2023AprilABC News, 7th March 2023Summary published: 4th April 2023

Complaint: A complainant challenged the accuracy of an ABC Newcastle news report which stated that Anambah House in Maitland was being considered for listing on the NSW Heritage Register.

Complaint: An RN listener raised accuracy concerns in relation to a segment Anti-semitism on the rise.

Complaint: A complainant raised concerns that the online story Bruny Island land clearing unites locals in opposition, as developer fined was inaccurate and defamatory.

Complaint: An ABC News Channel viewer complained about the lack of warning prior to distressing footage.

Complaint: An ABC Radio Melbourne listener raised concern that the ABC broadcast a news report on an undercover video released by US-based group Project Veritas and described the group as an investigative news organisation.

Complaint: Two ABC Radio Perth listeners complained that an interview included inappropriate content for the timeslot in which it was aired.

Complaint: Several audience members complained about ABC coverage of a town meeting in Alice Springs. Concerns raised included that coverage unduly favoured one perspective at the meeting that it was racist and failed to fully inform the audience of the range of relevant views at the event. Some complainants also said that an inaccurate estimate of the number of attendees at the meeting was reported.

Complaint: An ABC NewsRadio listener complained that a report inaccurately made a link between Z t-shirts worn by a small number of Australian Open spectators and antisemitism.

Complaint: An ABC Radio listener complained that a news report provided an inaccurate reason as to why the Australian public will be voting in a referendum on the Voice to Parliament.

Complaint: A triple j listener challenged the accuracy of a News report about a Sam Smith concert paid for by the South Australian government.

Complaint: An audience member complained that a report from the Garma Festival in 2022 inaccurately stated that Aboriginal Australians were granted citizenship under the 1967 Referendum.

Complaint: Two listeners complained that the presenter was critical of the gifting of watches by the former CEO of Australia Post while endorsing the former Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his actions regarding the matter.

Complaint: Two viewers challenged the accuracy of a statement that Australia is the largest carbon emitter per capita in the world.

Complaint: An ABC Radio Hobart listener challenged the accuracy of statements made by the presenter in relation to the late mining magnate Lang Hancock and his daughter Gina Rinehart.

Complaint: Two online readers complained that the ABC North West Qld story Queensland kangaroo harvesters struggling to keep up with demand lacked impartiality and contained multiple inaccuracies.

Complaint: An ABC Far North listener complained that a segment included inappropriate commercial references.

Complaint: Two complainants raised privacy concerns in relation to a story about a court hearing: Gregory Roser claims he feared for his own life as he fed Bruce Saunderss body through woodchipper.

Complaint: An ABC Radio Brisbane listener expressed concern about the inclusion of coarse language in a segment.

Complaint: A Double J listener complained that a track with inappropriate content was played on a Sunday afternoon.

Complaint: An ABC Central Victoria listener complained that a court report relating to charges of sexual assault and rape included inappropriately explicit details of the alleged offences.

Complaint: A complainant said that the report Flood victims frustrated at lack of buyback detail inaccurately stated that the NSW Independent Flood Inquiry 2022 criticised the Bureau of Meteorologys rain and river gauges as not fit for purpose.

Complaint: An ABC Radio Sydney listener pointed out inaccuracies across two segments in relation to a recent overseas trip by the Prime Minister.

Complaint: A complainant raised concerns about ABC Gippsland Breakfast content, including that it inaccurately associated the East Gippsland Shire Councils Service Centre and Library Review with its Draft Budget, that the presenter expressed a biased view, and that the Council was not afforded a timely right of reply to claims made about its Draft Budget proposal to increase charges for the Raymond Island ferry.

Complaint: Two complainants raised concerns about an ABC Sport story originally published with the headline Trans womens participation in sport has been framed as an election issue. This is what the science says. The concerns included that the story inaccurately minimised performance differences in sport between cisgender and transgender women and that it lacked impartiality.

Complaint: A viewer expressed concern that a story on the heatwave in Europe included footage from Spain that showed a man on fire running from a wildfire that was gaining momentum.

