ACMA finds ABC 7.30 in breach over MyBudget broadcast

March 12, 2015 2:36

Media watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found the ABC’s 7.30 program was in breach of the ABC Code of Practice, ruling it did not give a personal budgeting business right of reply to allegations of mismanagement and neglect.

The program, broadcast on 9 December 2013, focused on the rise of commercial debt management firms and highlighted MyBudget, a website providing services to people in financial difficulty.,

The ACMA found a breach of standard 5.3 of the Code as MyBudget was not given the opportunity to provide a response to specific allegations by two former clients that its actions were improper or negligent. It also found these allegations were in the category captured by standard 5.3, which requires reasonable efforts to be made in the circumstances to provide a fair opportunity to respond.

The watchdog found no breach of ABC Code obligations relating to accuracy, impartiality and informing participants of the general nature of their participation in its story.

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