Key facts
- Leftwing commentator Hasan Piker will appear on ABC's 'Planet America' to discuss the rise of Democratic socialists.
- His appearance has drawn criticism from Australian conservatives, who question the ABC's decision to platform him.
- Piker has a large online following and is known for his strong critiques of the Democratic establishment and US foreign policy.
- He has made controversial statements, including remarks about 9/11 and Israel.
- Host John Barron defended the decision, citing Piker's relevance to the upcoming US elections.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is set to feature leftwing commentator Hasan Piker on its program 'Planet America' as US midterm elections approach. The episode is slated to focus on the "rise of Democratic socialists and the populist left," with Piker discussing his perspective on current political events.
Piker, who boasts over three million followers on Twitch and millions more across other platforms, is a prominent voice for progressive politics in the US. He is known for his daily streams covering topics such as American foreign policy, capitalism, and criticism of the Democratic establishment, often resonating with a young male demographic.
However, Piker's upcoming appearance has ignited controversy among Australian conservatives. Figures like News24 host James Morrow have voiced strong criticism, questioning the ABC's decision to platform a commentator with a history of controversial statements and challenging the use of taxpayer funds for such content. Morrow specifically questioned if the ABC was "immune to consequences" for featuring Piker.
ABC host John Barron has defended the inclusion of Piker, urging critics to watch the program before forming judgments. Barron stated that Piker is a "central figure" in the current political landscape and that interviewing him is a matter of relevance, drawing parallels to past interviews with figures like Sean Hannity and Roger Stone. Barron noted that he was prepared to discuss Piker's role in the upcoming elections, just as he would discuss the role of other political commentators.
Piker himself has expressed indifference to criticism from the right, stating, "I have no issues getting vilified by people on the right. I love when my enemies hate me." He has previously made provocative statements, including suggesting the US "deserved" the September 11 terrorist attacks and that he would "vote for Hamas over Israel every single time," though he maintains he is not antisemitic but against Zionism and Israeli policy.
This is not Piker's first appearance on the ABC. He previously spoke with Sarah Ferguson on '7.30' about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. That appearance generated 68 complaints, with viewers deeming Piker a "far-left extremist" and alleging "unsupported adverse claims" about Kirk. The ABC ombudsman, however, determined the segment did not breach editorial standards.
Concerns about the ABC's editorial choices have been amplified by recent events, such as managing director Hugh Marks' apology to Gina Rinehart following a documentary that included offensive comments about the mining billionaire. Despite the ombudsman finding no breach of policy, Marks acknowledged the segment fell "short of community expectations" and indicated a review of editorial guidance.