The ABC will issue a rare on-air apology on Wednesday night for a Chaser sketch depicting News Corp Australia commentator Chris Kenny in a compromising position with a dog.
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The ABC has reached a settlement with Mr Kenny, who sued the broadcaster for defamation, which includes paying his legal costs and some damages.
The apology for the sketch, shown eight months ago, will air about 9pm before Chris Lilley's Jonah from Tonga.
Fairfax Media understands Mr Kenny was seeking about $40,000 in damages.
The apology is on behalf of the ABC and the settlement will be paid by the broadcaster. The Chaser's production company Giant Dwarf, a separate defendant in the case, has not issued an apology and is understood to have not contributed to the settlement.
But the Chaser members are required under the agreement not to republish the sketch or to detract from the settlement.
The apology to be read on air reads: "Having reviewed the issue, Mr Scott, as the Editor in Chief of the ABC, has come to the view with the ABC's Director of Television that the ABC should not have put the skit to air.
"The ABC apologises to Mr Kenny for having put the skit to air, his depiction in the skit and because it was triggered by his criticism of the ABC. The ABC is sorry for the distress this incident has caused Mr Kenny and his family."
The ABC board met yesterday, but it is understood the issue was not discussed at the meeting.
Earlier this month, the ABC issued a public challenge to Mr Kenny to drop the case, or it would pursue him for costs – a tactic Mr Kenny described at the time as bullying.
Mr Kenny has not responded to requests for comment.
