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Ray Martin to lead ABC Q&A review, as program EP given warning over broadcast

Screen Shot 2015-07-01 at 4.19.09 pmThe board of the ABC has this afternoon issued a statement on the controversy surrounding political talk show Q&A and the appearance of former terrorism suspect Zaky Mallah. 

In the statement, the board of the public broadcaster announces that television journalist Ray Martin and former SBS managing director Shaun Brown will lead the review and also reveals that Q&A executive producer Peter McEvoy has received a formal warning for misconduct.

“The Board agrees with ABC management’s statement last week that the decision to allow Zaky Mallah to appear live on the program was wrong… ” said the board.

“There was inadequate consideration given to important issues around his presence in the studio, considering his previous actions, his desire for the media spotlight and some of his public comments.”

“He should not have been allowed to participate in the program from the studio audience.”

In the statement the ABC board reaffirmed the importance of the show to the broadcaster but noted that executive producer of the show had been reprimanded and that they were in talks with the AFP over security on the show.

“The Executive Producer of Q&A acknowledges the failure of editorial process and judgment around this episode. He has received a formal warning under the misconduct provisions of the ABC’s industrial agreement.

“The ABC Board was updated today on the most recent security briefing from the AFP, which it found to be very valuable. The ABC treats security of staff and studio audiences as a top priority and will continue to consult with the appropriate agencies.”

The broadcaster also confirmed Martin and Brown’s role in the internal review of the show.

“The review will be undertaken by the former managing director of SBS, Mr Shaun Brown and the television journalist, Mr Ray Martin,” said the statement.

“Their report will be published later in the year. Its findings will continue to inform the thinking of the Board as it oversees the performance and structure of Q&A over time.

“This is part of a series of reviews commissioned annually by the ABC Board in fulfilling its requirements under the ABC Act.”

It is understood a separate review of Q&A by the Department of Communications has already been completed and has been given to the minister for communications but has not been released.

Nic Christensen 

Update 6:00pm

Last this afternoon Communication Minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a statement welcoming the review by Brown and Martin.

“I welcome their associated decision to initiate an independent review of Q&A to be undertaken by the former Managing Director of SBS, Mr Shaun Brown and the distinguished television journalist, Mr Ray Martin,” said Turnbull.

Full ABC board statement:

The ABC Board has reviewed the chronology of events relating to the Q&A program broadcast on Monday 22 June.

The Board agrees with ABC management’s statement last week that the decision to allow Zaky Mallah to appear live on the program was wrong.

The nature of the Q&A broadcast made this program different to Mallah’s other media appearances.

Given his criminal background and past public statements, the live broadcast meant that the ABC was not in a position to manage unpredictable or inappropriate actions or responses.

There was inadequate consideration given to important issues around his presence in the studio, considering his previous actions, his desire for the media spotlight and some of his public comments.

He should not have been allowed to participate in the program from the studio audience.

In addition, as the Q&A program indicated on Monday 29 June, the vetting of Mallah failed to detect some comments on social media that should have confirmed him as an inappropriate studio guest.

The issues involved with considering Mallah’s appearance should have been referred up to senior management in the television division under the ABC’s Editorial Policies.

The Executive Producer of Q&A acknowledges the failure of editorial process and judgment around this episode. He has received a formal warning under the misconduct provisions of the ABC’s industrial agreement.

The ABC Board was updated today on the most recent security briefing from the AFP, which it found to be very valuable. The ABC treats security of staff and studio audiences as a top priority and will continue to consult with the appropriate agencies.

Any future advice will be considered by management’s risk committee and the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee.

To the extent that any changes to security procedures are recommended, they will be implemented immediately.

The Future of Q&A

Q&A is an important program in the ABC television schedule. It attracts a large, loyal and engaged audience. The Board considers that the program should have a long future on the ABC and decisions to make any changes to its format and operational practices should be made after careful consideration.

As announced prior to last week’s broadcast, the ABC Board had determined that a comprehensive independent review of the Q&A program should take place, looking at full range of programs over the first half of 2015.

In looking at the show’s performance over 22 episodes, the review will take into account the key editorial decisions that impact on the delivery of the program including:

  • audience selection;
  • panel selection and make-up
  • subject selection
  • social media strategy, including on-air tweets

The review will be undertaken by the former Managing Director of SBS, Mr Shaun Brown and the television journalist, Mr Ray Martin.

Their report will be published later in the year. Its findings will continue to inform the thinking of the Board as it oversees the performance and structure of Q&A over time.

This is part of a series of reviews commissioned annually by the ABC Board in fulfilling its requirements under the ABC Act.

Full Malcolm Turnbull statement:

The ABC is independent of Government and its management is responsible to the Board of Directors.

In particular section 8 of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 requires the Board to ensure that “the gathering and presentation by the Corporation of news and information is accurate and impartial according to the recognised standards of objective journalism”.

Today’s Board Statement concerning the Q&A program of the 22nd of June shows that the Directors have met, considered the issues relating to that program in the light of their statutory responsibilities and taken some action. This follows an investigation by the Department of Communications.

I welcome their associated decision to initiate an independent review of Q&A to be undertaken by the former Managing Director of SBS, Mr Shaun Brown and the distinguished television journalist, Mr Ray Martin.

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