The Australian government has ended its $84 million (US$59.4 million), three-year funding freeze of the country’s two public broadcasters in the run-up to the next federal election. Communications Minister Paul Fletcher made the surprise announcement on Feb. 7, which will unlock $4.2 billion (US$2.8 billion) of extra funding until 2025. Fletcher, however, cautioned the Australian…

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended a Senate inquiry into the complaints handling processes of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), after allegations against the government of “political interference.” Morrison said the ABC is a government agency funded by taxpayers and is not “above … scrutiny.” He rejected ABC Chair Ita Buttrose’s earlier allegation that…