ABC Four Corners Faces Impartiality Breach Finding Over War Memorial Story
Synopsis
ACMA has found ABC’s Four Corners breached impartiality obligations over its Australian War Memorial redevelopment coverage, while the ABC has rejected the ruling and warned that its interpretation could create a chilling effect on investigative journalism.
Australia’s media regulator has found that ABC’s Four Corners breached impartiality obligations in its coverage of the Australian War Memorial redevelopment.
The ACMA Four Corners ruling relates to the program’s treatment of audit findings, the redevelopment consultation process and its selection of interviewees.
The finding concerns the Sacrifice episode which aired on March 10, 2025. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said the program “unduly favoured one perspective” in its presentation of aspects of the project.
The ABC code of practice breach was linked to the cumulative effect of the program’s framing, language and treatment of people interviewed for the story.
ACMA Raises Concerns Over Four Corners Coverage
ACMA said the ABC Sacrifice episode war memorial coverage did not adequately explain findings from an Australian National Audit Office report and instead focused predominantly on its deficiencies.
The regulator also found that the program conflated different stages of the redevelopment consultation process. It said this was likely to leave viewers confused about the accuracy of claims made by War Memorial director Matt Anderson.
ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said investigative journalism had an important role in scrutinising matters of public interest, but the ABC remained required to present contentious issues with due impartiality and sufficient context.
The finding also cited the selection and differing treatment of interviewees, as well as strong and emotive language.
ABC Rejects Finding and Warns of Chilling Effect
The Hugh Marks ACMA response was direct. The ABC managing director rejected the impartiality finding and said its interpretation could have a “chilling effect” on investigative journalism.
The ABC argued that the ruling created an unworkable interpretation of impartiality and could impose false balance on public-interest reporting. The Four Corners War Memorial redevelopment story, it said, involved accountability interviews and scrutiny of public officials.
ACMA did not find that the episode breached accuracy requirements over its use of Last Post audio alongside construction footage and sounds.
The finding is the second involving Four Corners this year. In March, ACMA found that a 2024 episode about water use in the Northern Territory breached accuracy and impartiality requirements.
ACMA is considering whether to take a formal regulatory response. Under broadcasting legislation, it can recommend remedial action but cannot compel the ABC to implement it.
Source: The West Australian
Vishal is an experienced Editor at Inspirepreneur Magazine with key interests in artificial intelligence, eCommerce, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and startup sector. Prior to joining Inspirepreneur, he was a Content Writer cum Correspondent at Siliconindia Magazine, where he worked on Company Profiles, Cover Stories, Executive Profiles, Feature Articles and Thought Leadership content.
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