Federal election 2010
Nine boss apologises after Mark Latham's Julia Gillard interview 'lacked proper respect'
- From: AAP
- August 08, 2010
![pn LATHAM-GILLARD FACE](http://web.archive.org./web/20100811173214im_/http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2010/08/07/1225902/495509-pn-latham-gillard-face.jpg)
Former Labor leader Mark Latham's journalism career may be short-lived after his interview with Prime Minister Julia Gillard / AAP Source: PerthNow
- Latham reporting for 60 Minutes
- Approach "lacked proper respect"
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THE Nine Network has apologised to Prime Minister Julia Gillard over her treatment by former Labor leader-turned-journalist Mark Latham on assignment for its flagship current affairs program.
Nine Network CEO David Gyngell told AAP last night he had personally apologised to Ms Gillard for the approach by Mr Latham while she was campaigning in Brisbane.
Mr Gyngell said the approach lacked proper respect.
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After seeing the vision of Mr Latham's questioning of the Prime Minister while representing the 60 Minutes program, the network boss said he believed the conduct of the interview was inappropriate.
"I'm all for freedom of speech and robust scrutiny of our public figures, but my strong view of today's exchange is that it crossed the line," he said.
"The Prime Minister of Australia, whomever that might be and whatever their political stripe, deserves to be treated with a due level of respect.
"I think that was missing today."
Mr Gyngell said he had made his opinion "clearly understood" at 60 Minutes and had apologised to Ms Gillard on behalf of the network.
The confrontation occurred as Ms Gillard was doing the rounds and meeting patrons at Brisbane's Ekka show yesterday.
Mr Latham, who is producing a segment for 60 Minutes, asked why Labor had complained to the network about his presence.
A smiling Ms Gillard responded: "I don't know anything about that, Mark."
"If you want to work for Channel Nine, that's a matter for you."
Mr Latham then suggested Ms Gillard, his one-time Labor ally, should speak out against former prime minister Kevin Rudd for trying to sabotage her campaign.
"Have a dig at him," he told her.
But Ms Gillard merely laughed and wished Mr Latham well with his journalistic endeavours.
An ALP spokesman later denied the party had made any complaint to the Nine Network.
A Nine spokesman said a decision about the footage, including if and when it will go to air, had not yet been made.
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