The future of Catalyst, the controversial ABC science program, is hanging in the balance amid reports the show's current format is to be axed and 11 staff made redundant.
The ABC has refused to comment on a Guardian report that Catalyst will lose its weekly slot and move to outsourced production, meaning 11 staff including its suspended reporter Maryanne Demasi could lose their jobs.
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However, Media Watch, after posting a link to the report on Twitter, followed up by stating that ABC sources said the program will still be produced in-house and any reports of job losses were not true.
Update: ABC sources telling #mediawatch that Catalyst will still be produced in-house in 2017 and not true that 11 staff will go. https://t.co/Znh4etejNB
— Media Watch (@ABCmediawatch) October 31, 2016
An ABC spokesman said Catalyst would remain part of its schedule for 2017, but the current format was under review.
"The ABC can confirm Catalyst will be part of the ABC schedule in 2017 and acknowledges the importance of the program for the scientific community and audiences in general," he said.
"The ABC consistently reviews programs at the end of each year to ensure it maintains its commitment to audience needs and expectations.
"After more than 15 years, ABC Television is reviewing Catalyst's format and production model. ABC management will respond to that review in due course."
![Controversy: <em>Catalyst </em>reporter Maryanne Demasi.](/web/20161103061018im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/w/d/p/u/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsemop.png/1477907517468.jpg)
The Guardian said the show's weekly format would be replaced by 17 one-hour specials mainly by production companies outside the ABC.
The review comes after an ABC review in July of a Catalyst report on the potential health risks of Wi-Fi found that it breached its editorial standards. Demasi, the reporter behind the episode Wi-Fried, was suspended and the show removed from the Catalyst website and ABC iView.
It also followed a previous incident in 2013 when a report, again fronted by Demasi about cholesterol-reducing medication, was also found to have breached editorial standards.