Bias ! A Matter of Perspective !

The discord in the Australian Broadcasting Commission opens a sore wound that had bedevilled every side of politics since this "public broadcaster " commenced service many decades ago.   The fact that the ABC draws its funds from the public purse  makes it beholden to the government of the day, but it enjoys a degree of autonomy that ensures that it is not simply a vehicle for relaying government propaganda.

It is claimed that this mess started when former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull  objected to the views expressed by ABC journalist Emma Alberici and complained to boards chairman  Justin Milne, who emailed the ABC managing director, Michelle Guthrie with the demand that Alberici be sacked. Michelle Guthrie refused and as a consequence she was stood down from her position which commands a salary of $900,000 a year.  It is likely she will contest her sacking in the courts.

It is suggested that Justin Milne's demand for Alberici to be sacked breached the integrity of the ABC for journalistic freedom of expression and he promptly offered his resignation, leaving the board rudderless and unable to meet without the presence of a chairperson.

The fact that Australia has in the past regularly exchanged Federal governments of opposing socialist and conservative persuasion has constantly raised the question of bias.   Discussion panels have been clearly stacked with members with a particular outlook that suits the view of the convenor and as a result the outcome has been subjected to bias that offends those with a differing viewpoint.   It is quite clear that commentators inject their own view into the direction of the presentation.

That is perfectly equitable, as long as such views are evenly balanced with the opposite view also going to air but the ABC has long held a rather left wing outlook and many of its programmes are slanted in that direction.

What seems to be missing is an independent assessment into the validity of Turnbull's complaint.  Did Alberici present statistics which were wrong - and which she should have known were incorrect ?   Did she slant her presentation in a way that knowingly distorted the truth and which could be described as " fake news " designed to mislead viewers  ?

Expressing a point of view is a legitimate right upheld by our freedom of speech constitution, no matter how abhorrent that view may be to other people, but the ABC as the national broadcaster is expected to maintain a standard of accuracy to the degree that matter that goes to air will be respected.  If that is knowingly false complaints are justified.

Put simply, the  ABC is expected to deliver a higher standard than the commercial channels and radio networks.  We will never satisfy the politicians that broadcast matter is entirely fair, but the ABC should ensure that statistical matter can be justified as to its accuracy.

Bias is entirely a matter of perspective !