ABC review finds ‘editorial lapses’

A review into ABC coverage of the debate over the Federal Government’s Higher Education Research and Reform Bill, conducted by journalist Steve Harris, found six lapses in editorial standards across the ABC Radio network.

The lapses were found in triple j’s Hack, an RN Breakfast interview between Fran Kelly and Kim Carr and in multiple cases, from 720 ABC Perth in the Mornings and Drive timeslots.
 
It is the 5th review commissioned by the ABC Board and Chairman James Spigelman welcomed it saying, As I indicated in launching this process, the ABC has a reputation for strong, original reporting on issues of public importance. But good work can always be improved, and these reviews provide fresh perspectives and fresh opportunities to reflect, learn and develop.”

ABC Radio also embraced the review but noted that, While the review was undertaken “with the mindset of a one-time, first-time viewer/listener/reader, ie to approximate the perspective of an average member of the ABC audience,” it is the case that Radio target audiences are more often than not familiar with individual program and presenter styles, and there is no one standard audience cohort which would share the same expectations across this range of programs from triple j’s Hack to RN Breakfast to 720 ABC Perth Mornings and Drive.”

Read ABC Radio’s response to each individual lapse here.

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