ABC management found itself in the hot seat at yesterday’s Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra.
The four-hour session primarily focused on the aftermath of ABC’s Coronation coverage and the subsequent departure of Stan Grant from Q+A.
Since the controversial broadcast, ABC has received 169 good faith, actionable complaints, defined as honest grievances about the content. Out of these, 110 complaints were of a general nature. The remaining 59, which raised potential issues with Editorial Policies, have been forwarded to the Ombudsman’s Office for further investigation.
Alongside these complaints, approximately 1800 audience contacts have been made. However, over 1100 of these contained racist or abusive content, or did not articulate a substantial issue.
In the Senate Esimates hearing, Managing Director David Anderson admitted there were differing opinions about the timing of the broadcast, though he defended the corporation’s right to hold the debate.
“Some people believed the discussion was ill-timed,” he stated. “Others felt the conversation was appropriate but unexpected, indicating that we may not have set the audience’s expectations effectively.”
Regardless of these sentiments, Anderson stood by the decision to hold the discussion, believing it was necessary.
“Some suggested that the debate should have taken place on a different day, but I argue that the chosen day was entirely suitable,” he said.
The eight-hour coverage reflected a diverse range of perspectives from the Australian community. Stan Grant, who participated as a guest panelist, was present not as the host of Q+A but for his personal experience and understanding of Australia’s First Nations peoples. Anderson affirmed,
“In my opinion, Grant’s involvement was editorially justified, relevant, and appropriate.”
