Senator urges ownership debate after Smyth ‘de facto sacking’

A GOVERNMENT senator has called for a debate on media ownership following what he termed the “de facto sacking” of journalist Sam Smyth from Today FM.

Labour Senator John Whelan said press freedom and fair comment were fundamental values of democracy.

“Fair comment in the public interest is a pillar of a real republic. I was shocked to learn at the weekend of the de facto sacking from Today FM of the prominent press man, Sam Smyth,” he said.