ABC Managing Director Russell Balding this week stood up for the ABC’s editorial decision making process over a tv program issue.

Balding said:

“This is a crucial period for the ABC. In the heightened atmosphere of a
looming Federal election the public can be assured that the ABC will stand
firm and protect its editorial independence.”

The Managing Director was responding to a complaint from the Minister for Foreign Affairs about a promo and subsequent program on the Bali
bombing.

Balding says: “There is a fundamental difference between dealing appropriately with complaints and bowing to pressure.

“In relation to the program itself, the ABC received representations from
both the Minister’s Office and his Department asserting that the program
contained factual inaccuracies and requesting that a statement provided by
the Department be placed at the end of the program – even before they had
the opportunity to see the program. ABC management reviewed the program and
satisfied themselves it was in accordance with ABC editorial policies and
guidelines. As such there was no need to even consider the statement.”

The ABC has now received a formal complaint from the Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Trade, which has been referred to the ABC’s Complaints Review
Executive.