ACMA investigating FOX News complaint over Four Corners

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is investigating a complaint over Sarah Ferguson’s Four Corners story on FOX News.

FOX News sent a formal complaint to ABC chair Ita Buttrose and managing director David Anderson in September.

ACMA pursues cases where a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome from a broadcaster, or can instigate its own investigation.

The 36-page complaint was dismissed by the ABC last month after a 59-day process.

“The ACMA has received a complaint from FOX News Media about the Four Corners broadcast on 23 and 30 August 2021 and has commenced an investigation,” a spokesperson said.

Sarah Ferguson’s report heard from former insiders who claimed the Murdoch-owned channel became a propaganda outlet for former president Trump and destabilised US democracy.

FOX News previously said in a statement to the program, “The use of former disgruntled employees, some of whom were not part of the company during our coverage of the U.S. presidential election and its aftermath, completely discredits any credibility of this program. As for the events of January 6th, Congressional hearings and the Biden Justice Department not only did not implicate Fox, but other media companies were cited as platforms for inciting and coordinating the Capitol riots. We stand by our coverage with our millions of viewers who make us the most-watched cable television network.”

Source: The Age