ABC managing director David Anderson has ordered an independent investigation following revelations that the broadcaster added extra gunshots to audio it used to wrongly claim former Australian Commando Heston Russell had committed war crimes.
7News Spotlight revealed the doctored audio last Sunday which prompted a “please explain” from federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
ABC removed the story and video offline while it investigated but has now announced a formal review.
“A series of allegations and concerns have been raised regarding a September 2022 ABC News online article and 7.30 story regarding operations by the 2nd Commando Regiment during a 2012 deployment in Afghanistan, which included helmet cam footage captured by the commandos,” Anderson said in a statement.
“An issue with the audio on a video accompanying the online story was first brought to the attention of ABC News last week and it immediately looked into the claims. Based on preliminary inspection, an editing error in the audio was identified and we have removed the video. This error should not have occurred.
“Other allegations have subsequently been made about the ABC’s reporting and use of the helmet cam footage, including how it was edited in the 7.30 broadcast.
“It has now come to my attention that in November 2022, ABC Legal was sent a letter raising concerns about the audio editing. Regrettably, at no point was this letter, or the information in the letter, disseminated to ABC News.
“The ABC is subject to the highest scrutiny, as it should be, given the trust the public places in it. Trust in the ABC has been built over time by providing outstanding journalism, upholding the strongest editorial standards and being transparent with the public about how we do that. The ABC is committed to maintaining that trust.
“I am now commissioning an independent review of the issues that have been raised with the online and broadcast story to fully understand what has occurred and make any necessary recommendations.
“The public interest issues raised by the stories remain valid. The ABC is removing the full online article and associated video content until further notice.
“Further information on the review will be provided and I will give an update on the findings at an appropriate time.
“I will be providing an update regarding who will heading up the independent review in the coming days.”
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