Southern Star

ABC TV News

On Saturday December 20, 2008, ABC TV News incorrectly reported that the 120-metre tall wheel, the Southern Star, is the third tallest wheel in the world. It is the fourth tallest after the Singapore Flyer, Star of Nanchang and the London Eye.

Dingo protection

ABC TV News, Melbourne

On October 25, 2008, the ABC covered the announcement of the Victorian government’s decision to preserve the remaining population of pure dingoes in the state. During the report, the Dingo was incorrectly described as a wolf. Recent research has shown the dingo is a descendant from domestic dogs from southern Thailand and China, arriving in Australia by boat.

Finance report

ABC TV News

On November 5, 2008, during the finance report on the 7pm television news, the ABC incorrectly advised that the price of Westpac shares had fallen 76c due to their exposure to Allco Finance Group, which was in the hands of receivers. The reason was because the shares had been ex dividend at 72c.

Home Nations

ABC TV News

On November 30, 2008, in reporting the New Zealand Rugby team’s defeat of England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, the ABC report incorrectly referred to the defeat of the 'British Home Nations'. The correct term is 'Home Nations'.

Finance report

ABC TV News

On December 3, 2008, during the finance report on the 7pm television news the Qantas share price was incorrectly listed as $4.44, when the share price finished at $2.35.

Land fill

ABC TV News, Queensland

On December 8, 2008, when reporting on the land fill contamination at Boyne Island Smelter, incorrect vision was used. Pictures of the Queensland Alumina refinery were used instead of the Boyne Island Smelter.

Bermagui forests

PM and ABC TV News, News South Wales

On November 6, 2008, the ABC reported on conservationists’ calls for the State Government to stop cutting down native forests near Bermagui in NSW. The ABC acknowledges that although a balancing comment was gathered from the NSW Environment Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, a representative of the logging industry should have been included to cover all aspects of the story.

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Finance reports

ABC TV News

Two errors were recently made during the finance reports in the 7pm television news. On October 31, 2008, the BHP share price was incorrectly listed as $41.88, when the share price finished at $27.61. On November 7, 2008, the Bank of Queensland was reported as having a 10 percent loss for the day, however the loss was only 7.8 percent, and the reporter should have mentioned that a third of this was due to going ex-dividend.

League World Cup

ABC TV News

On October 25 and 26, 2008, the ABC made two errors during coverage of the Rugby League World Cup. The story on October 25 incorrectly referred to the Haka as an “insult”, instead of a pre-match challenge to an opponent. The ABC also incorrectly referred to the Maori team that played the opener of the World Cup as the “New Zealand Maoris”, instead of their correct title: “New Zealand Maori”.

Father Edmund John Haines

ABC TV News, Victoria

On October 16, 2008, in a story about the court hearing of Father Edmund John Haines for sexual assault, vision of St Joseph's College was incorrectly shown during the story. Haines' association with St Joseph's was mentioned during the court hearing. The offences occurred between March 2006 and February 2008. The ABC acknowledges that Father Haines was not working at the school at the time of the offences. The ABC apologises if the Corporation implied Haines was at St Joseph's.

Lump sum payments

On the November 5, 2008 7pm TV news bulletin, the ABC incorrectly reported that many pensioners were "born in the great depression, making do through the first world war...". The ABC acknowledges that the report should have referenced the Second World War.

Elgin marbles

On October 7, 2008, Foreign Correspondent aired a story "Greece - Losing their Marbles" with reference to the Elgin marbles having been "plundered by the diplomat come vandal, Lord Elgin" and it referred to the marbles as "Elgin's booty". The ABC acknowledges that the report should not have used these phrases without attribution.

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Superannuation funds

The 7.30 Report

The ABC acknowledges that the item "Super funds take a hit in the stockmarket fall" broadcast on October 14, 2008, lacked balance by not seeking a response from representatives of retail superannuation funds to the points raised in the interview.

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Domestic violence on teens

AM, ABC News Online, 7pm TV News

On Monday November 17, 2008 ABC News carried stories reporting the findings of a study into the impact of violence on young people. The study was commissioned by the White Ribbon Foundation. It reported, in part, that “one in every three boys believe it is not a big deal to hit a girl". The author of the report, Dr Michael Flood, has advised the ABC that this finding was in fact wrong. Dr Flood's team transposed information in compilation of that part of the report. The original report by the National Crime Prevention 2001 study upon which much of the White Ribbon report was is based made no reference to "boys hitting girls" In fact the report referred to "girls hitting boys".

As references to this incorrect information formed a significant part of the our online news story, as well as an interview conducted for the AM program. The online news story has been amended accordingly. The AM transcript has been edited and the story audio removed.

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Hobart Race

ABC TV News, Tasmania

On November 23, 2008 ABC television news reported the incorrect weather conditions as “gale force winds and a temperature of minus 13” during the Point to Pinnacle Race. It should have been a "wind chill factor of minus 13 degrees".

Abortion Law Reform Bill

ABC TV News

On October 11, 2008 ABC TV News broadcast a report on a Victorian Abortion Law Reform Bill. The report was found to be inaccurate in that it should have included further information regarding the Bill. Specifically, the report should have acknowledged that the Bill allows for women to have an abortion after 24 weeks with the agreement of two doctors.

