ABC says ACMA finding will have 'chilling effect' on journalism
The ABC has rejected a finding by the media watchdog that a Four Corners program on the Australian War Memorial's redevelopment breached impartiality obligations.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ruled that the ABC's Four Corners program, "Sacrifice," breached impartiality obligations in its March 2025 episode regarding the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial. ABC managing director Hugh Marks has rejected these findings, expressing concern that if applied broadly, they could have a chilling effect on investigative journalism.
The ACMA stated that the program unduly favored one perspective, did not adequately explain the Australian National Audit Office audit findings, and conflated stages of the memorial's redevelopment. ACMA chair Nerida O'Loughlin emphasized that while the episode did not breach accuracy requirements, Four Corners still needed to comply with impartiality obligations under the ABC code of practice.
The ABC maintains that the regulator misinterpreted the policies governing its content and that the findings are unprecedented and unworkable.
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