Over a year ago I wrote that ABC TV current affairs was in trouble and drifting badly.

The people, policies and practices causing the decline in standards inside ABC TV — and the absence of proper current affairs journalism — appear to have got worse.  Much worse. 

With the easily observed decline in television current affairs standards has been a commensurate rise in the arrogant demeanour of presenters and their guests.

Nothing says ‘end of the line’ for current affairs TV quite so much as the absurdly stilted nightly panel talk showThe Drum.