Identification of a minor

ABC TV News

On September 17, 2008 ABC TV News carried a report which examined the actions of the Queensland Department of Child Safety in the case of a boy whose father took him to Western Australia. The report revealed the identity of the boy at the centre of the case. A review has found that the identity of the boy should not have been revealed. While it was the case that the boy’s mother gave the news team photos of him to use in the report, the ABC believed that their use, and the identification of the boy by name, was contrary to the ABC's commitment to "exercise reasonable respect for privacy". This principle is spelt out in the ABC's Editorial Policies.

Locust report

TV News, Victoria

On October 29, 2008 during the Victorian edition of the 7pm ABC television news the ABC carried a story on locust numbers in northern Victoria. The reporter incorrectly advised that females can lay up to 1 million eggs each. The figure is closer to 200-300 per female.

Korean War

TV News

On July 27, 2008 ABC TV News broadcast a story reporting the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the Korean War. The report stated that the Korean War ended 55 years ago following the signing of a "peace treaty." ABC News agrees that the term "peace treaty" was inaccurate. In fact, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953 but this was not a peace treaty.

Incorrect title

ABC TV News

On September 7, 2008 ABC TV News carried a story on the NSW cabinet reshuffle which incorrectly described Frank Sartor as the Minister for Local Government. ABC News acknowledges that Mr Sartor should have been referred to as the former Planning Minister.

All Ordinaries graph

TV News

On July 22, 2008 ABC TV News carried a linear graph to demonstrate the change in the All Ordinaries index over time. ABC News acknowledges that the graph was inaccurate. The news presenter returned to this subject in a broadcast on July 25, showing a graph on a logarithmic scale. In that broadcast, the presenter acknowledged that a linear graph could be misleading and the best way to show relativities over time was via a logarithmic graph.

Comment attribution

TV News

On August 26, ABC TV News carried a story in which a reporter asserted that: “Analysts say that in 10 years time, newspapers in their printed form will cease to exist". The ABC acknowledges that the statement should have been attributed to analyst Roger Coleman who had been featured in the report

Verification of allegations

Lateline

On July 18, 2008 Lateline broadcast a story reporting allegations made against a Catholic priest. A complainant questioned the accuracy of the story and argued that the priest should not have been named by Lateline. A report about the priest and the allegations made against him had been aired on Channel 7 earlier in the evening of July 18. Based on the strength of the material in that Channel 7 news report, including not only the original allegations but also the response from the priest's own religious order, ABC News felt the story was credible enough and of sufficient news value to briefly run in Lateline with appropriate attribution.

Although the Lateline report made it clear that the report was based on a Channel 7 story broadcast earlier that evening, it has been established that the material drawn from Channel 7 was not cross-checked and verified by the ABC before the Lateline report went to air. This failure to cross-check and verify material from another media report before use represented a breach of the ABC’s editorial standards.

Subsequently, on July 19, Queensland police confirmed that three complaints were made about the priest in 2003 and 2004 but insufficient evidence was found to pursue the matter. Lateline undertook to append this important information to the online transcript. With regard to the complainant’s concerns that the priest was referred to by name in the Lateline report, it was made clear that the claims made were allegations, and this aspect of the complaint was not upheld.

Inappropriate remark

Lateline

On August 14, 2008 Lateline carried a story in which a reporter remarked that a suicide bomber in Pakistan had “provided his own fireworks”.
ABC News acknowledges that the reporter's comment was insensitive and inappropriate.

Inappropriate phrase

TV News

On August 21, 2008 ABC TV News carried a story in which a reporter used the phrase "like a dog returning to its vomit" when noting the number of times former Prime Minister Paul Keating had been to see the musical Keating! The report included a number of famous sayings from Mr Keating. The phrase in question, from the Bible, was used by Mr Keating in reference to Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey in a parliamentary debate in 1990. However, it was agreed that its use was inappropriate in the context of this News report.

Share slide

TV News

On August 18, 2008, ABC TV News carried a finance report in which the presenter failed to mention that a drop in Commonwealth Bank shares was the result of the stock going ex-dividend. The ABC acknowledges that this was an oversight. On the following night, the presenter noted that the Commonwealth Bank had lost further ground but also acknowledged that the previous day's fall occurred because the stock went ex-dividend.

Glacier report

TV News

On July 10, 2008 ABC TV News broadcast a story dealing with the collapse of ice off the Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina. The newsworthy aspect of this story was that for the first time since records began, a large calving had occurred in the winter months. A viewer noted that the glacier calves ice regularly and argued that there is no evidence of the glacier retreating or showing any signs of the effect of global warming. The complaint was upheld on two counts of factual inaccuracy. ABC News acknowledges that the introductory statement that the glacier "...normally sheds ice every four to six years usually during warmer months" was inaccurate as the glacier calves ice continually. The story should have made it clear that this was a large calving of the size that happens at this glacier on average every four to six years during warmer months. The response acknowledged that the Perito Moreno is one of three glaciers in Argentina that appear to be growing and not receding. Speculation that this large winter calving may be the result of global warming should have been attributed to park rangers.

