The proposed oversight mechanism would shift editorial scrutiny away from internal ombudsmen at ABC and SBS toward an independent external monitor. Both public broadcasters have firmly rejected the recommendation, which was previously presented to a royal commission following a fatal Hanukkah attack at Bondi Beach. During a recent Senate estimates appearance, Segal specifically flagged the tone of reporting and the use of casualty figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health. Her plan additionally seeks a government-appointed review of past reporting alongside strict speech conditions on public arts funding.
Key points
Public broadcasters face growing pressure over their reliance on Gaza Ministry of Health…: Public broadcasters face growing pressure over their reliance on Gaza Ministry of Health casualty figures during Middle East coverage.
Proposed arts sector regulations would place restrictions on the personal political activ…: Proposed arts sector regulations would place restrictions on the personal political activism of artists outside their performances.
The federal envoy maintains that independent scrutiny and a retrospective government revi…: The federal envoy maintains that independent scrutiny and a retrospective government review of reporting serve the public interest.
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The federal government’s anti-semitism envoy has proposed an “external independent ombudsman” to monitor ABC and SBS coverage of the war in Gaza, as well as codes for arts organisations to limit “personal political or ideological activism”.
In an updated plan released on Friday, Jillian Segal said Australia’s two public broadcasters should be subjected to greater oversight.
“Given the extent and seriousness of concerns about subjective, inaccurate and disproportionate reporting in accordance with its own standards, it would be in the public interest for the public broadcasters’ coverage and approach to be the subject of more detailed analysis and independent review,” Segal wrote in the new ASECA Priorities plan.
It suggests a government-appointed panel review the public broadcasters’ previous reporting and states the government should consider “transferring” responsibilities from the ABC and SBS ombudsmen. Those powers would be transferred to an “external independent ombudsman consistent with other sectors such as telecommunications and banking”.
“Many in the Jewish community remain concerned that coverage they perceive as one-directional may contribute to a negative – and even hostile – view by audiences of those…
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