Complaint: A viewer complained that a story which focussed on a violent confrontation between the Israeli police and mourners at the funeral of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh lacked context and showed anti-Israel bias.

Complaint: An ABC RN listener complained that a news item stated that The Palestinian Authority advised that a seventeen year old youth was shot by Israeli troops but failed to present comment from the Israeli authorities.

Complaint: A viewer expressed concern that a report on coercive control inappropriately included footage of the burning car in which a victim and her three children were murdered.

Complaint: A listener complained that a caller to the program made false claims regarding COVID-19 death statistics and vaccinations without being corrected by the program presenter.

Complaint: An online reader complained that the headline of an ABC Rural story about a cotton grower who was fined by the water regulator for stealing water inaccurately stated that the grower was fined for stealing water in drought.

Complaint: Four viewers complained that a report about an AFL players conduct that caused him to receive a fine from the Collingwood Football Club inappropriately included offensive footage of the players behaviour.

Complaint: Four viewers complained that reports inaccurately described Nick Kyrgios as having a chance to become the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt twenty years ago to win the Wimbledon tournament.

Complaint: A viewer complained that a report inaccurately stated that millions of Russians had left Russia due to the conflict with Ukraine.

Complaint: An ABC NewsRadio listener challenged the accuracy of a reporters reference to Victorians being subject to no grounds evictions.

Complaint: An online reader complained that the story Anthony Albanese extends term of General Angus Campbell as Chief of the Defence Force inaccurately stated that the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Forces (IGADF) Afghanistan Inquiry report found that Australian special forces murdered at least 39 prisoners and civilians during the Afghanistan war.

Complaint: An online reader complained that the story Scott Morrisons use of blessed thrust NDIS back into spotlight, raising questions neither side is prepared to answer inaccurately stated that there is no Medicare-style levy to help pay for the NDIS.

Complaint: A listener complained that a caller to the program made racist comments and that the presenter failed to challenge or correct him.

Complaint: A complainant said that a triple j newsreader misrepresented Simon Holmes Courts involvement in funding the teal independent candidates campaigns in the 2022 federal election.

Complaint: A complainant raised concerns about a discussion of the Bureau of Meteorologys operations, funding and infrastructure. The concerns included that the discussion inappropriately called into question the scientific integrity and authority of the Bureau and enabled non-experts to speculate on important matters of public safety without the Bureau being afforded an opportunity to participate. The complaint identified a number of statements expressed in the discussion which the complainant considered inaccurate.

Complaint: Several audience members complained that ABC News coverage presented across a range of programs and services inaccurately referred to a train shutdown in New South Wales as a strike.

Complaint: A complainant expressed concern about coverage of an incident in which a child was injured in a play centre. The complaint went to accuracy, impartiality, privacy and harm and offence.

Complaint: A complaint from multiple signatories raised concerns that an interview about tensions between Ukraine and Russia did not provide listeners with sufficient context about the interviewees support of the Russian leadership and its policies and repeatedly allowed him to present contestable and prejudicial opinions as facts.

Complaint: An online reader complained that the story originally headlined NT Government proposes changes that would require more builders to hold university qualifications inaccurately stated that builders would need university qualifications.

Complaint: A listener complained that a commentator made sexist comments about AFLW players.

Complaint: An ABC Radio Perth listener complained that finance reports over several days incorrectly gave the ASX figures when referring to the All Ordinaries index figures.

Complaint: An ABC Far North Queensland listener complained that an edition of Breakfast which featured coverage of the governments proposed Religious Discrimination Bill lacked balance and impartiality.

Complaint: An online reader complained that a Chinese language ABC News story was misleading and showed support for Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Complaint: A complainant raised several concerns in relation to the story Defence confirms criminal investigation into conduct of Australian commando platoon in Afghanistan, including that it contained false and misleading information.

Complaint: An ABC NewsRadio listener complained that The Hon Peter Dutton MP was inaccurately referred to as a backbencher in a news report.

