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Sunday Night in breach of industry code

Media watchdog finds report into crime by 'African gangs' was inaccurate.

A Sunday Night report into ‘African Gangs’ has breached the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice for inaccuracy.

The July report stated there has been a considerable increase in crime by ‘African gangs’ and that they were responsible for ‘an alarming surge in violent crime’ in Victoria.

But the Australian Communications and Media Authority found that while an increase in crime was correct, the comment that they were responsible for the surge was not supported.

“Viewers deserve to know that news and current affairs programs contain factual statements that are accurate. It is unacceptable for news and current affairs programs to broadcast statements that may mislead audiences,” said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin.

In July Melbourne’s African communities staged a protest outside Seven Docklands headquarters.

At the time a Seven spokesperson said, “Sunday Night stands by every element of the report broadcast last week. It was a fair and factual report that gave context to an ongoing and important issue in Melbourne.”

While ACMA says it is unacceptable, it has only instructed Seven to bring the breach to the attention of its news staff, and include it as an example in training courses…

2 Responses

  1. And no actual penalty. Classic. How would ACMA even know if 7 bothered to mention it to their staff or bring it up in training courses, given that they won’t even accept they exaggerated the story?

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