Resumption of Australia’s Senate media diversity inquiry has been delayed by a pandemic lockdown in Canberra.
The inquiry was to have continued hearings today, with Sky News’ panelists, its chief Paul Whittaker, former prime minister Kevin Rudd, and ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin expected to front.
Part of the purpose was to have been to probe YouTube’s ban and removal of some Sky content. Personalities Alan Jones, Rowan Dean and Rita Panahi were to have appeared, and O’Loughlin, her deputy Creina Chapman and general manager Cathy Rainsford were to have appeared after committee chair Sarah Hanson-Young asked why the regulator had not taken any action over the affair.
Sky News was reported to have deleted 31 videos from its YouTube page, some of which questioned responses to the pandemic or promoted unproven treatments.
A new date has yet to be announced for resumption of the inquiry.