ACMA Finds Four Corners Impartiality Breach

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that the ABC breached its impartiality obligations in a Four Corners episode examining the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial. The regulator said the program unduly favoured critics of the project through its framing, language and treatment of interviewees.

The finding relates to the episode “Sacrifice,” broadcast on 10 March 2025. ACMA said the program did not adequately explain an Australian National Audit Office report, focused predominantly on its shortcomings and conflated different stages of the redevelopment’s consultation process.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said investigative journalism was important but that the ABC’s Code of Practice required contentious issues to be presented with due impartiality and sufficient context. The regulator also found that the episode did not breach accuracy requirements over its use of Last Post audio alongside construction footage and sounds.

The ABC has advised that it disagrees with the finding and does not intend to take remedial action. ACMA is considering whether to take a formal regulatory response, although broadcasting legislation allows it to recommend, but not compel, remedial action by the ABC.