is saying that no changes to Late Night Live have been proposed - yet. However this program format and timeslot, along with many others, is under review. If there were to be a change, normal ABC practice would be to announce this during the summer 'silly season' when peoples minds are on other things.

-- Anonymous, July 31, 2000

I have done twenty thousands miles ten years ago not because I was crazy about barbeques or cricket bats for that matter, and I have nothing against those two respectable activities. I see no difference between countries ruled by automatic guns the country I fled and a so- called democracy cunningly set up to paralyze any entity that disagrees with it. I have witnessed the arrests and executions of many of my close friends (journalists) systematically eliminated. The very same thing is happening around here in a more civilized way, settle and willful, on the name of the free market the natural (human) selection, bulldozing everything on it’s way. The myth, the flesh, and poetry of a nation are not its cricket bat but its Philips Adams where ever they are.

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2000

This episode reveals how precious the self-styled leader Australia's 'intellectual left'can be. Beneath the urbane and free thinking exterior lurks a sadly deperate individual. Adams obviously saw advantage in making these allegations-of which there is no proof other than his words. So if management decide to make a change then there must be a conspiracy? I love Adams' show, the quality of his guests and his interviewing style. But I'm sick of armchair anarchists who always assume they occupy the moral high ground. If I want to hear mindless railing against capitalism and America then I can get that from any second year arts student. The cause of injustice in the world are never as simple as Adams makes out. The 'intellectual left' never makes a difference and it doesn't have the answers.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2001