ACMA finds Four Corners breached impartiality rules in War Memorial story – The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that the ABC breached its impartiality obligations in a Four Corners episode about the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial.
The regulator’s finding concerns the 10 March 2025 episode, Sacrifice. It said the program unduly favoured one perspective through the way it presented aspects of the redevelopment project, including findings from an Australian National Audit Office report, the consultation process and the selection and treatment of interviewees.
The decision is a notable development for the ABC’s flagship investigative program. It does not find that the episode was inaccurate in every respect; rather, the ACMA concluded that the cumulative framing of a contentious issue failed the ABC Code of Practice standard for due impartiality.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said investigative journalism plays an important role in scrutinising matters of public interest, but that Four Corners must still meet its obligations under the Code.
“Investigative journalism plays an important role in scrutinising matters in the public interest. However, the ABC must present contentious issues with due impartiality and provide audiences with sufficient context,” O’Loughlin said.
According to the ACMA, the program’s framing, use of strong and emotive language, and selection and differing treatment of interviewees had the cumulative effect of favouring critics of the redevelopment. The authority said the episode did not adequately explain the findings of the audit by the Australian National Audit Office and instead focused predominantly on its deficiencies.
The regulator also found that the program conflated different stages of the redevelopment consultation process. It said that was likely to leave viewers confused about the accuracy of claims made by the Memorial director.
However, the ACMA did not uphold an accuracy complaint about the episode’s use of Last Post audio alongside footage and sounds of construction work.
It is the second ACMA finding this year that a Four Corners program breached the ABC Code of Practice. In March, the authority published a finding that the 2024 Water Grab episode breached the Code’s accuracy and impartiality requirements.
The ABC has advised that it disagrees with the finding on Sacrifice and does not propose to take remedial action. O’Loughlin said the ACMA was disappointed by that position and expected the broadcaster to consider possible improvements in response to regulatory findings.
The ACMA is considering whether to take a formal regulatory response. Under broadcasting legislation, it may recommend remedial action for a breach of the ABC’s Code, but it cannot compel the national broadcaster to act.
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