Complaint: A viewer complained that a segment included misinformation in that images of US commentator Ben Shapiro were shown at the same time as reference was made to various conservative influencers in the US having made claims that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was part of a government plan to repress unvaccinated populations.

Complaint: Two listeners complained that the program included racist and offensive content.

Complaint: Nine ABC Sport listeners complained that a cricket commentator made inappropriate and sexist comments.

Complaint: A listener complained that a story Trans lives matter: Netflix staff walk off the job included factual errors, misrepresentation, and was biased.

Complaint: An ABC Radio Perth listener complained that a segment about an anti-vaccination protest at a school included an allegation that was subsequently treated as fact.

Complaint: A viewer complained that an item about a disagreement between the commonwealth and state and territory governments over hospital funding during the COVID crisis omitted relevant context and lacked impartiality.

Complaint: A complainant challenged the accuracy of a triple j Hack website post published with the headline Why is the internet so shit in the regions? The complainant also questioned the tone of the headline and its wilful mistaking of pure political spin for established fact.

Complaint: A complainant said that a story inaccurately reported his testimony to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The complainant made a subsequent complaint that a correction to the story introduced a further error.

Complaint: An audience member complained that the story What is the Elf on the Shelf and where did the Christmas tradition come from? amounted to an advertorial for a commercial product.

Complaint: A complainant said that an ABC Radio Sydney segment included misleading and inaccurate claims and provided a platform for the promotion of illegal mountain bike riding.

Complaint: A complainant said that he was mischaracterised as a conservative Christian doctor from Idaho, who specializes in diabetes in the segment The Australians transgender coverage.

Complaint: A complainant raised concerns about a story initially published with the headline Josh Frydenberg was alerted less than three months into JobKeeper that unqualified companies were receiving support, including that it contained inaccuracies, was misleading, mischaracterised JobKeeper, lacked impartiality and sought to discredit the scheme.

Complaint: A complainant raised concern that the article After leaving her marriage Maya ended up homeless and locked out of her accounts included unverified and false claims.

Complaint: An online reader complained that an analysis piece, originally published with the headline Are climate change warriors fuelling the rise of COVID 19 anti-vaxxers?, linked support for action on climate change with anti-vaccination activism without providing evidence for such a link.

Complaint: Three ABC Radio Adelaide listeners complained about an interview with an ABC presenter about his book, which included a discussion about sex work in South Australia. Concerns raised were that the interview included inaccuracies as well as degrading and misogynistic comments.

Complaint: An ABC Far North Queensland listener raised concerns about an interview with a member of Reignite Democracy Australia (RDA), including that dangerous misinformation was broadcast without being adequately challenged.

Complaint: Two viewers complained that a presenters new book was inappropriately promoted.

Complaint: A listener complained that news updates aired on ABC Radio Brisbane incorrectly stated that hundreds of people were killed in the 11 September 2001 attacks when the toll was close to three thousand.

Complaint: An ABC Far North Queensland listener complained that a contributor to a segment made racist comments and that the presenter failed to call the contributor out.

Complaint: A complainant said that the ABC Sport story Swimming Australia faces questions after tough week, but allegations of toxic culture need backing up contained numerous inaccuracies and lacked balance.

Complaint: An ABC Radio Brisbane listener complained that during discussion of the appointment of Queenslands Chief Health Officer as that states next Governor, the presenter inaccurately stated that the Queensland constitution had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and implied that the appointment was improper.

Complaint: A complainant expressed concern that during an interview with an academic on ABC Radio Newcastle, inaccurate claims were made around the use and effectiveness of ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment.

Complaint: Former Senator Cory Bernardi complained that an edition of the program included misleading and false allegations about him and that he was not given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations.

Complaint: A complainant raised accuracy and impartiality concerns in relation to a range of ABC coverage of issues relating to timber harvesting by VicForests.

Complaint: A complainant raised accuracy and impartiality concerns in relation to the ABC News story Superannuation changes have passed Parliament. Here's what that means.

