"Why do we think that this is such a good, artistic show to comment or to promote the hijab when literally hundreds of thousands of women are facing arrest, imprisonment, separation from their families because they are seeking to rid themselves of this symbol of oppression from countries like Iran, and here we are seeking to celebrate this garment at taxpayers' expense?" Abetz asked.



Guthrie replied that it wasn't a news program.

"Senator, it's a fashion program. It's not for news... It is a program that is intended to show the hijab as part of a fashion program. It is not intended to be any political statement at all," she said. "It is simply intended to be a reflection of arts programming the ABC has commissioned."

Abetz suggested women in Iran would be "very disappointed" to see a program where Western women were celebrating "this oppressive item of clothing".