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ABC Executive relieved over Chaser “error of judgement”

ABC Executive Amanda Duthie is relieved of her responsibilities for Comedy following an ABC editorial review over the Chaser sketch, but stays put in Arts & Entertainment.

chaserThe ABC has removed the Head of ABC TV Comedy, Amanda Duthie, as a result of the notorious Chaser sketch, “Make a Realistic Wish Foundation.”

Duthie identified herself as failing to notify the sketch within the ABC’s internal editorial processes. She will retain responsiblity for Arts and Entertainment programs.

The decision, made with the ABC’s Director of Television, Kim Dalton, followed a review of the processes which led to the screening of the Chaser “Make A Realistic Wish” segment last week.

ABC Managing Director Mark Scott said, “The segment should not have been broadcast. We recognise that it caused unnecessary and unreasonable hurt and offence to our viewers and the broader community and we have apologised for this.

“We have determined this was not a breakdown in our Editorial Policy processes but rather an error of judgement.”

Mr Scott said the processes are clear and amply set out in the ABC’s Editorial Policies.

“Where staff are concerned about the potential for satirical material to cause harm they should refer the matter to the next level of management. In this instance, the Head of Arts, Entertainment and Comedy reviewed the segment and did not refer it up. This was an error of judgement.”

In Monday’s Media Watch Duthie briefly acknowledged her role in the network editorialising.

ABC TV’s Executive Head of Content Creation, Courtney Gibson, will now assume direct responsibility for comedy programs until a new Head of Comedy is appointed.

Late on Wednesday, The Chaser team issued a brief statement: “20/20 hindsight is easier than 20/20 foresight. We’re sorry we put the sketch forward and we think it’s a harsh call on Amanda who had, and has, our full support.”

Today The Age reported no decision on whether the remaining eight episodes of the series would go to air after the team’s two-week suspension, or whether the show would be shortened by two episodes.

19 Responses

  1. Get off your high horse, Lea Worth.

    Did the sketch breach any regulations? No. Was the sketch illegal? No. Have shows with similar material aired on the other networks without any backlash whatsoever? Yes.

    That is what makes this an unprecedented knee-jerk overreaction.

    Additionally, the amount of free publicity that the Make-A-Wish Foundation has gotten over this witch hunt has presumably seen donations to the organisation increase dramatically.

  2. So amanda duthie is taking the rap and that will fix the problem?
    The skit would not have been made if the people concerned had any kind of integrity or compassion for their fellow man.
    As for the people who found it funny or thought that the people who objected were overreacting,— would you like to see your child suffering and dying of an incurable disease?
    What kind of a society do we have if we are rating success and money above the welfare of human beings?
    The chasers should be asked to volunteer in oncology wards so that they are able to understand just how hurtful their attempt at humour was.

  3. The ABC obviously took notes when they saw what the Beeb did recently with the similar Johnathon Ross/Russell Brand situation. The outcome is almost identical.

  4. And the ABC’s handling of this issue just gets worse and worse. First they publicly sandbag the Chaser team, then they take them off the air for two weeks, now this. If I were the Chaser boys, I’d start thinking about moving to SBS or even cable. The ABC’s lack of support for their highest-rating program is utterly disgraceful.

  5. Yes agreed, poor lady. Who is going to want this position now? Any decisions made on suitability of future Chaser content could lead to a trial by media and subsequent firing.

    And just generally, no wonder people don’t want to take responsibility for anything these days, because as soon as anything bad happens, the head hunters are out and someone has to pay for even the slightest mistakes that are made.

  6. Another over-reaction from the ABC bowing to a percieved public pressure. Any predictions on how many viewers The Chaser will pull when it returns. I’m guessing it may get 1.7-2million.

  7. Is it me or are we all de-volving with out ability to get over stuff quickly like mature adults? I was offended by the sketch but there’s only so much you can get upset about something like this. Move on! (See also: Ramsaygate).

  8. Over the last few years, comedy has been one of their main strengths. Gruen transfer and Miles Barlow are fairly recent.

    I still feel it is a fuss over nothing. What has been achieved from all this controversy?

    An executive loses her job. And I think ABC programming will be even more cautious, which is a concern given the bland ABC dramas of recent years.

    1. Yes drama has been very light, hopefully the recent budget boost addresses this. I suspect Gruen comes under Entertainment for which Duthie retains responsibility. Clearly with their Lawrence Leung production under her domain, The Chaser boys have a strong bond. It’s unfortunate one Exec has taken the blame here but it seems like ABC wanted to be seen to be acknowledging an error somewhere along its chain.

  9. I think this is a shame. She has done a great job for comedy over the last few years. I think ABC comedy has been as good as it ever was. Summer Heights High and upcoming Safran and ofcourse The Chaser. The sketch was sloppy but not worth the broo-haa. At the end of the day she has done a great job.

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