ACMA Findings on ABC’s Four Corners Episode: A Breach of Standards

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has concluded that the Four Corners episode titled ‘Water Grab’, aired in August 2024, failed to adhere to the accuracy and impartiality clauses outlined in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Code of Practice.

Investigation Findings

The ACMA’s investigation revealed that the program, which focused on water usage in the Northern Territory, incorrectly suggested that a pastoral station was illegally clearing land for cotton cultivation using fire without proper authorization.

According to the ACMA, the ABC lacked adequate evidence to support this claim and did not make reasonable efforts to verify its accuracy prior to broadcasting.

Statements from ACMA Chair

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin emphasized the importance of thorough fact-checking in current affairs programming.

“The ABC should have stopped to consider whether it had sufficient supporting evidence to include the statement about the fire,” said Ms. O’Loughlin.

Ms. O’Loughlin further noted that such claims can significantly damage the reputations of those mentioned, underscoring the need for rigorous verification before going public with potentially damaging assertions.

Expectations of Journalistic Integrity

“Australians expect rigorous, fair, and factual reporting on complex and contested public issues. Our view is that parts of the program did not meet the ABC’s own standards for accuracy and impartiality,” she remarked.

Complexity of Issues Addressed

The ACMA conducted a comprehensive investigation, considering the intricacy of the scientific and technical details involved in the episode. The authority found that by omitting credible alternative scientific viewpoints, the program impeded the audience’s ability to evaluate conflicting evidence, which also constituted a violation of the ABC’s obligations.

ABC’s Response to Findings

In light of the ACMA’s findings, the ABC plans to publish an editor’s note along with a clarification regarding the breach. Furthermore, the broadcast institution has committed to enhancing its training programs on accuracy and impartiality for news journalists. They are also set to develop advanced training specifically for investigative management.

Source: ACMA

Edited ABC Response

The ABC’s broadcasting of the story on August 19, 2024, explored the Northern Territory Government’s role in granting water licenses for cotton cultivation, particularly around Mataranka Springs and Elsey Creek. This program attracted a formal complaint to the ACMA, which determined that it disproportionately favored the views of two environmental scientists, failing to adequately present alternative scientific perspectives related to the shifts in groundwater levels and water quality at Elsey Creek.

Furthermore, the ACMA concluded that the depiction of a fire at Claravale Station implied illegal land clearing, resulting in a finding of inaccuracy in the factual assertions made. Although the ABC acknowledges that the statement should have been presented with necessary qualifications, it disputes the assertion that the statement was factually incorrect.

Source: ABC website

Source: ACMA