Several hundred people filled Town Hall Square on Saturday to protest at the $254 million cuts and a forecast 400 job losses at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, with prominent journalist Quentin Dempster describing Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull as "a bullshitter".

They chanted "No ifs, No buts. No ABC Cuts" and waved banners reminding Prime Minister Tony Abbott of his election-eve pledge of no cuts to the ABC or SBS.

Presenter and ABC journalist Quentin Dempster labelled Malcolm Turnbull "a bullshitter". Credit:James Brickwood

Michael Tull, National President of the Community and Public Sector Union, said the purpose of the rally, which heads to Melbourne on Sunday and Canberra on Monday, was to make the promise stick.

Presenter and ABC journalist Quentin Dempster said Dateline had been gutted of its reporting strength and was reportedly to be made "lighter".