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ABC News adds state-based investigative reporters

News Director also acknowledged ABC News had to be accountable for its mistakes and errors.

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ABC is stepping up its investigative reporting teams.

ABC Director of News Justin Stevens, in an address yesterday at the Melbourne Press Club said, “I’m delighted to be able to announce today that we are forming an investigative reporting team within our state-based reporting teams.

“This will comprise journalists from metro and regional teams overseen by a lead. The team would work with Investigative teams in other areas – the Investigative Reporting Team, the Regional Investigative team and specialist reporters in their locations to collaborate on investigations.

“This team’s remit is to break, value-add and elevate stories about state governance, probity and accountability at a state and local level.

“This will build on the ABC’s tremendous legacy of investigative journalism, embodied by the fearless, forensic Four Corners, which after 63 years on air still leads the pack and has grown its audience across broadcast and ABC iview over the past two years.”

However he also acknowledged ABC News had be accountable, be prepared to listen to “good faith criticism” and be “open to improvement”.

“The ABC is by far the most transparent media organisation in the country, with an extensive complaints system, and an Ombudsman who independently investigates editorial complaints and publicly reports the findings,” he said.

“Mistakes are certainly made. Missteps sometimes happen. And we must admit when we can do better.

“During our coverage of the tragic stabbings at Bondi Junction we briefly broadcast unblurred images of one of the victims which should have been blurred. It was a human error. We were, frankly, devastated it got to air.

“Just last week it was brought to our attention by Channel Seven that a video clip in an online story from two years ago had an error. A preliminary inspection suggests a section of audio was incorrectly edited.

“We removed the video and are still looking into how this happened. Once we have the full facts we will determine the appropriate response.

“Until we have clarity on how it occurred, I won’t be making further comments about it, so as to not pre-empt that.”

Photo: Emily Kulich / Melbourne Press Club

3 Responses

  1. Re: Paul Barry expressing views on Media Watch:

    I agree that if Paul Barry is unhappy about an issue (including with the ABC), he does not hesitate to come out swinging with full force.
    While I do not always agree with him, I think it healthy that he can do it.

    I like Janine Perrett as a host, and she has an appealing screen presence that fits the programme-
    However last Monday she had a number of strong stories, and while she expressed opinions, they appeared muted and partially underwhelming.

    If she is hoping for the job permanently, she will need to exhibit a little more fire in the belly –
    presenting her beliefs of the “mistakes and errors” from within the ABC, as well from external sources.

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