PUBLIC REPORT ON AUDIENCE COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS
APRIL – JUNE 2003
1. ABC Complaint Handling Procedures
The ABC is responsible for the quality and standards of all programs it broadcasts.
With so many program services being provided each day, from time to time errors may occur. The ABC aims to ensure that they happen as rarely as possible. However, should they occur, the ABC accepts responsibility and will respond promptly and appropriately.
The ABC aims to respond to complaints as quickly as possible and no later than 28 days after receipt of a complaint.
The roles of ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs and the ABC’s Complaints Review Executive are described below.
ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs
ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs deals with written complaints about ABC programs.
Depending on the nature of the complaint, it will either be investigated by Audience &
Consumer Affairs or referred to the relevant division for direct response. All written
complaints alleging a breach of the ABC’s Editorial Policies will be investigated by Audience
& Consumer Affairs. Audience & Consumer Affairs is independent of program making divisions within the ABC.
Complaints can be sent to Audience & Consumer Affairs at GPO Box 9994 in your capital city, or submitted by email to [email protected].
If a complainant expresses dissatisfaction with a response received from Audience &
Consumer Affairs, the complaint and response can be forwarded to the ABC’s Complaints Review Executive (CRE) for independent review.
Complaints Review Executive
The ABC established the role of Complaints Review Executive (CRE) to provide an additional level of internal review for complainants who express dissatisfaction with ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs’ response to their complaint.
The CRE has broad scope to independently review the broadcast and the manner in which the complaint was originally dealt with, and determine whether the ABC acted appropriately.
The CRE is independent of both ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs and all program makers.
This additional tier of internal review does not preclude complainants from seeking external review via the Australian Broadcasting Authority, or the ABC’s Independent Complaints Review Panel, depending on the nature of the complaint. Both these forms of review are external and entirely independent of the ABC.
2. Overview
This report provides information about audience complaints finalised by ABC Audience &
Consumer Affairs and the ABC’s Complaints Review Executive between 1 April and 30 June 2003.
Specifically, the report outlines
• the overall composition of audience contacts
• timeliness of ABC responses
• the subject matter of complaints received
• the number of complaints upheld by the ABC
The report also provides summary details of all complaints upheld by Audience &
Consumer Affairs and all investigations finalised by the Complaints Review Executive during this period.
Overall, there were 8330 contacts finalised during this period. Of these, requests for information and comments made up the majority of contacts (65%), while 2889 (35%) were complaints. A total of 363* complaints were upheld either fully or partially. This represents 12.5% of all complaints, or 4.3% of all contacts to the ABC.
*
Of these, 309 upheld complaints referred to the broadcast of an incorrect episode of Monarch of the Glen.Overall composition of audience contacts
Between 1 April and 30 June 2003, ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs dealt with 8,330 written contacts from audience members.
Table 1: Written contacts finalised, 1 April to 30 June 2003.
Timeliness of responses
Table 2: Timeliness of responses provided, 1 April to 30 June 2003.
Type of contact Average response time % of responses provided Type of contact Email Letter Total % of Total
Complaint 2318 571 2889 35%
Appreciation / Request /
Suggestion 4817 405 5222 63%
Other contacts 149 70 219 2%
Grand Total 7284 1046 8330 100%
within 28 days
Complaint 19 days 71%
All written contacts 23 days 64%
Subject matter of complaints received
From 1 April to 30 June 2003, Audience & Consumer Affairs dealt with 2,889 complaints.
