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Never mind The Checkout’s “dodgy” claims, as ABC partners with Swisse.

It was once the subject of a defamation case, so how can ABC still criticise companies that it now gets into bed with?

swisse

ABC is partnering with Swisse for ABC International despite defending claims in a 2013 story on The Checkout that the company’s products ‘‘highlights everything that’s wrong with the regulation of natural medicines in Australia’’.

The episode heavily criticised Swisse’s Ultiboost Appetite Suppressant, which contains an extract from an Indian cactus. It questioned why the father of the CEO of Swisse was involved in the testing of certain vitamin supplements which were marketed as being “independently tested”. The Therapeutic Goods Administration cancelled the registration of the product after it aired.

But a defamation lawsuit filed by Swisse founder Avni Sali was instigated and eventually settled. At the time ABC defended the claims, even saying in a statement that it “stands by the broadcast.”

But now everybody appears to be singing a different tune.

Yesterday Radek Sali, who made lengthy complaints against The Checkout via the editorial complaints process at the ABC, was even quoted in ABC’s release.

TV Tonight asked ABC how ABC Management including Lynley Marshall and Managing Director Michelle Guthrie could balance independent programming decisions with the commercial pressures from huge advertisers like Swisse?

An ABC spokesperson simply said, “All Australia Plus content is subject to the established and rigorous requirements of the Editorial Policies. The commercial partnerships will in no way undermine the ABC’s commitment to these policies.”

Good luck to The Checkout, currently on air, in attempting any further stories of the same ilk…

4 Responses

  1. If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. Swisse may be hoping for the ABC brand shine but I reckon they’re more likely to drag the ABC down into the mire with them. Appalling decision.

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