ABC's Paul Barry reveals he has a ‘clear conflict of interest’

The ABC's Paul Barry made an extraordinary admission this week revealing a “clear conflict of interest,” Sky News Digital Editor Jack Houghton says.

“Crikey is a Melbourne-based news site with 11 journalists and around 25,000 subscribers, and I should declare I once worked for it and have a very small shareholding,” Mr Barry said on Monday.

Mr Houghton said the “small” holding Mr Barry described was in fact worth $150,000 when he received them.

“Over the years that stake, according to Barry himself, has dwindled to around $25,000 which, I my opinion, is hilarious,” Mr Houghton said.

“The ABC declined to comment on the clear conflict of interest Barry's financial stake in Crikey creates in media reporting, describing it as a personal issue.”

[paulslater]

It's called corrupt practice anywhere else

[loughman]

Huh!!! I wondered
why he quoted and mentioned Crickey so often!!!

[ce]

25 to 150 grand worth of shares in any company is NOT a "small amount" to be explained away by the ABC like it's a weekend hobby. Who else has got similar pecuniary interests without declaring them on the register of ?!

[markdoolan]

I agree he should have divested those shares.
He would be the first one to demand divestment or be critical of a politician that waited this long to declare a conflict of interest

[charleshillman]

Can’t sell em cos no one would buy them.

[ce]

In the public sector, you have to declare these things ASAP. People have been fired for less, as "cor up shun"...

[wongnaichungrd]

Worse still Malcolm Turnbull when with communications minister or shadow minister helping set up Guardian Australia and not declaring it publicly. I think I know why much of the press avoided the issue but I’m still shocked by it!

[allanbriggs]

He declared his interest - that's what is required. Most of us would have a conflict of interest if we have, for example, superannuation. The point is to declare that interest where there is a perceived conflict.

[oldman]

Paul Barry just spent nearly a month on overseas holiday flying in aircraft that were only fueled by unicornpiss not fossil fuels at all

[andyc]

You can feel your brain cells decaying listening to that goose.

[The_rot_consumes.]

It’s crazy how one man: Paul Barry, can anger an entire multi billion dollar news platform like Murdoch’s empire

[JCoates]

Gideon, saying that we don't need a public broadcaster whilst working in the interests of a private broadcaster is a bigger conflict of interest...

[paulkerr]

ABC and double standards - nothing new here.

[wizeoldfart]

Well it shows that Barry is no financial Wizkid.

[petersanders]

Oh dear. Sky news complaining about people having a conflict of interest. Have you had your phone call from Rupert today, telling you what to say yet mate? Self awareness obviously not a big thing at sky.

[HRPFayetteville]

No one in medoa is doing their jobs and ues if he worked there and received shares why shoukd he sell them? If I get shares in my job amd leave why woukd I sell them??? Thays stupid

[bobhebblewhite]

i am sure his abc wage has well and truly made up for this loss!

[barryatkins]

MSM vs MSM These Charades are Very very boring its not like the Govt is going to Cut off thier Propergander Arms !👊!👊!👊!

[TheRealBobSmith.]

Paul from what i can see is a real heavy drinker .

[JCoates]

Wait aren't you guys suing Crikey?