An error in allowing a terrorist sympathiser to appear on live television has presented Prime Minister Tony Abbott with an opportunity for "another bash" at the ABC, the friends of the broadcaster say.
Friends of the ABC South Australian president Jessica Knight said on Wednesday the decision to allow Zaky Mallah on the Q&A program was unfortunate.
But she said she did not believe it was deliberate, rather just a case of the vetting process going awry.
"There was no way they would deliberately do something they knew would antagonise the government," she said.
"It was a total and utter mistake."
Mr Abbott said millions of Australians would feel betrayed by the ABC.
"They have given this individual, this disgraceful individual, a platform and in so doing, I believe the national broadcaster has badly let us down," the prime minister told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
Ms Knight's comments came as state presidents of Friends of the ABC met in Adelaide to develop a national campaign to oppose federal government cuts.
The ABC has been forced to find $254 million in savings over the next five years.
The Friends of the ABC say that will result in programming and services being downgraded and centralised and have established a fighting fund to oppose the cuts.
"Without immediate action to stop the attacks on the ABC, Australia will lose the skills and leadership of its very highly respected national broadcaster," Victorian group president Graeme Connelly said.
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