The ABC’s own Media Watch programme has criticised the public broadcaster for its costly handling of war crimes reporting.
The ABC has launched an independent investigation into a story by journalist Mark Willacy who allegedly aired misleading audio alongside helmet camera footage while reporting on Special Forces Commander Heston Russell in 2022.
Media Watch Stand-in presenter Janine Perrett confirmed on Monday night’s show that the inquiry will also look into claims that the broadcaster’s legal team received a letter in November 2022 raising concerns that audio had been manipulated.
The taxpayer-funded broadcaster has been under siege since an audio expert claimed the sound of at least five gunshots was added to the footage to make it appear as though Australian soldiers were repeatedly shooting at villagers rather than firing a single warning shot.
The ABC said the contents of the letter were not shared with its news team, an apparent oversight Perrett described as “shameful”.
“We hope that a full external investigation will not only provide answers but also some accountability, because this has not only cost the ABC a lot of money but also its reputation for trust,” he said.
The footage in question allegedly showed Australian Defence Force soldiers, including Russell, shooting unarmed civilians in Afghanistan from a helicopter in 2012.
Six shots were heard during the disturbing video. Channel Seven’s Spotlight programme recently claimed that five of those shots were added by ABC News during post-production.
Media Watch stand-in presenter Janine Perrett (pictured) on Monday aired claims that ABC News added several gunshot sounds to footage of alleged war crimes.
Mr Russell successfully sued the ABC last year for defamation in relation to Mark Willacy’s articles.
The material and story were recently removed from the ACS site, with outgoing executive director David Anderson citing an “editing error.”
Ms Perrett claimed the ABC boss announced the independent inquiry just six hours after the broadcaster was questioned by the Media Watch team about the 2022 letter.
ABC News told Media Watch that it has “no evidence that reporter Mark Willacy ordered anyone to change the audio on the (helicopter) video and that any suggestion otherwise is false.”
“Mark Willacy categorically denies any allegation that he directed or authorized any changes to the audio of his story,” it said.
Special Forces Commander Heston Russell successfully sued the broadcaster for libel last year following a series of articles by ABC journalist Mark Willacy (pictured) in 2022.
The investigation will also look into allegations by retired DEA boss Bret Hamilton that he was misrepresented in an ABC interview.
Mr. Hamilton recently told the The Telegraph newspaper “His sentence had been manipulated” and a general comment about war crimes was made to make it seem as if he was calling for a specific investigation into Australian troops.”
The ongoing legal battle between the ABC and Mr Russell has cost taxpayers an estimated $3 million in legal fees.
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