What's New June 22, 2013

ABC clear Ray Hadley Australian Story of bias

A month ago, Mike Carlton (the Sydney Morning Herald columnist and ex 2UE breakfast host) took to Twitter to condemn an episode of Australian Story on Ray Hadley. He said :-

Carlton did formally complain to the ABC and now, the Audience and Consumer Affairs division of the broadcaster, have cleared the program of any bias.

In part, the ruling stated :-

It was clear from the final broadcast that Mr Carlton was critical of Mr Hadley’s workplace behaviour and his broadcasting style. The program makers employed a reasoned and considered approach and the final program was not unfair in its presentation of Mr Carlton’s views …

The program makers did not include every point Mr Carlton made in his interview in each of the different ways that he expressed himself, and there was no obligation for them to do so.

However, the program was under an obligation not to misrepresent Mr Carlton’s views, not to unduly favour one perspective over another and to present news and information with due impartiality. Based on a review of the program and the raw footage of the interview, Audience and Consumer Affairs was satisfied that these obligations were met.

You can read the full decision at Crikey here.