ABC changes Q+A logo after breaching international law

The public broadcaster was forced to change the logo of one of its flagship shows after it breached international humanitarian law.

The ABC has been forced to make a subtle change to the new logo of its Q+A program after it was found to breach international humanitarian law that protects the Red Cross’s branding.

With new host Hamish Macdonald replacing Tony Jones, the public broadcaster rebranded its influential discussion-based program.

The ampersand “&” was replaced by a red plus sign on white background, making it remarkably similar to the humanitarian aid body.

The major issue with the resemblance in the logo is the red cross on white background is the international symbol for “don’t shoot”, which Red Cross Australia says “diminishes its protective power when it is most needed: in times of war”, according to The Guardian.

“One of our team did get in touch with Q+A when their use of the emblem was brought to our attention,” the charity group told the publication.

“One of Red Cross’s roles is educating and informing the broader community about the protective significance of the emblem, and it’s always rewarding when people share that understanding.”

The ABC debuted the colour arrangement in February for its bushfire special live from Bega.

#QandA returns with new host @hamishNews on Monday, February 3 with a bushfires special, live from Bega. Register to be in the audience now: https://t.co/hdvdP5XcUy pic.twitter.com/kqTtjv8dIa

— ABC Q+A (@QandA) January 19, 2020

The broadcaster has since made the slight change.

Q+A's new host Hamish Macdonald replaced Tony Jones this year.

“We use a variety of colour combinations for the Q+A logo,” an ABC spokesperson told Business Insider Australia.

“So when we became aware using a red cross could be an issue we took that one out of the mix.”

The head of international humanitarian law at The Red Cross told Business Insider the protection of the charity group’s emblem was vital.

“Often we have members of the public or our volunteers and supporters that will reach out to us if they see that there might be someone that’s just inadvertently using the emblem and doesn’t realise that it’s protected,” she said.