“The allegation of war crimes against Israel at the moment is obviously a credible allegation. There are all sorts of credible people and organisations out there who are saying that,in their opinion,what Israel is doing is a war crime,but it’s only an opinion. But it’s an opinion which has got enough basis,in fact,that it’s credible enough for us to be reporting it.”
Another issue raised related to a concern among journalists that there was a blanket ban on reporters using the word “Palestine”,and general confusion about what language the broadcaster had signed off on.
A number of journalists from Muslim and Arab backgrounds expressed concern that a perception the ABC was too pro-Israel had impacted their relationships with communities and their ability to do their jobs. Another staff member voiced concerns the broadcaster has made “possibly irreparable damage” to the trust it has built with the Australian Muslim community over the years with its reporting.
In response to questions about how the organisation is verifying claims it publishes,particularly on its live blog,ABC senior editors acknowledged they removed a specialist verification team after it noted the impact it was having on its staff – particularly junior members of staff. Instead,the organisation was relying on the ad-hoc advice of former Middle East correspondents.
Gavin Fang,the ABC’s deputy news director,said he and news leaders acknowledged the broadcaster doesn’t get it right all the time,“but we want to try and get it right,and that’s why I’m sitting here wanting to hear from you all”.
“I don’t want you to feel like we aren’t listening,and we are not taking this seriously,” Fang said. “We absolutely are. We think it’s vitally important to try to get this right.”
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Another common thread in the meeting was the feeling among ABC journalists that spokespeople from different organisations were held to different standards on flagship ABC programs.In particular,journalists pointed to7.30 host Sarah Ferguson’s interviews with pro-Israel voices and argued many of their claims were unchallenged unlike interviews with pro-Palestinian voices.
A spokesperson for the ABC said all interviews are approached with the same intention of providing the most accurate and relevant information from a diversity of perspectives “to cover this unfolding,deeply shocking and tragic situation”.
News director Justin Stevens further defended the7.30 host,noting her “superb job” covering the unfolding crisis.
“She’s broken news,set the agenda with her interviewing and applied the highest editorial standards. Sarah’s skills put her up there with the best broadcasters in the world for long-form interviewing. Her reputation and record speaks for itself over decades.”
Even ABC staff who raised criticisms of the organisation’s coverage told this masthead they were thankful for the opportunity to raise their concerns and hoped management would take them on board.
A likely outcome from the meeting will be an updated editorial guidance note circulated to staff that addresses a number of issues raised,including the appropriateness of certain forms of language,ensuring adequate context and addressing the issue of false balance.
The ABC spokesperson said editorial guidance meetings are held regularly on a range of issues,particularly for major news events. “Guidance will continue to be provided and updated and we’ll ensure it’s easily accessible to all News staff.”