Is the ABC ok? Hugh Marks apologises, investigations head resigns
It's certainly been a week for the public broadcaster.
The ABC has apologised to Gina Rinehart for its broadcast of a violent video targeted at the mining magnate, within a July 12 episode of Race Around the World.
Thursday was a big day for the ABC, as it also parted ways with its head of investigations, Jo Puccini, amid the scandal about Four Corners journalist Mahmood Fazal.
The ABC vs Gina Rinehart
The ABC finally gave Rinehart what she wanted/deserved, an apology, after two weeks of stalling.
CEO Hugh Marks said yesterday, “While the (ABC) ombudsman has found that the film did not breach the ABC’s editorial policies, the ABC acknowledges the episode has fallen short of community expectations.
“The ABC apologises to Mrs Rinehart and to anyone else affected or upset by the publication of the film.”
In the controversial video, made by contestant Kate McGuinness, a fantasy of violence against Australia's richest woman is played out.
“Because when the revolution comes, will you hide under your bed or will you know exactly how to shove a stick right up Gina Rinehart’s butthole, stirring it round, mixing her guts up nice and smooth, making her into one big sausage roll, to make something outta nothing,” Ms McGuinness says in the clip.
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Kate McGuinness/A still from the clip about Gina Rinehart. Image: ABC/Instagram
Mcguinness apologised for the video last week, admitting that her “jokes do not land with everyone”.
“In no way was it my intention to promote violence. My writing is cartoonish and always satirical,” Ms McGuinness said in a statement.
The ABC then asked the broadcaster’s independent ombudsman to review whether the short film had breached the ABC’s editorial guidelines.
On Thursday, the ombudsman ruled that while some may have found the depiction of the assault “confronting”, it did not alter the “overall conclusion that a reasonable audience member would be unlikely to understand the comments as a genuine endorsement, encouragement or threat of violence”.
“The ‘punch’ line of the film is a hyperbolic joke that uses an obviously absurd or impossible scenario that a reasonable audience member would not understand as a genuine encouragement or threat of violence,” ombudsman Fiona Cameron said in her ruling.
“However, in context, the target of the satire appeared to be Mrs Rinehart’s public profile and status within contemporary political and economic debates rather than her gender.
“The remarks did not draw upon gender-based stereotypes, nor were they framed in terms of hostility towards women as a group.”
The ABC apologises to Rinehart
Marks, who along with ABC chairman Kim Williams had kept out of the drama until Thursday, said he would be amending editorial guidelines about violence.
“As part of our review of this matter, we have considered whether the guidance in the ABC Editorial Policies adequately reflects current community expectations,” Marks said.
“We have also considered whether the relevant guidance sufficiently distinguishes between news and non-news content.
“As a result, the ABC will amend its guidance as it applies to violence.
“The film has been edited on the ABC’s platforms to remove the relevant material.”
Appearing on the ABC Radio North Queensland late on Thursday afternoon, Marks said the broadcaster’s guidelines will now demand that “no individual should be the subject of comedy that is violent in its description”.
Mahmood Fazal. Image: Instagram
The ABC vs Mahmood Fazal
News of Puccini’s departure was delivered in an email to staff at 4.01pm, when Marks was appearing on ABC NQ to talk about the “satirical” video.
In the all-staff email, Puccini said she was “proud of the journalism I’ve helped produce and the impact it’s had on helping our audience understand the issues and events that affect them.
“It’s been an adventure and a privilege to work at the national broadcaster, an institution where I’ve made lifelong friends. It’s now time for a new chapter in my career.”
Puccini’s departure comes after the ABC sacked former bikie Mahmood Fazal as a reporter on Four Corners in May over concerns of his credibility, before more recently removing two of the stories he created with the show.
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