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ABC executive admits Chaser sketch was her call

Head of Arts, Entertainment & Comedy, has conceded responsibility for ABC editorial processes involving The Chaser's episode last week.

abc_logo2Amanda Duthie, the ABC’s Head of Arts, Entertainment & Comedy, has conceded responsibility for the editorial processes of The Chaser’s War on Everything episode last week.

On Monday evening, Media Watch pointed out that ABC guidelines state that controversial material needs to be referred upwards, all the way to the Managing Director if necessary.

Duthie, who is responsible to Courtney Gibson, the network’s executive head of content creation, confirmed that she had viewed the Make A Realistic Wish sketch and failed to refer it upwards.

ABC Editorial Policies 2009 notes: Staff involved in satirical content need to consider the potential for satire to cause harm to groups or individuals and should refer upwards as required in accordance with 4.1.4.

4.1.14 says: If content is controversial or likely to have an extraordinary impact, the most appropriate senior manager should be notified in advance…

Duthie’s answers to Media Watch enquiries are staggeringly brief: confined to four “yes / no” and two “N/A” responses.

MW: Do you normally view episodes (or insert segments and scripts) of ‘The Chaser’s War on Everything’ before they go to air?
AD: Yes

MW: Were you notified about its impending broadcast under editorial policy 4.1.4?
AD: Yes

MW: If the answer to either question 3 or 4 is ‘yes’, did you either refer a decision up to, or notify, ABC Television’s Executive Head of Content Creation, Courtney Gibson and/or the Director of Television?
AD: No

MW: Editorial policy 4.1.2 states: If staff do not refer the issue upward, he or she will be responsible for the editorial decision made. Do you take responsibility for the decision to broadcast the skit in question? If not, does the ABCs executive producer, Sophia Zachariou? In either case, what consequences are likely?
AD:Yes

Apologies have been issued by the network, the team and ultimately having the show suspended for two weeks.

Source: Mumbrella, Media Watch

5 Responses

  1. A mature society can point out when a show might be pushing limits (for some people) but a mature society also knows when to get over it and move on…

    We haven’t made a joke of someones religion or anything… Hmmm, actually we can accept religious jokes as a society and criticise other nations for being restrictive and not having a sense of humour, then this happens… The jokes on us.

  2. Why is this even an issue? Did the sketch breach any classification codes etc? No. Was the sketch illegal? No. Have similar sketches/scenes/jaokes aired on the other networks without any backlash whatsoever? Yes.

  3. Isn’t it funny how we all have a chuckle and belly laugh when the Chaser guys breach national security, but are horrified when they perform a dark satire on children’s charities with kid actors in makeup?

    Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

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