ABC admits ‘editorial error’ in cross promotion of Micallef’s Mad as Hell on ABC News

March 3, 2015 9:57

The ABC has conceded it made an “editorial error” in broadcasting a three minute satirical clip from Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell during its news broadcast.

The public broadcaster’s own show Media Watch last night reprimanded the ABC over the inclusion of a clip mocking the Coalition Medicare co-payment plan in ABC 24’s Morning News, ABC News Breakfast and ABC Midday news program.

“It is appropriate to cross-promote another ABC program if content from that program has been used in a news program but the Micallef clip was not appropriate,” an ABC spokeswoman said in response to questions about the program from Media Watch.

Be a member to keep reading

Join Mumbrella Pro to access the Mumbrella archive and read our premium analysis of everything under the media and marketing umbrella.

Become a member

Nic Christensen

Nic Christensen worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2016, in roles including deputy editor and media & technology editor. He is former media writer for The Australian and has also worked as a reporter for The Daily Telegraph and senior producer for Radio 2GB.

Topics

6 COMMENTS

CJ 3 Mar 15

ABC news makes an “editorial error” almost every Monday when it uses the 7pm News to promote either 4 Corners or Australian Story (both NewsCaff productions) in the form of an extended “news item”. It’s blatant hypocrisy and it’s been going on for years. They’ve started doing the same with 7.30 as well.

EFG 3 Mar 15

Meh, this is an issue? The content on commercial rivals is nothing *but* ads, bookended by ads.

And when Foxtel and Nine and Fairfax and News and all the rest have crumbled to digital dust, we’ll still have the ABC, ad free.

User ID not verified.

Jackie 3 Mar 15

Exactly EFG. This is getting confusing…do the neo-cons want the ABC to be more like a commercial station? Or do they want it to stay an independent, authoritative news source?

Oh that’s right, they actually want it gone so they can increase their profits and monopolize the sector.

I expect several follow up articles with details of how the tabloid current affairs programs are making editorial mistakes many times per episode. Oh, they don’t actually do internal reviews? And if they did they would never release the findings publicly

User ID not verified.

Cannes(d) Laughter 3 Mar 15

Hey Jackie
Agree 100%

User ID not verified.

Lindsay. 3 Mar 15

It is a bit hard to follow your argument CJ. Both 4 Corners and Australian Story are news shows, so what is wrong in promoting them in the News? Especially as the promos also include news. Micallef’s Mad as Hell is a comedy show it falls into a totally different category.

User ID not verified.

JG 4 Mar 15

Thank goodness the commercial broadcasters don’t promote their comedy channels ensuring news independence.

Hang on, late breaking news.

What’s that? They do?!?!

Now over to the weather for more on this storm in a teacup.