The ABC is considering filing a complaint with the Australian Press Council over media reports in The Australian, Crikey understands, after anonymous quotes were published suggesting the broadcaster’s diversity efforts had compromised its news coverage.
On Saturday the ABC hit back at reporting in The Australian on the broadcaster’s restructure — a report that led with the redundancy of political editor Andrew Probyn, whose role will be nixed as part of the biggest organisational shake-up in six years.
The story, which the ABC branded “offensive”, cited anonymous sources who criticised the decision to axe Probyn, and suggested his number was called after “standing up to management” over “stupid” editorial and staffing decisions.
The ABC said the comments did not represent its values and accused the story’s authors of omitting a response from ABC news boss Justin Stevens, who is said to have told them all ABC journalists meet the highest standards and earn their opportunities.
“In addition to that, as the national public broadcaster it’s incumbent on us to accurately tell the story of our nation and reflect a diversity of perspectives,” Stevens said in a statement released by the ABC.
“We seek a diversity of talented people in our workforce to ensure our team reflects Australia and to make our journalism better, more relevant, and more accurate. To suggest that anyone on the ABC news team is a ‘diversity hire’ to ‘meet a target’ or to ‘tick a box’ is completely wrong and offensive.”
The ABC said the reporting could breach Press Council principles three and four in that it was not presented with fairness and balance, and that the paper failed to offer reasonable space for a reply.
One of the article’s authors, media editor for The Australian James Madden, has been contacted for comment.
Consideration of a formal complaint by ABC leadership marks escalating tensions between the broadcaster and The Australian, which last month led a campaign of sustained criticism lashing the ABC’s coronation coverage, and then-Q+A host Stan Grant’s role in it.
The decision to axe Probyn’s role drew broad criticism from federal political reporters current and former. Chief political correspondent at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age David Crowe said on Twitter that Probyn was treated “shabbily” by an organisation that should know better. The Australian Financial Review’s political editor Phillip Coorey called the move a “disgrace”.
The office of Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she had requested a briefing from ABC management on the restructure — part of the ABC’s five-year plan — after it was announced last week.
“The ABC ultimately has operational independence and it is a matter for ABC management to determine how to structure the organisation within their funding envelope to meet the changing needs of audiences,” a spokesperson told Crikey.
The briefing is expected to take place once the parliamentary sitting week wraps up for the winter break, Crikey understands, and will be the second briefing Rowland has had on the restructure after standard guidance was provided to her ahead of the announcement.
Probyn’s role is one of two “broadcast-focused” roles based in Canberra on the chopping block, among 40 roles across the ABC’s news division.
The ABC’s Parliament House bureau, according to a change proposal seen by Crikey, was previously operating in an “outdated, top-heavy structure” too focused on linear television, recommending Probyn and a television editor be ousted in favour of three new digital and social content creation roles.
The incoming producers’ jobs will be to reach audiences with political news on “the platforms they’re increasingly using”.
According to an email sent to staff by Stevens and seen by Crikey, further changes include a renewed focus on state and territory politics, including the return of Stateline, as well as the formation of a climate, environment and energy team.
A notable casualty of the news-side changes was the standalone ABC arts team, which will be disbanded and reintegrated across the newsroom.
In an email to staff on Thursday seen by Crikey, ABC managing director David Anderson said the changes were “necessary for the longer term”, as the national broadcaster comes up against the same economic headwinds faced by other media organisations.
Has the ABC made a mistake by getting rid of its political editor, or do you agree its federal politics coverage needs a shake-up? Let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