Topics of complaint were as follows:
Table 3: Topics of complaints finalised
Subject
Number of complaints
% of complaints
finalised Matters of fairness, accuracy and independence
Other bias 205 7.1%
Party political bias 156 5.4%
Factual inaccuracy 139 4.8%
News values / News content 83 2.9%
Lack of balance 76 2.6%
Harm to individuals / organisations featured in programs 12 0.4%
Discrimination 8 0.3%
Racism 7 0.2%
Incidental advertising 7 0.2%
Sexism 3 0.1%
Invasion of privacy 3 0.1%
Unfair treatment 19 0.7%
Matters of taste and standards
Scheduling / program changes 1032 35.7%
Quality - general 180 6.2%
Standards of interviewing / presentation 114 3.9%
Offence to religious feeling 35 1.2%
Program classifications 34 1.2%
Poor taste 33 1.1%
Bad example 31 1.1%
Bad language 28 1.0%
Sex and sexuality 18 0.6%
Language - pronunciation / grammar 15 0.5%
Sensitivity and portrayal 8 0.3%
Violence 1 0.0%
Other
Management issues 442 15.3%
Other 75 2.6%
Transmission 34 1.2%
Customer service / complaints handling 37 1.3%
Promotions - ABC programs and products 20 0.7%
Sport 19 0.7%
Internet - technical difficulties 11 0.4%
Captions 2 0.1%
Too many repeats 2 0.1%
Grand Total 2889 100.0%
3. Summary of complaints upheld by the ABC
The following summary provides details of all complaints finalised by the ABC’s Audience &
Consumer Affairs unit where the complaint was either fully or partially upheld. In all cases, the complainant received a written response outlining the ABC’s findings.
(i) Matters of fairness, accuracy and independence
An ABC News Online user complained of lack of balance and factual inaccuracy in an online item entitled “Peace activist crushed by Israeli army bulldozer”. The ABC acknowledged that the story, which was about an activist who was killed in the Gaza Strip, incorrectly stated that the victim was from Olympia in Washington State, and not Washington DC as reported. We advised that the ABC's website had been corrected. The ABC did not agree that the story lacked balance.
A viewer complained about aspects of the ABC’s television news coverage of the war in Iraq, and specifically that the attack on Al Jazeera Baghdad bureau was not reported in the 7pm TV news on the day of the event. We agreed that the attack on Al Jazeera should have been reported in the 7pm news, and advised that the reporters and producers working on that day had been counselled regarding this matter. It should be noted that the story was run on the 5pm radio news and on ABC’s TV’s Lateline program later that evening.
A listener complained about comments made by John Highfield on The World Today which stated that two young Iraqi boys, who had escaped from the rubble of a
building, were “screamed” at by US soldiers. The listener felt that the description was misleading and factually inaccurate when compared to the actual news footage of this incident. On advice from the News & Current Affairs Division, the ABC responded that the footage had been reviewed, and defended the accuracy of the statements made by the presenter. The listener then lodged a further complaint about the inaccuracy of the ABC’s response. A review of the tape, independent of the program area, indicated that the listener was right and the ABC’s initial response was
incorrect. We wrote to the listener to advise of this, to uphold their original complaint and express our regret for this error.
As a result of this complaint, tighter procedures have been implemented to ensure that broadcasts are reviewed independently of the program area.
A listener complained that on PM Mark Colvin used the term "gun happy" in reference to the behaviour of US marines. We agreed that the use of the phrase "gun happy"
was not entirely appropriate and that it would have been preferable for it not to have
been used.
A listener complained that an ABC Arts News Online story “Get real, Alston tells Triple J” incorrectly attributed statements to the Minister regarding Triple J and news coverage, and in particular that "Richard Alston has accused the ABC's youth radio network, Triple J, of not focusing on the "real" issues.”
The ABC acknowledged that the use of the word "accused" by the originating reporter in the introduction to the story, which was also reflected in the online headline, was inappropriate. The ABC advised that it had re-examined the exchange between the Minister and another Senator, and had amended the headline and introduction to more accurately reflect the nature of the debate.
Two viewers complained about a factual inaccuracy in a 7pm News report which stated that Iraqi Catholics were celebrating the ascension of Jesus Christ at Easter.
We agreed that the reference was incorrect. We apologised for any offence that resulted, and the reporter was made aware that the Ascension of Christ to heaven is observed as having taken place 40 days after the Resurrection.
