Mr Milne orchestrated Ms Guthrie's removal as ABC managing director in September and was then forced to resign as chairman days later, accused of trying to get several journalists sacked to placate the government.

Ms Guthrie, who is suing the ABC over her dismissal, has now revealed details about the shock she received the moment she was sacked in her office by Mr Milne on September 24.

"At 5 to 9, I guess, Justin walked into my office with Jane Connors and two other members of ABC staff and closed the door and handed me a letter to let me know I was terminated from the ABC with immediate effect," she tells 4 Corners in an interview to be broadcast on Monday.

"It was a shocking conversation."

Mr Milne tells the program that Ms Guthrie was "upset" at receiving the letter and that sacking her hadn't been easy.

"Sacking people isn't anything that anybody enjoys," he said.

"I've done it on very few occasions in my life."

It is the first time Ms Guthrie has given an interview about her dismissal since she was sacked half way through her five-year tenure at the helm of the ABC.

The former media lawyer and Google and Foxtel executive was shown the door, with the ABC board saying her ongoing leadership was not in the broadcaster's best interests.

Ms Guthrie began legal proceedings over her dismissal by filing papers with the Fair Work Commission ombudsman in October despite her contract stating she could be sacked without cause.

Mr Milne was forced to quit his chairman's post just days after Ms Guthrie was sacked after it was revealed she had told the ABC board he had asked her to sack two journalists because the federal government didn't like their reporting.

A communications department inquiry has since found there was no pressure from the coalition on the ABC to sack journalists.

Australian Associated Press