Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Four Corners failed to be impartial in a program on the management, funding and redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial, the broadcast watchdog has found, the second time this year the ABC has been found to have breached its statutory obligation.
In findings released on Thursday, the Australian Communications and Media Authority ruled the ABC “breached its impartiality obligations” in the episode ‘Sacrifice’ which went to air on March 10, 2025.
ABC managing director Hugh Marks has rejected the finding, saying it could have a “chilling effect” on investigative journalism.
ACMA found the program was “unbalanced” as it focused on deficiencies outlined in an Australian National Audit Office report on the $548 million redevelopment project without fully explaining the ANAO’s overall conclusion that management of the project was “largely effective”.
It also found that supportive opinions were not sufficiently represented and that the ABC failed to provide opportunities for a more diverse and balanced range of viewpoints to be expressed.
The episode, hosted by reporter Mark Willacy, was billed by the ABC as revealing “how the Australian War Memorial is increasingly entwined with the global arms industry – raising troubling questions about conflicts of interest, corporate influence and the future of the memorial itself”.
ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said investigative journalism could take a variety of approaches, but Four Corners must also comply with the impartiality obligations under the ABC Code of Practice.
“Investigative journalism plays an important role in scrutinising matters in the public interest,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“However, the ABC must present contentious issues with due impartiality and provide audiences with sufficient context.
“We found that the cumulative effect of the program’s framing, its use of strong and emotive language and its selection and differing treatment of interviewees unduly favoured critics of the redevelopment.”
It is the second such finding against the flagship current affairs program this year after ACMA found that the 2024 ‘Water Grab’ episode breached the Code’s accuracy and impartiality requirements.
The complaint against the program was made to ACMA by former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Beazley, chairman of the Australian War Memorial (AWM) Council.
In a statement following the release of ACMA’s findings, Mr Beazley said it was a “vindication of the work done by the development team, which is continuing to obtain a multiplicity of honours”.
“The AWM’s management of the Development Project is award winning and the outcomes are world-class.
“The Council will not allow this program to unfairly damage the reputation of the Australian War Memorial.”
But the ABC is refusing to change or remove the program. A statement issued by the broadcaster claims the ACMA finding creates an unworkable interpretation of impartiality and imposes false balance on public interest reporting.
“It fails to understand the difference between an explanatory interview and an accountability interview and the obligation on public officials to be held to appropriate scrutiny,” the statement goes on.
“It also unfairly impugns the integrity of the reporter and fails to acknowledge the great efforts made by the program team to ensure impartiality.”
Mr Marks, the ABC’s managing director, said in a statement that while the ABC respects the role of ACMA, it rejected this finding.
“If this interpretation of the Code is applied, including more widely across the industry, it could have a chilling effect on the body of investigative journalism that delivers the important stories that serve the public interest,” he said.
