Far from having a leftwing bias, the ABC has been tamed by cuts and incessant attacks

‘The ABC’s critics often claim to detest cancel culture, but they would love nothing more than to cancel the ABC.’ Photograph: Danny Casey/AAP

When your opponent is determined for war, history teaches us appeasement does not work. Indeed, unilateral concessions are often counterproductive: they weaken your position and embolden your adversary.

Sadly, these are lessons that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, by and large, has failed to learn. Over the past decade of conservative rule, the national broadcaster has been gradually tamed by an unrelenting campaign of bullying, intimidation and delegitimisation.