Complaint: A complainant challenged the accuracy of an ABC Radio Sydney presenters statement that the Institute of Public Affairs was funded by Rupert Murdoch. The complainant also raised concern that the program made allegations without providing a fair opportunity to respond.

Complaint: An audience member expressed concern that the episode Women of the Revolution available on ABC iview unnecessarily included violent content and that a warning was not provided.

Complaint: A complainant said that an online video about the launch of the HMAS Supply was edited in way that falsely implied a dance group performed in front of dignitaries.

Complaint: A listener complained that radio news reports on AFL results inaccurately stated that St Kilda defeated Melbourne by eighteen points.

Complaint: Three viewers complained that a sports report broadcast on Good Friday included comments that were insensitive and offensive to Christians.

Complaint: An ABC News Channel viewer complained about the inclusion of distressing details in a report on the sentencing of a woman who killed her mother.

Complaint: Two ABC Radio Adelaide listeners complained that a news bulletin included instances of swearing by the news presenter.

Complaint: A listener complained that a report on the trial of the former police officer charged with the murder of US man George Floyd included inappropriate content without warning.

Complaint: A complainant raised concerns about the story JobKeeper payments for prisoners, the dead and other fraud cases probed by ATO, including that it was inaccurate on several counts, was sensationalised and misleading, lacked impartiality, and undermined the ABCs integrity.

Complaint: An ABC Radio Sydney listener complained that a presenter made comments that were offensive and racist.

Complaint: A viewer complained that a story about domestic violence and concussion included a dramatisation that was offensive and gratuitous.

Complaint: An online reader complained that the article The rise of Aldi: two decades that changed supermarket shopping in Australia appeared to be PR marketing for the company.

Complaint: Two complainants raised concerns about an edition of ABC Radio Melbournes The Conversation Hour titled Should Victorians eat kangaroo if its a native Australian animal? The concerns included that the program contained inaccuracies and that it favoured the consumption of kangaroo meat and the commercial slaughter of kangaroos.

Complaint: An ABC Radio listener complained that news reports inaccurately stated that a planned reduction in JobSeeker payments would affect two million Australians.

Complaint: An online reader expressed concern that the ABC Illawarra story Help escaping domestic violence, a simple bag of essentials called Escape bags included an insensitive and inappropriate subheading.

Complaint: Four complainants raised concerns about a story on the 2021 Victorian duck hunting season. Concerns included that the story contained inaccuracies, lacked balance and was biased against duck hunters.

Complaint: Two triple j listeners raised concerns about an interview with the front man for System of a Down, including that he made unsupported and one-sided claims about contemporary and historical conflicts between Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Complaint: Three complainants raised several concerns about an ABC Science article Deforestation in Australia: how does your state (or territory) compare?. The concerns included that the article contained inaccuracies, was misleading and was biased against forestry activities.

Complaint: A viewer expressed concern that a report covering the trial of a woman accused of murder included disturbing details.

Complaint: An ABC NEWS Channel viewer complained that an edited clip was shown during coverage of the US Presidential election campaign which misrepresented remarks made by candidate Joe Biden.

Complaint: Three ABC NEWS Channel viewers complained about a banner on a story about Cardinal George Pells return to Rome, which referred to Cardinal Pell as disgraced.

Complaint: A listener complained that a commentators reference to Gorilla Grip adhesive during a game in the AFL Indigenous round had racist implications as well as being a form of product placement.

Complaint: A complainant raised a number of concerns in relation to the publication of her opinion piece on the ABC Religion and Ethics website. The concerns included that the piece she submitted to the ABC was passed on without her knowledge or consent to a lobby group which was commissioned to write a response.

Complaint: An ABC NEWS Channel viewer expressed concern that a story on unrest in Belarus included distressing images of a mans injuries without warning.

Complaint: Several listeners complained that the program host made inaccurate claims in relation to state border controls which were in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some also complained that the hosts comments reflected bias.

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Upheld complaints - About the ABC