ABC broadcaster Jon Faine has rejected a management decision to apologise for a heated interview he conducted on-air with a protagonist in the Australian Workers Union slush fund scandal that has dogged Julia Gillard.
In responding to public complaints about the November 23 interview with former 2UE presenter Michael Smith, the ABC ruled that Faine had demonstrated a "lapse in standards" and the matter would be reported to the board, while Faine had been "reminded of his obligation to gather and present news and information content with due impartiality".
