Star ABC investigative journalist Louise Milligan has revealed the staggering number of legal threats she has received ahead of a Four Corners program on a prestigious Sydney boys school.
The public broadcaster’s flagship journalism program is hours away from airing an episode on Cranbrook School, an elite private school in the city’s east which charges upwards of $30,000 per year for tuition.
People in the promos for the episode can be heard describing it as a “boy’s club” and speaking about a “moral failure” and “facade”.
The school has categorically denied the claims and labelled them “unfounded”.
Ms Milligan on Monday posted on X – formerly known as Twitter – that she had received seven legal threats before the program had even aired.
She said they included legal threats to herself, the ABC, people in the program and even “people not in our program”.
“Even coming from people associated with Cranbrook NOT in our story,” Ms Milligan’s post continued.
“Power and influence in Australia’s wealthiest enclave. Tune in.”
Media moguls James and Kerry Packer, billionaire tech entrepreneur Mike Cannon-Brookes, former NSW deputy premier Tim Bruxner and former Sydney Lord Mayor Sir David Griffin are among the notable alumni of the prestigious college, along with a host of actors, filmmakers and businessmen.
Backlash towards the program had been raised as early as last week, with a member of the school taking to Ben Fordham’s radio show to complain of the “hit job”.
The man on Friday called the ABC’s program an attempt to “paint a negative picture of the culture and leadership of the school”.
He claimed it would contain “unfounded” assertions on the school’s treatment of women amid it’s transition to coeducation.
The man said the program had approached them for comment but he felt the process was “unfair”.
The school otherwise declined to participate in an interview.
“We did approach them (Four Corners) about 10 days ago, and it was only three days ago they gave us some questions which were limited in nature,” he said on 2GB Radio.
“We really want to just let our community know we provide a safe and inclusive and respectful environment for the kids.”
But an ABC spokesperson said Cranbrook has been given detailed information, and ample time and opportunity to participate in the program.
“Four Corners conducts important public interest investigations,” the spokesperson said.
“The public can watch the program and make up their own minds”
The school also released a statement to parents where they reiterated they would assert the school had a “kind, inclusive and respectful environment”, Mr Fordham read on his program.