Current Affairs program 60 Minutes has been criticised for allegedly paying disgraced wellness blogger Belle Gibson for an interview to air this Sunday.
Ms Gibson rose to fame in 2013 with claims she survived terminal brain cancer using natural therapies and diet. She developed a successful app called "The Whole Pantry" and released a cookbook of the same name.
But earlier this year, Gibson admitted lying about having terminal brain cancer, telling The Australian Women's Weekly in an explosive interview, "None of it is true."
60 Minutes announced the latest interview, in which Gibson promises to tell the "whole truth", on its Facebook page yesterday.
There have been reports that Gibson received $45,000 for the interview but this has not been confirmed by the Nine Network.
"You didn't have brain cancer." Belle Gibson said she was dying of cancer, but it was all a lie.8.30 Sunday on #60Mins | Will she finally tell the truth? Posted by 60 Minutes Australia on Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Social media users reacted angrily to allegations Gibson was paid, with many posting comments under the Facebook post.
"I'm hoping your conscious kicks in 60 Minutes & you can the story," one woman wrote. "You are as low as she is, paying her so much money to see her smile & fake remorse. It's a kick in the guts to cancer sufferers like myself & those families who have lost loved ones."
"Do not watch 60 Minutes if this woman has been paid for the interview. Share if you are a breast cancer patient or survivor. All of us who are on this journey every day are fighting to put a smile on our face," wrote another.
But some have defended the program, with Fairfax columnist Michael Lallo pointing out that giving Gibson more exposure might not necessarily be a bad thing.
"Being on TV is not always a good thing. It's not simply a reward for people who can sing nicely, tell jokes or look attractive while selling us whitegoods," he wrote. "If I had committed Gibson's sins, the last place I'd want to be is under the glare of the 60 Minutes spotlight, being interrogated by Tara Brown. I'd wet myself at the mere thought of it."
The Nine Network has refused to comment on the alleged payment, telling News Corporation: "It is Nine Network policy not to disclose whether any guests on any programs have or have not been paid for their involvement."
