Channel Nine has told staff that star presenter Karl Stefanovic is leaving the network "effective immediately".It follows an interview with far-right extremist Tommy Robinson on Stefanovic's independent podcast, which prompted significant backlash before it was taken offline. The announcement to Nine staff came via email this morning.Nine's executive director for news and current affairs, Fiona Dear, said she was "acutely aware of how challenging" the situation had been."Protecting freedom of speech is at the core of 9News and Current Affairs," she said."We have a rich history of interviewing controversial figures, and journalists have an obligation to ask difficult questions."Part of what makes us tick is trying to understand why people are the way they are, or think the way they think We welcome open debate and challenging norms with constructive, balanced arguments."As journalists, we play a critical role in society to question, challenge, and hold people to account regardless of where they come from or which political party or views they represent."Ms Dear said plans for the Today show would be shared "very soon".In a video posted to X, Stefanovic thanked the Today show audience for "riding the ups and downs" and told his colleagues he would contact them privately."It wasn't easy these last couple of days, but we roll on," he said.He said the public deserved to hear "different perspectives"."On my show, I've spoken to people who have different perspectives