A viewer complained that a story about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong contained pictures of Singaporean newspapers, rather than Hong Kong newspapers. We agreed that incorrect vision was used, as a result of a mix up in the editing process.
There were three complaints from viewers about ABC News referring to the Governor-General as Australia’s Head of State. We agreed that this was incorrect, and advised that all staff had been reminded that the Governor-General was the Queen’s representative in the Commonwealth.
We received two complaints about a 7pm News report of the death of rally car driver Possum Bourne before his actual death. The ABC acknowledged that Canberra and Melbourne 7pm News reported the death of Mr Bourne several hours before his actual death. The ABC advised that, just before the 7pm News went to air, the ABC received notification from a trusted affiliate broadcaster that Mr Bourne had died. The decision was taken to run the story, as the affiliate insisted that checks had been carried out and Mr Bourne had indeed died. This was not normal ABC policy. The ABC journalist should have checked the veracity of this report with a primary source, such as the family or police. The ABC deeply regretted the decision to broadcast the item and apologised for this serious error.
Two viewers complained that coverage of the Governor-General issues had stated
“40 year old rape allegations were dismissed". We agreed that there was a grammatical error in some reports and the wording should have been “a rape that allegedly occurred forty years ago”. The matter was raised with the reporters concerned, so that such mistakes would not be repeated.
A listener complained that a Radio News item incorrectly referred to Sir Guy Green as the ‘acting’ Governor General. We agreed that Sir Guy Green was not ‘acting’
Governor General, but the Administrator of the Commonwealth. The ABC apologised for the error and advised that it had been brought to the attention of the reporter and producer concerned.
A viewer complained about an item on World at Noon which incorrectly referred to the end of the war in Iraq being nine weeks previously, rather than three weeks. We acknowledged that the item was incorrect, and should have stated three weeks since the end of the war in Iraq.
There were two complaints from ABC Online users that a feature on a peace symposium on The Public Record was biased, as the anti-war views were not counterbalanced. The complaints also stated that Sandy McCutcheon’s participation in the symposium, as reported in the story, was a conflict of interest with his ABC position as host of Radio National’s Australia Talks Back.
The ABC did not agree that a feature on the symposium constituted bias, and emphasised that alternate opinions had been comprehensively reported in the ABC’s coverage on the Iraq war.
However, the ABC agreed that Mr McCutcheon’s involvement in the symposium could have given rise to a perceived conflict of interest with his presentation of Australia Talks Back, which had also examined the subject of the Iraq war. ABC Radio advised that Mr McCutcheon had been spoken to, and reminded of his responsibilities in relation to ABC guidelines on engagement in outside activities and conflict of interest.
The ABC also acknowledged that The Public Record site should have clearly
indicated that the opinions expressed by Sandy McCutcheon at the symposium were his own and not those of the ABC. The website was amended to clarify this.
A member of a professional Association complained about an ABC Science Online story “Trams more damaging to the environment than cars”, which inferred a link between the Association and specific independent research cited within the story.
We agreed that the item implied that research conducted by a senior lecturer with RMIT University was backed by the Association, rather than being the academic's own initiative. We advised that this was a result of an error in the editing process and that the story had been corrected.
A listener complained about lack of balance in two stories on The World Today, one concerning the war in Iraq and the other about Syria’s denial of military support for Iraq. The ABC did not agree that the interview between Geoff Hutchison and retired Israeli colonel Jonathon Fighel, about Iraq’s unfolding military tactics, lacked balance.
However, we agreed that the statement “Israel’s occupied territories” in this report should have instead said “Israeli-occupied territories”. The ABC advised that program-makers had been reminded of the need for clarity when referring to these territories.
The listener also complained that a report on The World Today incorrectly stated that Australia and the United Nations had recognised Hezbollah as a terrorist
organisation. The ABC agreed that this reference was incorrect and should not have been used.
The ABC received eight complaints about the tone of an ABC TV news item on the welcome home march for Australian armed forces involved in the war in Iraq. We agreed that the tone and line of questioning to the troops was inappropriate. The ABC advised that the staff involved had been counselled.
