The project’s host, Michael Hing, says he “understands” the criticism of the Channel 10 show: “Some people think it’s this left-wing communist propaganda show.”
Project panelist Michael Hing said he “understands” why Channel 10’s current news program has faced criticism over the years.
The comedian joined Channel 10’s flagship current affairs show in December 2022 and spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald on Friday ahead of his upcoming comedy show Long Live The Hing.
Hing briefly discussed his opinion of the program, saying, “After ten years, everyone knows about the project.” Some people think it’s this left-communist propaganda show. Other people think it’s this racist, right-wing show.’
“There was a wide variety of panelists, guests and hosts, so I can understand the criticism people have about it not being aligned with their values,” the former Triple J spokesperson added.
The project, which is being produced by Rove McManus’ production company Roving Enterprises, has been accused in recent years of being “woke” due to increasing left-wing coverage.
Project panelist Michael Hing (left, with co-host Georgie Tunny) said he “understands” why Channel 10’s current affairs program has faced criticism over the years.
Last year, ratings for OzTAM showed Channel 10’s flagship current affairs program had lost almost a third of its audience since 2011.
The struggling show’s Metro ratings fell to an all-time low of just 367,000 last year.
That’s a 30 percent decline from the 538,000 viewers in five cities a decade ago.
The comedian joined Channel 10’s flagship current affairs show in December 2022 and spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald on Friday ahead of his upcoming comedy show Long Live The Hing
In 2021, a leading television commentator claimed that Channel 10 is losing viewers due to The Project.
Rob McKnight, a former 10 executive who now runs industry website TV Blackbox, said the views expressed on The Project do not resonate with everyday Australians.
He told Chron Australia that despite the slick production and top-notch talent, The Project was “very bright” and didn’t compare to mainstream Australia.
“There was a wide variety of panelists, guests and hosts, so I can understand the criticism people have about it not being aligned with their values,” the former Triple J spokesman said. (LR: Project’s Sam Taunton, Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris)
McKnight explained: “I think most Australians are centre-right in their politics, which is why talkback radio does so well.”
“But The Project leans too far to the left and doesn’t reflect Betty from Bankstown or Irene from Ipswich. It really feels like Melbourne inside and is incomprehensible.”
He said the hosts were all “great talent” but at some point the show simply “stopped connecting with the mainstream” – “and that kills every brand”.
Long Live The Hing airs Thursday September 28th at 8:30pm on the 10th.
In 2021, a leading television commentator claimed that Channel 10 is losing viewers due to The Project. Pictured (from left): Tommy Little, Peter Helliar, Hamish Macdonald, Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly, Lisa Wilkinson and Gorgi Coghlan