The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found the Four Corners episode “Water Grab” breached accuracy and impartiality provisions in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Code of Practice, following a complaint by Cotton Australia.
The episode, which aired in August 2024, examined water usage in the Northern Territory. The regulator found the program inaccurately conveyed that a pastoral station had illegally used fire to clear land for cotton production without approval.
The ACMA investigation determined the ABC did not have sufficient evidence to support that claim and did not make reasonable efforts to verify it prior to broadcast.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the findings highlighted the importance of fact-checking in current affairs reporting.
“The ABC should have stopped to consider whether it had sufficient supporting evidence to include the statement about the fire,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“This type of assertion can have a significant adverse effect on the reputations of those involved, so reasonable efforts must be made to ensure any claims are accurate and presented in context.”
“Australians expect rigorous, fair and factual reporting on complex and contested public issues. Our view is that parts of the program did not meet the ABC’s own standards for accuracy and impartiality,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
The regulator also found the program failed to present principal relevant viewpoints, with omissions of credible alternative scientific perspectives limiting the audience’s ability to assess competing evidence.
Given the complexity of the scientific and technical subject matter, the ACMA said it undertook a thorough and comprehensive investigation considering all material issues.
In response to the findings, the ABC said it would publish an editor’s note and clarification about the breach. The broadcaster has also increased its accuracy and impartiality training for news journalists and will develop advanced training for managers of investigations.
Cotton Australia said the decision followed almost 18 months of advocacy for an investigation into the program and welcomed the finding.
“The industry has a gutful of the attacks from the ABC, and based on the latest findings against the ABC, the Chair and CEO have secured a meeting with Hugh Marks, the Managing Director,” the organisation said.
The latest ruling follows an earlier breach finding against Four Corners over its “Cash Splash” episode, also after action by Cotton Australia.
Cotton Australia also criticised the ABC’s response to previous findings, noting the broadcaster had previously indicated it did not agree with regulatory conclusions.
“The response from the ABC in both instances has been to say they do not agree with the regulator. Unfortunately, ACMA has no powers to penalise the ABC as it can with commercial organisations. This almost makes the ABC above the law.”
As well as discussions with the Managing Director of the ABC, Cotton Australia will pursue change through the Communications Minister’s Office and through questioning of the ABC in Senate Estimates.
The ACMA does not have the power to impose financial penalties on the ABC but can require remedial actions such as corrections, training and process improvements.
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