The executive producer of ABC’s renowned investigative program Four Corners, Matthew Carney, has announced his resignation following the airing of the show’s final episode for 2025. This decision comes just two weeks after the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) initiated an investigation into one of the program’s reporters, Mahmood Fazal, who co-launched a podcast funded by an online cryptocurrency casino.
Carney, who has been at the helm of Four Corners since May 2022, will remain in his role until a successor is appointed. Despite the timing, the ABC has stated that Carney’s departure is unrelated to the ongoing investigation. However, the resignation occurs during a period of heightened scrutiny for the program.
Background and Investigation Details
In mid-October, it was disclosed that Carney initially approved Fazal’s participation in the Word on the Street podcast. However, he later withdrew his support upon discovering the podcast’s association with gambling advertising. ABC’s News Director, Justin Stevens, informed staff that Carney would be leaving the corporation in the coming months but would continue with the program until a replacement is found.
The final episode of Four Corners for the year, presented by reporter Angus Grigg, examined Australia’s trade relations with China and the United States, drawing an average national audience of 575,000. Carney, a three-time Walkley Award winner, joined ABC in 1995 and has previously served as executive producer of Foreign Correspondent and as the China bureau chief.
Four Corners: A Legacy Under Pressure
Four Corners holds the distinction of being the longest-running program in Australian television history, having first aired in 1961. It remains one of the ABC’s most significant offerings and is among the few remaining in-depth investigative news programs globally. Despite this legacy, the program has faced challenges, with a slight dip in its average audience from 936,000 to 929,000 in the 2024-25 financial year, as reported in the ABC’s annual report. In contrast, other ABC programs like 7.30 and Foreign Correspondent saw audience growth.
ABC’s annual report highlighted a 2% increase in average nightly news bulletin ratings, while Four Corners experienced a slight decline.
Last month, the ABC clarified that Fazal’s podcast involvement did not receive final approval under its external work guidelines. The broadcaster retracted its support after the first episode aired, featuring gambling ads for the online crypto casino Vegastars.
Controversy and Legal Proceedings
The controversy surrounding Fazal escalated when his podcast co-host, Ryan Naumenko, a figure with ties to the Victorian underworld, alleged that Fazal had not disclosed his compensation to the ABC and had requested cash payments. Media Watch published text exchanges between Fazal and Naumenko, showing Fazal requesting direct transfers to his account. Naumenko claimed to have paid Fazal a total of $13,000.
Fazal’s lawyer, Rebekah Giles, stated that the funds were meant to pay production crew members. However, Naumenko provided evidence of direct payments to the crew, contradicting Fazal’s claims. The situation further intensified with the revelation of encrypted messages between Fazal and Naumenko, some of which Fazal alleged were fabricated. These included a message where Fazal purportedly expressed a desire to harm YouTuber Jordan Shanks, known as FriendlyJordies.
“After the interview aired, which included gambling ads, his manager withdrew endorsement of the work. ABC management is looking further into this matter,” an ABC spokesperson stated.
In 2024, Fazal was accused of conveying threats to Shanks and his producer, Kristo Langker, regarding a video about the Alameddine crime family. Following these allegations, Carney and the Four Corners team publicly supported Fazal, who denied the claims.
Looking Ahead
The ABC has engaged an external legal firm to assist in the investigation into Fazal’s conduct, according to a source familiar with the matter. The broadcaster has declined to comment further on the investigation. The unfolding situation raises questions about the future direction of Four Corners and the broader implications for investigative journalism at the ABC.
As the ABC navigates these challenges, the network’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and reputation of its flagship programs remains a priority. The appointment of a new executive producer for Four Corners will be closely watched as the program continues to adapt to the evolving media landscape.
