Ms Buttrose said the decision was timely. “The ABC’s role as an independent public broadcaster is integral to the strength of our democracy. That role requires the most robust of accountability processes.”
The review is expected to examine how well the ABC manages external complaints and feedback about compliance with its editorial standards. It will also consider areas such as training,remedies and actions taken. The decision to commence the review was signed off at a board meeting last Wednesday.
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Complaints made about the ABC’s coverage are currently handled internally by its audience and consumer affairs division. Complainants who are dissatisfied with the outcome can refer the complaint to the Australian Communications and Media Authority. At SBS,where Mr Carroll worked until the end of last year,complaints about programming are handled by an internal ombudsman and are escalated to the ACMA if a complainant is unsatisfied.
The ABC’s process has come under particular scrutiny in recent months from various lobby groups,politicians and companies.
The Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) called for reform of the ABC’s complaints policy in July after the internal division dismissed claims of bias and lack of impartiality on an episode ofQ&A.The effectiveness of the arm was scrutinised again after it dismissed a complaint about an investigative series on the 1979 Luna Park tragedy by former editor and advisor to Mr Wran,Milton Cockburn. It led to an external review,which found that although the piece of work was important,it had left viewers with the impression former NSW Premier Neville Wran was complicit in a cover-up of the fire.