Communications Minister Turnbull has warned his Coalition colleagues against seeking to punish the ABC for broadcasting news stories they disagree with.

Mr Turnbull passionately defended the ABC - whose editorial output has been criticised by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and other senior ministers over recent months - by saying on Wednesday the broadcaster is “more important than ever”.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reiterated that he is not the "minister for right-wing communications". Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

In January Mr Abbott blasted the ABC for lacking “basic affection for our home team” while Defence Minister David Johnston last month accused the broadcaster of “maliciously maligning" the navy in reports on asylum seekers.

“All of us who've worked in the television business over the years know that everyone thinks they're a programmer,” Mr Turnbull told a gathering at Parliament House.