A viewer complained that a 7pm News item incorrectly stated that Sir Don Bradman made 100 test centuries, when in fact he had only made 29 test centuries. We apologised for this error, which was brought to the attention of the producer concerned.
A listener complained that the 720 ABC Perth Morning program failed to give the Hon John Kobelke, Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection, a right of reply regarding issues surrounding the death of a road worker, even though the Minister had made himself available to the program. We agreed the program team failed to enable the Minister to exercise a right of reply. It was also acknowledged that Liam Bartlett’s comments regarding the Minister’s accessibility were inaccurate. The ABC broadcast an apology on 720 ABC Perth’s Morning program. The program team was formally counselled on their obligations under the ABC’s Editorial Policies to ensure fair, accurate and objective reporting and treatment of contributors.
An interviewee complained that an ABC broadcaster recorded a telephone interview without prior permission. The ABC apologised unreservedly, acknowledging that this incident breached ABC Editorial Policies. We advised that the presenter had been formally reprimanded and assured the complainant that the interview was never broadcast. The tape was destroyed.
A viewer complained that the consumer warning shown during ABC kids
programming prior to Gulf War news breaks was grammatically incorrect. We agreed that the grammar in the consumer advice was incorrect, and advised that this had been corrected.
(ii) Matters of taste and standards
An ABC listener complained that a Radio News item reported "bombing of the enemy had commenced", in relation to the Iraq war. We agreed that while the use of the word “enemy” was correct in a military context, a preferable form of words would have been “bombing of Iraq had commenced”.
A viewer complained about graphic footage during a 7pm News item which showed images of victims of the Iran/Iraq war. We agreed that a warning about the graphic nature of the images should have preceded this news item, and apologised for any distress caused.
A viewer complained about a 7pm News item which showed graphic footage of a body in an open grave during Iraq war coverage. We agreed that a warning about
the graphic nature of the images should have preceded this news item, and apologised for any distress caused.
A listener complained about the poor standard of interviewing on The World Today during a story about an anti-war demonstration in China. We agreed that the reporter’s questions had been poorly constructed and inappropriately judgemental.
We advised that the reporter concerned had been counselled.
A listener complained about an item broadcast on PM regarding the television series Big Brother, which included the re-telling of a racist joke. We agreed that it was not essential to the news item to have repeated the “joke” in detail. We advised that the producer and reporter concerned had been counselled and that senior management had discussed with them other ways in which such sensitive matters might be dealt with. We emphasised that the ABC did not condone racism, and although the editorial decision, at the time, had aimed to make that fact apparent, it had failed to do so.
A listener complained that an anti-Semitic comment made by a caller to Tim Cox's program on 936 ABC Hobart, not only went to air, but went unchallenged. The ABC recognised that the comment regarding Jewish “control of America”, made by a talkback caller, could be construed as disparaging of the Jewish community. The ABC acknowledged that it would have been preferable for Tim Cox to challenge the caller’s comment. Mr Cox and his producer were reminded of the importance of properly moderating talkback comments.
There were two complaints about racist humour during the Good Friday morning radio program, which was presented by Red Symons and broadcast across Australia.
We agreed that Mr Symons made a racist comment to his guest, which was an attempt at humour. The ABC acknowledged that this was totally inappropriate and apologised. We also advised that Mr Symons and his producers had acknowledged this error of judgement and regretted any offence caused.
A listener complained about racist comments made by Clive Robertson on Classic FM’s Breakfast program. The ABC acknowledged that the presenter’s comments regarding a caller’s spoken English could have been construed as racist. The comments were intended to be humorous and to make light of the listener’s criticism of Clive Robertson’s presentation style. The ABC advised that the matter had been discussed with the presenter.
A viewer complained about the use of a didjeridoo during an interview with actor Heath Ledger, and Andrew Denton’s comment regarding using a bucket with the didgeridoo to make a bucket bong. We agreed that this was inappropriate and insulting to Indigenous culture, and advised that the program’s producers had been counselled.
