SBS apologises over report around Israeli PM
SBS ombudsman finds a news report breached the SBS Code of Practice.
- Published by David Knox
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SBS has apologised following a complaint about SBS World News made by The Australia / Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.
The council made a formal complaint after a July 10 broadcast of SBS World News misrepresented statements by Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
SBS ombudsman Sally Begbie found the report breached the SBS Code of Practice.
In the story reporter Hannah Sinclair said “regional foes – like the Israeli Prime Minister – have issued military threats in response” to increased uranium enrichment by Iran.
Her statement was followed by footage of Netanyahu standing in front of an F35 fighter jet saying, “Iran should remember that these planes can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran, and certainly Syria.”
AIJAC Executive Director Dr. Colin Rubenstein said, “This was a gross misrepresentation of the context in which Netanyahu made his remarks.” He explained that, as AIJAC’s complaint demonstrated, Netanyahu was at the Nevatim airbase, and was responding to recent threats by Iranian officials and lawmakers to destroy Israel, not Iran’s increased uranium enrichment.
In response to the breach Director of News and Current Affairs, Jim Carroll, reminded his editorial staff of the need to ensure accuracy is maintained even when editing material to fit tight time requirements.
“He has asked that I assure you that such errors in the production process are rare and that this has caused his news team to reflect on their professional practices,” Sally Begbie advised the complainant.
Source: JWire
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5 Responses
Not sure if the ABC would have done that!…..apologized
But for a journalist to refer to the leader of another country as a “regional foe” is frankly stupid and unprofessional. Journalists ought to stick to reporting the facts impartially instead of using unnecessarily emotive and provocative language that, particularly if relayed internationally, can arouse fear and cause unnecessary friction.
I’m impressed. SBS has a decent journalistic standards and an ombudsman enforce them. That makes them the only media organisation that does!
Isn’t Hannah Sinclair a 9News reporter?
2 different people but share the same name. Hannah Sinclair the 9News reporter in Sydney used to be in Perth.