We are simply witnessing another round of the Murdoch bid to close down the ABC, to make more room for his commercial entities.

In this instance, he is using The Australian as a proxy, and finding any and every opportunity to slag it. Not a day goes past without his local organ firing off a couple of shots - all in the interests, of course, of "fairness" and "balance".

The sad thing is, the ABC is so often its own worst enemy, and tries to fight against the mindless Borg of commercial interests by brandishing a bunch of limp wet lettuce.

There is of course much to be said for taking this form of bullying aggression head-on. But lining up eight lawyers to plead your case is a sign of not only weakness, but of appalling managerial judgment.

When money finally talks, as it undoubtedly will, we will find out the hard way that a diet of constant self-serving propaganda is not necessarily any better than an organization that - nominally, at least - is there to serve the public rather than shareholders.

Yes I agree that this sketch situation has gotten way out of hand.
I didn't think it was particularly funny, but neither would I take offence to it.

"The Life Of Brian" was an absolute scream :)
As a good little Catholic teenager starting to question the validity of all that rubbish the nuns drummed into me, I was delighted to see that movie.

I still laugh when I think of that scene with all the Romans trying not to laugh when talking about Biggus Dickus and his wife Incontinentia!

Pericles,

"We are simply witnessing another round of the Murdoch bid to close down the ABC, to make more room for his commercial entities."

Well, yes indeedy.

Was mildly amused yesterday to read on the ABC News website an article on Ric Santorum praising Tony Abbott...straight from Fox News

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-10/us-republican-praises-tony-abbott/5309338

The ABC trying to appear "fair and balanced" seems to have developed a stagger to the right...under the circumstances.

"...disgusting, just how low can you get?"

"About, a Pomeranian."

But seriously folks... Judicial relief being sought left and right, but what is really upsetting is that at the end of the process no-one cares for the feelings of the dog which was so maligned in the sketch and is muzzled with no right of free speech.

Dr Chris Brown should see if William Shatner is available to reprise Denny Crane for a spin-off series... Bondi Legal.

Suzieonline;
Would you have taken offense if your face had been put on the dog ?

The OP didn't link to the subject Q&A program and it was silent on the unanimity (Tony Jones) of panel members, expressed by Marcia Langton, professor of indigenous studies, that the ABC should apologise unreservedly and not waste public money on the defence. Another panel member noted that the ABC had nine lawyers at its court hearing. The ABC must have money to burn.

It is about defamation law. Trying to draw a false comparison with The Life of Brian is only a diversion.

Justice Beech-Jones said that the Chaser's attack was 'grossly disproportionate' and it could cause people to conclude Kenny was a 'low, contemptible and disgusting person'.

It is a very great pity that the money being wasted by the ABC -in lieu of a simple apology at the start- isn't being made available to fix any of the one lane bridges on Australia's national highway that regularly claim lives.

It might be 'your' ABC, but surely it can find better ways to spend that cool $Billion p.a. it sucks from the public teat.