Stefanovic faces growing fallout from controversial interview
ARN Media has reportedly dropped Karl Stefanovic from the radio show he co-hosts on the Gold network after his controversial interview with a right-wing conservative figure on his independent podcast.
Stefanovic had a hosting stint with Eddie McGuire in the three-hour show The Long Weekend on the Gold network, which just launched in June.
But sources told the Australian Financial Review that ARN, which owns and operates the network, decided to end the relationship with Stefanovic.
According to the AFR report, the contract had been worth about $200,000 for the rest of the year. McGuire will continue as a host, with the programme to be reframed around him.
Stefanovic's controversial interview
ARN's move reflects the growing fallout stemming from Stefanovic's controversial interview with right-wing figure Tommy Robinson on his independent podcast.
In the interview, Stefanovic drew criticism for praising Robinson's "tenacity" and "courage," and for failing to challenge his anti-immigration and anti-Islam positions.
ARN previously distanced itself from Stefanovic's podcast following the interview.
"His external media activities, including his podcast, are undertaken in a personal capacity and are entirely separate from the network," a spokesperson previously said.
Nine Entertainment has also reportedly cut ties with Stefanovic following the interview, which has been deleted on the podcaster's official accounts.
Stefanovic has been with Nine for more than two decades, and had recently renegotiated his contract to allow him to launch the podcast.
Despite the editorial independence granted, the contract reportedly has a clause that will prevent Stefanovic from bringing Nine into disrepute.
Nine also distanced itself from Stefanovic's podcast, stressing that the show is an independent production.
"Nine has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes," a spokesperson from Nine previously said.
