A surprise plan from Malcolm Turnbull to organise a Federal Leaders debate on Facebook has caused headaches for management at Sky News and ABCTV.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the debate yesterday. While details at this stage are limited, its believed the debate will occur next week on a News Corp managed Facebook page and broadcast using the social platforms recently launched live video streaming service.
Facebook has been striking partnerships with media companies around the world to promote its new video streaming capabilities, with Facebook believing the platform can compete with traditional broadcasters.
The Prime Minister stated that the Facebook debate would “engage a vastly wider audience than formats used before”.
The Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has agreed to participate in the News Corp/Facebook debate.
Traditionally all Australian broadcasters are offered a live feed of Federal debates, however at this stage it appears unlikely the ABC will simulcast the Facebook debate due to it being heavily branded as a NewsCorp event.
A Spokesperson for the ABC telling DeciderTV:
“We’re awaiting more details on this. When we know more about how it will work we’ll decide.”
The ABC was provided an opportunity to simulcast the Sky News People Forum last month but opted not to.
The public broadcaster is still hoping to host its own exclusive debate on the Q&A program. Bill Shorten has agreed to appear on the Monday 13th episode, and a request has been repeatedly made for Malcolm Turnbull to also appear. However it’s understood the Prime Minister is unwilling to appear on Q&A due to a belief the program provides a hostile environment for conservative politians.
The announcement of the Facebook debate coincided with Turnbull confirming he would not appear at a Sky News hosted People Forum event tonight in Brisbane. A move that angered many at the Pay-TV news channel. Tonight’s event will still go ahead with Bill Shorten as the sole participant. (Update – Malcolm Turnbull is now confirmed to be appearing tonight on 7:30 with Leigh Sales)
To suggest Sky News is trying to bully the leaders into a debate is wrong. @David_Speers explains. https://t.co/TpOYuz6x8O
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 7, 2016
Turnbull stated he believed he had been ambushed into appearing at the Sky News event telling media yesterday:
“Look, the answer is your network, your company, Sky News, announced they were inviting me and Bill Shorten to attend a debate on a particular night,” “What we’ve said is normally you would have approached us and sought to come to some arrangement.
“You chose not to do that and to issue what in effect is a decree and we’ve said ‘no’.”
Sky News has confirmed it will simulcast the NewsCorp/Facebook debate should a live feed be made available, a spokesperson telling DeciderTV that Sky News remained “committed to showing all debates on Sky News”
