Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has written to ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie to demand the public broadcaster explain why it devoted an episode of Australian Story to Labor senator Sam Dastyari.

As well as the episode of Australian Story, Senator Fifield has asked the ABC to explain why a recent Media Watch episode heavily featured an interview with Senator Dastyari.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield says "it is important for the ABC not to be seen to be favouring any individual in terms of its programing". Credit:Andrew Meares

The ABC came under fire from a wide array of politicians for the July 31 profile of Senator Dastyari, which was blasted as a "puff piece", "propaganda" and an "infomercial" to promote Senator Dastyari's book.

Senator Dastyari resigned last year from the Labor frontbench after it was revealed he got a Chinese donor to pay for a personal debt.