Holmes in a flap

Not so long ago, Jonathan Holmes compered one of the ABC’s marquee TV shows, handing down his weekly pronouncements on the worth or otherwise of journalism done by others. The sort of mind that does well at the national broadcaster, he has this to say in today’s editions of the Fairfax press, which these days will publish just about anything.

“Zaky Mallah never joined IS but, more than a decade ago, he was a radicalised would-be terrorist. He has since become an ally – or a potential ally – in the fight against IS. But he’s condemned because of his record and the ABC is excoriated for daring to give him a voice.”

Yes, the ABC gave Mallah a voice … and a free ride to and from the studio … plus a pre-show briefing with producer Peter McEvoy … plus a little help editing his question into sound byte-worthy shape.

And why did Q&A do all that?

So that the Weird Beard from Central Casting could leap out of the woodwork and wallop the sole conservative on the panel with a left-field sand-bagging.

Holmes doesn’t think the set-up worth mentioning. Holmes doesn’t grasp that, while Mallah doesn’t like ISIS, his preferred version of Islam is hardly less repugnant to all who value the Western traditions of free speech, free thought and individual autonomy. Holmes has missed, or chosen to ignore, Mallah’s call that two female journalists be bent over a TV set desk and raped on national TV. The convicted criminal, says Holmes, is “an ally.”

No longer on the taxpayer teat, the former Media Watch host yet serves a purpose in reminding us what sort of an organisation he served and left behind.

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