Ben Butler Steps Down Amid Controversy

Ben Butler, newly appointed chair of the Walkley Awards judging board, has stepped down amid explosive allegations he made a chilling remark — suggesting a colleague be “killed and buried in a shallow grave” — during a heated phone call at the ABC. Though the ABC had suspended him earlier this year and he later resigned, Butler denies the claims, blaming his exit on short-term contracts. A decorated journalist and two-time Walkley winner, his departure follows the Walkley Foundation’s confirmation and the appointment of veteran journalist Gay Alcorn, a three-time Walkley winner and former editor, to lead the board. With entries opening July 1 and the ceremony set for November 19, the future of Australia’s most prestigious journalism awards hangs in the balance. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/33f53fa3820d2250