Channel Nine has dropped one of its longest-standing presenters following backlash over Karl Stefanovic’s now-deleted podcast interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Stefanovic was criticised for failing to challenge Robinson during the nearly hour-long interview, in which he praised his guest’s “courage” for “trying to stand up for what you believe is right”.

While Nine is not involved in the running of the podcast, the network confirmed it was cutting ties with the Today show host on Friday. 

How did we get here?

Stefanovic has hosted Nine’s Today show since 2005 (apart from a one-year gap in 2019). He first joined the breakfast program in 2000 as a reporter. 

In January, he launched a video podcast called The Karl Stefanovic Show.

The show’s description says it is: “Unfiltered. Unscripted. Uncensored.”

The podcast, which is independent from Nine, has featured controversial figures including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, ex-TV host and vaccine sceptic Pete Evans, and former actor/singer turned right-wing political commentator Holly Valance.

This week, Stefanovic published an interview with controversial far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has attracted attention for his anti-Islam beliefs. He has been jailed for assault, contempt of court, using someone else’s passport, and mortgage fraud.

After recent incidents of violence in the UK, Robinson has attended and encouraged anti-immigration protests.

He’s been refused entry to Australia twice, meaning Stefanovic had to travel to the UK for the interview. 

He’s not the first Australian broadcaster to interview Robinson. 

Former Nine presenter and radio host Ben Fordham spoke with him in 2017, following the deadly London Bridge terror attack. Fordham introduced Robinson on 2GB as an “anti-Islam activist”.

The Karl Stefanovic Show published its interview with Robinson on Tuesday evening.

By the following morning, the episode was gone. The promo of the podcast (in which Stefanovic calls outgoing UK PM Sir Keir Starmer a “wanker”) is still on X.

On Wednesday, Hanson shared the interview to her social media, including the full podcast on her YouTube.

She called Stefanovic her “good friend,” adding: “The weak management of Channel 9 want to sack Karl over this interview.”

A spokesperson for Nine told AAP the network “has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes [of the Karl Stefanovic Show]”.

“However, Nine is taking this matter seriously,” they said on Wednesday. 

That night, AAP reported the fallout of the podcast triggered “a full day of executive crisis talks,” including negotiations to terminate Stefanovic’s contract.

The presenter was on leave from the Today show when the episode was recorded and released. 

He was due to appear on his new radio show with Eddie McGuire on Friday, but pulled out of that appearance earlier in the week.

Stefanovic’s Today show co-host Sarah Abo confirmed Stefanovic’s departure on air on Friday.  

“Karl has, of course, woken up with Today for 21 years so we know this is a huge change... it goes without saying that Karl’s presence will be missed,” Abo said. 

Following the announcement, a Nine spokesperson said the network and Stefanovic “have agreed that it is no longer possible for him to continue hosting Today at the same time as his independent podcast.”

He will leave Nine “immediately”.

In a note to staff, Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs Fiona Dear said: “Journalists have an obligation to ask difficult questions... and hold people to account regardless of where they come from or which political party or views they represent.”

In a video message shared on his podcast’s YouTube page, Stefanovic thanked Today show viewers of 21 years for “riding the ups and downs”.

“I'm free. Truly independent... It wasn’t easy these last couple of days, but we roll on.”

Stefanovic said he believes in “different perspectives” which the public “deserves to hear”.

“Freedom of speech, here and around the world, is what this show is about. You don’t have to listen to my show, you have the power,” his statement continued.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Stefanovic’s exit from Nine as unfortunate. 

“Words do matter, and what people who are very prominent in our public discourse do, and how they conduct themselves matters as well,” he told ABC News Breakfast.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Thursday: “The last thing we need in Australia is for the temperature to be raised by people who want to spread hatred being given a louder voice.”

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