ABC Widens Inquiry into Claims of Business Interests Influencing Programming

Strategic Insights -

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has broadened its investigation into allegations of business interests influencing favorable coverage on its "infotainment" programs. In response to pressure from staff and the Communications Minister, Mr Lee, ABC Chairman Professor Mark Armstrong has announced that the inquiry will now examine all allegations of financial influence on ABC programs. This decision follows concerns raised by John Millard, a producer on The Investigators, that management had refused to act on previous allegations of breaches of the ABC's co-production sponsorship guidelines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ABC has widened its inquiry into claims of business interests influencing favorable coverage on its "infotainment" programs.
  • The inquiry will now examine all allegations of financial influence on ABC programs.
  • John Millard, a producer on The Investigators, had previously raised concerns about potential commercial abuse in "infotainment" programs.
  • Millard is now believed to allege that management's response to his concerns may have been misleading.
  • The ABC guidelines state that the corporation must retain editorial control in co-productions, but in effect, the shows do not criticize sponsors and often promote their products.
  • The widening of the inquiry follows a phone call from Mr Lee's office to Professor Armstrong after Millard's allegations were aired on ABC Radio's AM program.
  • The Communications Minister, Mr Lee, is satisfied with the outcome, but the Trade Minister, Senator McMullan, has questioned the need for an expanded investigation.
  • Senior ABC television program makers had previously criticized the narrow terms of the original inquiry as a potential whitewash.

Statistics:

  • 2 years: the time frame in which Millard approached Conroy with concerns about commercial abuse in "infotainment" programs.
  • 2 allegations: the number of complaints aired on Channel 9's Sunday program of businesses sponsoring co-producers of ABC programs that gave favorable coverage that prompted the inquiry.
  • 4 programs: The Investigators, Holiday (now on commercial TV), Everybody, and Consuming Passions, some episodes of which are at the center of the allegations.
  • 2 guidelines: the ABC's editorial guidelines, which state that the corporation must retain editorial control in co-productions and prohibit "back-door" advertising.

Sources:

  • "ABC staff invited to give evidence on program influence allegations," The Australian, [undated]
  • "Communications Minister Mr Lee office telephone call to Professor Armstrong," [undated]
  • "Trade Minister Senator McMullan, ABC inquiry into commercial influence not necessary," The Australian, [undated]