A viewer complained to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) that Gulf War news bulletins broadcast during children’s television programs exposed them to unnecessary and violent scenes of war and destruction. The ABC provided a response to the ABA, outlining that we believed it was necessary in our role as the
national public broadcaster to provide the audience with coverage of a war in which Australia was directly involved. This was particularly so during the opening days of the conflict.
A clear viewer warning preceded all news bulletins during children’s programming, and further advice was provided to viewers before the scheduled childrens’
programming resumed. Further, the bulletins should not have included explicit violence or the consequences of war.
However, we agreed that news updates broadcast at 3.00 and 4.00pm on 26 March did contain violent images that were unsuitable for broadcast at times when
subsequent programs were directed at children. These images were not of the war in Iraq, but rather an anti-war protest in Sydney, which turned violent. We advised that we regretted that this footage was used and the producer who put the footage to air had been counselled. ABC management also emphasised to production staff that they need to take great care when selecting images used in programs, particularly for bulletins broadcast during children’s viewing times.
A viewer complained about the use of bad language during an episode of Spaced, which was classified “M”, and broadcast in Western Australia on 2 May at 2.25pm.
We agreed that as 2 May was a school holiday in WA, the ABC should not have broadcast the “M” classified episode of Spaced at that time. The ABC’s Code of Practice provides that “M” classified programs may be shown between noon and 3.00pm on weekdays that are school days, and between 8.30pm and 5.00am on any day of the week. The ABC apologised for this error and any offence caused.
A viewer complained that an ABC Television promotion for Clive Robertson’s
Breakfast radio program contained offensive comments regarding homeless people.
The segment, intended to make light of the ABC’s unsuccessful bid for increased Government funding, made reference to Clive having to spend the night on a park bench. The ABC apologised and assured the complainant that this promotion did not seek to denigrate homeless people, and advised that it had been removed.
An ABC Online user complained about offensive material posted on the Play School online guestbook, which contained foul language and inappropriate content. We agreed that an inappropriate message had been published, and advised that this message was removed as soon as the ABC was aware of its existence. We also advised that ABC Children Online moderation policies had been reviewed, in order to minimise the risk of offensive material appearing in guestbooks.
An ABC Online user complained about links from Rollercoaster, an ABC Kids website, to sections of the Kath & Kim website, which contained offensive language.
We agreed that these links were inappropriate and had since been removed. We apologised for any offence caused, and advised that procedures for links from all ABC Kids sites had been reviewed to prevent this recurring.
(iii) Other
There were 309 complaints from viewers of Monarch of the Glen complaining about the broadcast of an incorrect episode from an earlier series, rather than the promoted episode from the new series. The ABC apologised for this error, and advised that an apology was broadcast before the 7pm News on Wednesday 2 April.
There were two complaints regarding insufficient provision of closed captions during the coverage of the war in Iraq. The ABC agreed that while the majority of ABC coverage was captioned, we failed to caption some acquired programming from BBC World broadcast overnight, which constituted a breach of the legislative requirement to caption all news and current affairs programming. We apologised for this oversight and advised that ABC Television had revised internal procedures to ensure that this would not recur.
A viewer complained that a NSW TV election announcement instead of a news update was broadcast to Ballarat, Victoria, on 9 March 2003. We explained that Ballarat ABC TV routinely received ABC News from Melbourne during the NSW election. However, on the night of 9 March 2003, there was a technical error which caused the NSW election program feed to be sent to Ballarat. The ABC apologised for this error.
A viewer complained about a break in television transmission, without an
announcement or apology. We explained that the break in transmission was due to routine maintenance for the Gore Hill transmitter. A misunderstanding between departments resulted in no announcement or apology being transmitted. The ABC apologised for this error and any inconvenience caused.
