ABC sacks Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal over unauthorised podcast appearance
Consensus Summary
The ABC terminated Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal’s employment in May 2026 following an internal investigation into his unauthorised appearance on the podcast *Word on the Street*, hosted by Ryan Naumenko and sponsored by an online crypto casino. Fazal, a former Mongols bikie gang member and Walkley Award-winning journalist, claimed his manager initially approved the podcast, but the ABC withdrew endorsement after the first episode aired with gambling ads. The investigation centered on his external work request, not the subsequent feud with Naumenko or allegations of cash payments, which Fazal denied. All sources confirm his dismissal, though details vary on the timeline of his leave and the specifics of the approval process. Fazal’s reporting career, including his work on crime and underworld investigations, was also highlighted across outlets.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Mahmood Fazal is no longer employed by the ABC after an internal investigation into an unauthorised podcast appearance with Ryan Naumenko in 2025
- The podcast, *Word on the Street*, was sponsored by an online crypto casino (Vegastars) and ended after two episodes due to a falling-out between Fazal and Naumenko
- Fazal initially claimed his manager approved his participation in the podcast, but the ABC later withdrew endorsement after the first episode aired with gambling ads
- Fazal is a former sergeant-at-arms for the Mongols bikie gang and a Walkley Award-winning journalist who joined the ABC in 2021 and Four Corners in 2023
- The ABC’s investigation focused on Fazal’s external work request and podcast appearance, not the subsequent feud with Naumenko or the FriendlyJordies controversy
- Fazal was on medical leave for seven months before his contract was terminated in May 2026
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Naumenko alleged Fazal demanded payment in cash to hide the payments from the ABC, though Fazal claimed the money funded production crew costs, which was contested by ABC’s Media Watch.
- Fazal allegedly passed on threats to YouTuber Jordan Shanks (FriendlyJordies) in 2024, but police took no action; Fazal denied wrongdoing at the time.
- The ABC’s Media Watch reported Fazal’s manager initially endorsed the podcast based on information provided, but final approval was withdrawn after the episode aired with gambling ads.
- ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks confirmed Fazal’s termination during Senate estimates, stating the investigation’s findings led to his dismissal without detailing specifics.
- Marks referenced the ABC’s caution following the unlawful termination of Antoinette Lattouf’s employment in 2025, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigations.
- Fazal’s lawyer, Rebekah Giles, stated in October 2025 that Fazal believed he had his manager’s approval for the podcast interview.
- The ABC’s statement to Media Watch in October 2025 denied Fazal’s allegations of cash payments, calling Naumenko’s claims ‘categorically denied’ by Fazal.
- Fazal’s last Four Corners episode, about the sovereign citizen movement, aired in August 2025.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The SMH states Fazal took medical leave seven months before termination, while the ABC does not specify the duration of his leave beyond it being ongoing during the investigation.
- The Guardian and ABC mention Fazal’s manager initially endorsed the podcast based on information provided, but the SMH adds that the endorsement was later withdrawn after the first episode aired with gambling ads, without clarifying if this was due to the manager’s discretion or higher-level approval.
- The SMH reports Fazal’s podcast payments were allegedly contested over cash demands, while the ABC and Guardian focus solely on the lack of final approval for external work, omitting the cash payment dispute.
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Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal no longer working for the ABC after external podcast appearance
The public broadcaster launched an investigation into the former bikie’s involvement in a podcast sponsored by an online casino Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal is no longer working for the ABC after an investigation into the former bikie’s involvement in a podcast sponsored by an online casino. The ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, told Senate estimates on Thursday Fazal’s
Breaking: Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal no longer working at ABC
Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal is no longer employed by the ABC, a spokesperson confirms.