War of words erupts between media heavyweights David Koch and Barrie Cassidy after former Insiders host slams Sunrise for his softball interview with Scott Morrison
David ‘Kochie’ Koch responded to Barrie Cassidy’s attack during his meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Former Insiders host, 71, tweeted that Sunrise co-host, 65, “clearly has no idea how ICAC works” in response to Koch’s interview with Mr Morrison , in which the prime minister bluntly criticized Koch’s anti-corruption agency. .
However, Koch applauded, telling The Australian that Cassidy’s comments showed “a sense of superiority” on the part of the ABC reporter.
Combat Journo: David ‘Kochie’ Koch (left) responded to the attack by Barrie Cassidy (right) during his interview with Prime Minister Scott Morrison
During his interview with Morrison last Tuesday, Koch asked the Prime Minister: “Should the ICAC be reformed?”
The question allowed Morrison to offload the Commission, shortly after claiming the scalp of popular Liberal Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian.
“There are millions of people who have seen what happened to Gladys Berejiklian and will understand that this is a very good call not to follow (the ICAC model).”
He also suggested that the ICAC not presume the innocence of those it is investigating, a point strongly contested by Cassidy.
Softball lob: During Koch’s interview with Morrison (pictured this month), the PM criticized the ICAC apparently without any reluctance from Koch
He tweeted: “David Koch obviously has no idea how the ICAC works, but the Prime Minister knows how the media works.”
“If you want to spread false claims that the ICAC takes guilt before innocence and not be arrested, call Sunrise,” the veteran journalist concluded.
However, Koch retaliated by saying that he and Cassidy were just trying to “appeal to completely different audiences.”
“It shows a feeling of superiority which does not include everyone’s role in the media,” he told the newspaper.
Hot take: “If you want to spread false claims that the ICAC takes guilt before innocence and not be arrested, call Sunrise,” veteran journalist concluded.
The state’s corruption watchdog revealed last month that Ms Berejiklian was under investigation for potential breaches of public trust during her secret five-year relationship with the former MP for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire.
The revelation led Berejiklian to quickly announce on October 1 that she would be stepping down from the top post in the state.
Following his resignation, Dominic Perrottet, of the Conservative faction of the Liberal Party, went on to defeat Rob Stokes 39-5 in the village hall ballot last Tuesday to become NSW’s youngest premier, with Stuart Ayres as deputy.
Missing girl: The state corruption watchdog revealed last month that Ms Berejiklian was under investigation for potential breaches of public trust. Gladys Berejiklian (L) pictured here in July
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