4. Summary of investigations completed by the Complaints Review Executive
During the period 1 April to 30 June 2003, the CRE finalised reviews into eight matters. In one case, the complaint was partially upheld.
1. 891 ABC Adelaide – medical advice Background
The complaint concerned the veracity of health advice provided on 891 ABC Adelaide by a regular guest presenter who is a university medical scientist.
Finding
The CRE was not sufficiently qualified in the medical field to appraise the views of either the complainant or the guest presenter. Therefore, a Senior Research Fellow with the Monash Institute of Health Services Research (MIHSR), was contracted to undertake an
independent review.
The investigator concluded that much of the guest presenter’s commentary on 891 ABC Adelaide was reliably based and supporting evidence was strong and long-standing, or
reasonable. However, it was noted that in some circumstances, the complainants concerns about the medical basis for some of the on-air analysis could be upheld.
It was also noted that there were some dangers in conveying what is sometimes complex professional advice by way of a relatively short radio interview. The CRE recommended that the station precede any professional advice (e.g. in a health, finance or property segment) with a disclaimer stating that information provided was general in nature, and that it should not be understood as personal professional advice.
The complaint was partially upheld.
2. ABC News – Tasmania State Election Background
Senator Bob Brown, Leader of the Australian Greens Party, complained about the ABC’s coverage of the Tasmania State Election. Mr Brown's particular concerns were: the Green's received inadequate coverage during the campaign; Stateline did not include a Greens representative in the Leaders Debate; and that the ABC invited Former Liberal Premier Robin Gray to participate on the discussion panel during the ABC’s election night coverage. Senator Brown complained that the ABC failed to meet standards of impartiality, accuracy and objectivity.
Finding
The CRE concluded that the ABC did not breach the Code relating to balance and
impartiality by not including a representative of the Greens on the election night panel and in the Stateline debate. Given the composition of the Legislative Assembly prior to the election (where the Greens had one seat in a chamber of 25), the CRE concluded that it was not unreasonable for the ABC to have made the decision to only include the
Government and Opposition as principal contributors, to both the Stateline Leaders Debate and the election night panel.
In regard to Robin Gray’s participation on the election night panel, the CRE concluded that the issue was one of proportionality. Robin Gray was interviewed by Kerry O’Brien and Judy Tierney for 7 minutes and 36 seconds out of a total election broadcast of over four hours. Of the total interview, 2 minutes 39 seconds related to the influence of the Greens.
Again, the CRE determined that the expectations of the Code on impartiality and balance were met.
In reviewing the overall coverage of the Greens during the election campaign and also on election night, the CRE concluded that the ABC had provided sufficient coverage.
The complaint was not upheld.
3. ABC News Online – use of language Background
The complaint arose from an ABC News Online story which used the word “dissident” to describe historian David Irving. The complainant felt this was a misuse of English, citing the definition of a “dissenter” as someone who disagrees with some establishment dogma, and struggles nobly against an unjust cause.
Finding
The CRE determined that it was not inaccurate to describe David Irving as a “dissident”
historian, but that whether the term “dissident” was a strong enough description was a matter of judgement. The headline reference to “dissident” was given context in the body of the story, which alluded to the Government’s concerns about granting Mr Irving a visa, given that he had convictions in several jurisdictions.
The complaint was not upheld.
4. ABC Radio News – news gathering and reporting Background
The complaint was prompted by an evening Radio News item which referred to a rock fall in a mine at Leinster in Western Australia. The complainant asserted that the report was unprofessional, grossly misleading and that the ABC rushed the story to air.
Finding
The CRE outlined that while the first Radio News report at 22.00 indicated that the incident occurred “at Leinster”, this was corrected as more information came to light. Within an hour the exact location of the incident became clear and this was conveyed in further reports.
The CRE concluded that it was not “unprofessional” or a substantive breach of the Code for the ABC to have broadcast the original item.
The complainant also claimed that the WA Police requested that the ABC did not broadcast the report until details were clearer. Assuming that the WA Police made this initial request, which cannot be verified, the CRE felt that the ABC’s decision to accede to such a request must be judged on a case-by-case basis and on the information already available.