Indigenous education report

Four Corners

On June 16, 2008 Four Corners broadcast a story “Educating Kimberly” which examined the crisis in education in remote communities such as the Tiwi Islands. It asked whether boarding school was the answer for Indigenous high school education. Amongst other concerns, a viewer argued that the report was one-sided and contained factual inaccuracies.

ABC News acknowledges two counts of factual inaccuracy in relation to statements made by the reporter about the length of time two students featured in the report had studied English. The reporter should have noted that before learning to write in English both students had participated in an oral English program, which commenced in transition (kindergarten) and ran alongside their Tiwi literacy program. The transcript on the program's website was amended to clarify these points.

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Corby allegations

Lateline

On July 4, 2008 Lateline broadcast a story concerning the late Michael Corby. The ABC received a number of complaints arguing that the report inaccurately stated that Mr Corby was involved in the drug trade.

ABC News acknowledges that the reporter should have stated the claims against Mr Corby were allegations and should not have been reported as statements of fact. The report featured a police informant’s allegation that Mr Corby was linked to a cannabis seizure at a neighbour’s property. The ABC agreed the report should have included a reference to the fact that Queensland Police found no evidence to link Mr Corby with this crime. This represented a lack of context. The report also featured an informant’s allegations that Mr Corby was involved in the importation of drugs to Bali. Queensland Police would not provide comment when Lateline sought a response to this allegation. Again, the report should have included this information to provide proper context.

Lateline broadcast an on-air correction on Friday, September 5, 2008 and the program undertook to correct the video record and transcript of the original report, available on the program’s website. The program also undertook to publish an Editor's Note on the transcript to explain the changes

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Religious comments

TV news

In a report broadcast on the 7.00 pm TV News on August 8, 2008 a reporter described comments made by the coach of footballer Sonny Bill Williams, when discussing whether Williams might or might not have had a Muslim association, as racial rather than religious. ABC News agrees that the reporter should have described the comments as being about religion rather than race.

Milosevic trial

TV news

On July 22, 2008 ABC TV News broadcast a story reporting the capture of Radovan Karadzic. The report incorrectly stated that Slobodan Milosevic was tried at the International Court of Justice. The ABC acknowledges that Milosevic was tried at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

Greenhouse gas emissions

TV News

On July 23, 2008 ABC TV News carried a story which reported that Australia's greenhouse gas emissions were spiralling. The ABC acknowledges that Australia's net greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 were 4.2% above 1990 levels. It was inaccurate to describe this as “spiralling”.

Industrial action report

ABC TV News

On July 13 and July 16, 2008, the ABC's 7 pm TV News in Queensland carried stories reporting industrial action by the Electrical Trades Union and its negotiations with the Queensland Government. In the reports it was stated that "Queensland homes and businesses could face blackouts for up to 48 hours if electricity workers follow through with threats to strike this week". This was factually inaccurate. The ABC acknowledges that the ETU maintains emergency call-out crews during industrial action.

Photo controversy

ABC News Online and TV News

On July 17, 2008 ABC News Online published a story reporting the ongoing controversy over the publication of the photo of a young girl on the cover of Art Monthly magazine. The story reported the Classification Board's approval of the image in question and alluded to the confiscation of images by artist Bill Henson from a Sydney gallery earlier this year. An earlier online version of this story stated that Henson's photographs were classified as G. This was incorrect as the Classification Board did not receive an application to classify those photos. The story was changed on August 14. In relation to TV news services, we reported that the Classification Board had cleared Art Monthly Australia because there was a warning on the cover that it was unsuitable for children. In fact, the inclusion of a warning was the result of the classification decision. The publication did not feature this warning but once the board classified the publication, it was required to display the Unrestricted classification marking

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Tehran's weapons program:

TV News

On June 21, 2008 ABC TV News carried a report which referred to “Iran’s nuclear weapons capacity” and “Tehran’s weapons program”. ABC News acknowledges that the report should have included further context including reference to National Intelligence Estimate findings that Iran's nuclear weapons program was halted in 2003. The lack of such context meant that the report fell short of the ABC’s editorial requirements for accuracy.

Viewer warning

TV News

On May 19, 2008 ABC TV News broadcast a story from the Sichuan earthquake zone in China which showed a victim of the earthquake saying goodbye to his wife while he was trapped, and subsequently his body being removed. ABC News acknowledges that it did not include a viewer warning on this story when it was broadcast on the ACT news.

Report on Zimbabwe

TV news

In June, 2008 ABC TV news carried a story about a Zimbabwean boy who was said to be the victim of violence in the country. His mother claimed his legs had been broken by supporters of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. However the boy's mother now admits that the child is suffering from clubbed feet and that she misrepresented the situation because she could not afford treatment for her son.

Atomic bomb attacks in WWII

TV News

On June 9, 2008 the ABC's 7 pm and Lateline news services reported that the Japanese city of Hiroshima had been the only target of a nuclear attack in war time. It's acknowledged that a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki in the closing days of World War II.