Senior ABC reporter Emma Alberici says reports chairman Justin Milne told former managing director Michelle Guthrie to sack her after criticism from the Government are "disappointing if true".

Fairfax newspapers are reporting that Mr Milne wrote in an email to Ms Guthrie that Alberici had damaged the public broadcaster's standing with Coalition MPs.

A source close to the ABC board is not denying the email was sent.

The email as reported by Fairfax appears to show the chairman claiming the Government "hates" Alberici.

"We are tarred with her brush. I think it's simple. Get rid of her. We need to save the ABC — not Emma. There is no guarantee they will lose the next election," the report quoted the email as saying.

Alberici, who is the ABC's chief economics correspondent, told ABC Radio Melbourne's Jon Faine that she had not heard that the chairman wanted her sacked until she read it today.

"It's disappointing if it's true, obviously. You don't want your chairman to hold such a dim view of you and your journalism," she said.

She said she left the commercial media world and "made a very deliberate decision to work for the ABC" because she wanted to work for an independent organisation with no outside influence.

Sorry, this audio has expired Senior reporter Emma Alberici talks to ABC Radio Melbourne about reports the chairman wanted her sacked

In response to a question from Faine about the potential undermining of the independence of the ABC, Alberici said it was ultimately up to the ABC board and the Government to decide.

"But it does strike [me] as odd and very disturbing, if the other reports are true, that the Minister was also somehow expressing a view about my continued employment," she said.

"I just think it really undermines the independence of the ABC and that's certainly why I work there."

ABC chairman Justin Milne and managing director Michelle Guthrie during the 2018 ABC Annual Public Meeting ( AAP: Joel Carrett )

Mr Milne is facing calls to resign as ABC chairman in the wake of the reports.

In a statement Mr Milne said he would not offer a "running commentary on day-to-day issues":

"The job of the ABC board is to independently govern the corporation, protect its best interests, ensure that it is well-funded, well-managed and that our content is of the highest standards. That is precisely what the board has done and will continue to do. I do not propose to provide a running commentary on day to day issues which arise in pursuit of our duties."

Acting managing director denies political interference

Acting managing director of the ABC David Anderson said he does not believe there has been any political interference at the broadcaster.

"I've read those claims today and seen the press and all I can say is that I'm focused on the future and … continuing to do the great things that we do," he said.

The email in the Fairfax report came in response to a list of issues then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull had with a story written by Alberici about the government's research and innovation spending.

Alberici was also the subject of complaints from the Government over two online news stories which examined why many large Australian companies do not pay corporate tax, and an analysis of proposed changes to company tax rates.

Nine complaints were raised with the ABC over the two stories.

The news article (Why many big companies don't pay corporate tax) was amended. The analysis piece (There's more to jobs and growth than a corporate tax cut) was reworked and republished.

Guthrie considering her legal options

Ms Guthrie was sacked as ABC managing director on Monday.

Mr Milne said the directors resolved it was not in the best interests of the ABC for Ms Guthrie to continue to lead the organisation.

Ms Guthrie said she felt her termination was not justified, and she was considering her legal options.

"While my contract permits the board to terminate my appointment without cause and with immediate effect, I believe there is no justification for the board to trigger that termination clause," she said.

"At no point have any issues been raised with me about the transformation being undertaken, the Investing in Audiences strategy and my effectiveness in delivering against that strategy."

She said it had been an honour to lead the national broadcaster.