In this instance, the ABC had details about what happened which were provided by the Police Communications Duty Inspector. The CRE concluded that it was not unreasonable for the ABC to report this development as breaking news, with the caveat that “no other information is available” and with follow-up in later bulletins.
The complaint was not upheld.
5. Australia Talks Back – opinion and anti-Government bias Background
The complaint related to on-going concern about partiality in the program Australia Talks Back and, in particular, that its presenter Sandy McCutcheon was biased against the
Government and the Bush Administration. The complainant also requested that the CRE address matter of access to the Board, as the complainant was concerned that complaints were not brought to the attention of the ABC Chairman or Board.
Finding
The CRE concluded that while the complainant’s initial correspondence expressed concern with the impartiality of Sandy McCutheon, the presenter of Australia Talks Back, specific examples were not provided. Given this, the CRE found that it was appropriate for the Director of Corporate Affairs to respond to the complainant, but not engage in a general debate.
The complainant gave an example of alleged bias in the 21 February edition of Australia Talks Back, where the presenter described President Bush as “an unelected President”.
The CRE noted that this term was provocative, but added that the necessity for the US Supreme Court to adjudicate over the critical Florida results could lead to a view that, in the end, it was not the finality of the voting process that led to the election outcome. Such an analysis, while debatable, does not in itself demonstrate a fixed political stance on the part of the presenter.
In relation to complainants’ access to the Board, the CRE highlighted that a detailed summary of complaints about lack of accuracy and impartiality, as well as CRE determinations, is reported to the Chairman and Directors at every Board meeting.
The complaint was not upheld.
6. ABC News – use of the term “gang of four”
Background
The complaint related to the ABC’s use of the phrase “gang of four” in reference to a group of parliamentarians within the Australian Democrats. The complainant felt the use of the term, with its historical link to mass murderers of the Chinese Revolution, constituted a breach of the ABC’s Editorial Policies.
Finding
The CRE asserted that it was difficult to argue that the ABC Code of Practice had been breached. The CRE noted that if the ABC had concocted the “Gang of Four” description then there would be a case for arguing that such reporting may be partisan. However, the description was used widely in the political debate itself, with a Democrat Senator first using the term on the ABC’s The World Today.
The complaint was not upheld.
7. Australia Talks Back – lack of impartiality Background
The complainant was concerned that Australia Talks Back was pro-war and that the
presenter Sandy McCutcheon was not an impartial facilitator of balanced discussion, cutting off some callers before they had made their point.
Finding
The CRE concluded that while there was discourse between callers and the presenter, Sandy McCutcheon respected the divided community views on the prospect and reality of military engagement. On the matter of excluding perceived relevant material in the discussion about the war in Iraq, the CRE found that it was not unreasonable for the program team be more editorially focused and limit discussion of other topics. The CRE emphasised that the brief of a discussion program such as Australia Talks Back was to engage a diversity of opinion. Further, the CRE noted it was not realistic to expect a presenter to critique every observation of a guest commentator or talk back caller.
The complaint was not upheld.
8. ABC Radio News – Victorian Peace Network rally Background
The complaint alleged that a Radio News item about a Victorian Peace Network rally inappropriately promoted the event. The ABC acknowledged that the item was
inappropriately worded and advised that the matter had been brought to the attention of the reporter concerned. The complainant felt this corrective action was inadequate.
Finding
The CRE found that the inclusion of the paragraph “Trades Hall is also urging people to attend a rally at midday tomorrow” was inappropriate, as it suggested advocacy for one position in a debate that divided the community. This was acknowledged in the initial response sent to the complainant. The CRE also reviewed the process for gathering and producing news items and was confident that the process had rigour and integrity. The CRE added that the ABC’s complaint handling process and avenues of review were satisfactory and the process was transparent, as a summary of findings was published quarterly on the ABC website.
The complaint was not upheld.
