ABC managing director confirms investigation into doctored war footage
ABC’s outgoing MD has commissioned an independent review into a “series of allegations and concerns” raised regarding a 2022 story in which audio of gunshots was added over helmet cam footage.
The footage, captured during operations by the 2nd Commando Regiment during a 2012 deployment in Afghanistan, was the subject of a Channel Seven Spotlight investigation, which found that audio of five extra gunshots was added over footage.
“An issue with the audio on a video accompanying the online story was first brought to the attention of ABC News last week and it immediately looked into the claims,” Anderson wrote in a statement posted to the ABC website.
“Based on preliminary inspection, an editing error in the audio was identified and we have removed the video. This error should not have occurred.
“Other allegations have subsequently been made about the ABC’s reporting and use of the helmet cam footage, including how it was edited in the 7.30 broadcast.”
Anderson said it recently came to his attention that in November 2022, shortly after the footage aired, ABC Legal was “sent a letter raising concerns about the audio editing”.
Anderson added: “Regrettably, at no point was this letter, or the information in the letter, disseminated to ABC News.”
While noting “the public interest issues raised by the stories remain valid,” he said the ABC is removing the an accompanying online article and “associated video content until further notice”.
He is also “now commissioning an independent review of the issues that have been raised with the online and broadcast story to fully understand what has occurred and make any necessary recommendations”.
ABC news boss Justin Stevens addressed the controversy last week during a Melbourne Press Club address last week, conceding that “mistakes are certainly made” at the national broadcaster.
Justin Stevens. Photo Credit: Emily Kulich/Melbourne Press Club
“Just last week it was brought to our attention by Channel Seven that a video clip in an online story from two years ago had an error. A preliminary inspection suggests a section of audio was incorrectly edited,” Stevens told the Press Club.
“We removed the video and are still looking into how this happened. Once we have the full facts we will determine the appropriate response.”
The ABC initially dismissed Spotlight’s reporting when approached for a comment by the show, writing: “Given the information that has emerged this year about Spotlight’s conduct and approach to journalism we have no confidence in engaging with your program.
“We ask that the program fairly and accurately reports on the judgment of Justice Lee, observes its obligations under the Harman undertaking, and also is responsible in its reporting, so as not to incite violent or abusive behaviour towards ABC staff, noting there have been serious issues in the past.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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