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7:30 Report slapped for lack of balance

A 2009 episode of The 7:30 Report has breached the ABC's Code of Practice for failing to present a balanced report.

An episode of The 7:30 Report has been slapped by the media watchdog for failing to present a balanced report in a story about patient care at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.

The story was covered twice in 2009 and concerned the diagnosis and treatment of a patient at St Vincent’s Hospital and a claim she suffered permanent damage as a result of the medical treatment.

The matter was the subject of litigation between the parties.

At the conclusion of the report, the ABC stated that a doctor and the hospital had declined to be interviewed on the basis that it was inappropriate to comment as the District Court had reserved its judgement.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority found a factual error in the dates of correspondence between two doctors involved in the matter.

It also found that the ABC failed to present a response from the other parties in relation to the patient’s claims about permanent damage.

The ABC also failed to respond to the letter of complaint within 60 days.

ACMA found the ABC breached its own Code of Practice.

One Response

  1. It has really got to the stage where the only news that tries to tell the truth with any consistency is the PBS news on SBS and unfortunately it’s American.
    Local truth in reporting can be found by compiling a view across every network, internet and newspaper, keeping in mind there is always an agenda then hoping you have came to the right conclusion, best of luck.

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