‘It’s exhausting’: Four Corners criticised for the way it ‘balanced’ its gender distress story

A program on the national broadcaster has come under fire for airing a story which discusses gender distress in children.

Australians have slammed the national broadcaster for airing a Four Corners story which investigated gender distress in children, with some arguing it simply didn’t get the balance right.

On Monday night’s episode, Blocked aired with its aim to “break open the feud over transgender youth healthcare”, through the words of brave children and families, as well as experts in the field.

“Gender distress” was a common talking point in the episode, which refers to the uneasiness someone may encounter when they feel a sense of mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity.

The story took almost a year to put together and followed the publication of a series of research papers which took into account the results of a survey of children presenting at Sydney’s The Children’s Hospital at Westmead’s gender clinic.

The Children's Hospital at Westmead's gender clinic was investigated as part of the story. Picture: ABC / Four Corners

According to ABC News editorial policies manager Mark Maley – who wrote an opinion piece on the episode before it even aired – the research “challenged mainstream views of how to treat gender distress in children, in particular the ‘gender-affirming care’ model”.

Mr Maley explained the research unveiled “potential dangers” in the prescription of gender-affirming medications to teenagers while alleging “social forces” was a contributor to the increase in children looking to transition.

Following the release of this research, sources who worked for the department at the hospital came forward to share their story about how they felt they weren’t being supported, with “staff shortages and resignations” preventing them from fulfilling their jobs.

This information in addition to accounts from patients and their families who had attempted to seek help from the hospital, formed the building blocks to a story with a “clear focus”, being “the treatment of early adolescents, gender affirmation and the use of puberty blockers”.

Anna used to work at the clinic as a psychologist but left after feeling like she didn't receive enough support. Picture: ABC / Four Corners

The story of Noah O’Brien, 14, was also shared after the transgender boy took his own life after failing to get the treatment he needed.

Journalists and producers then worked on the impartiality of the story by seeking comment from critics of gender-affirming surgery and medication as well as an insight into what treatment methods are used overseas.

“Once the story was gathered, as with every Four Corners, there was then a rigorous process of checking and refining the final product, going through the story line by line to ensure accuracy, impartiality and fairness,” Mr Maley wrote.

“It was crucial that all sides of the debate were given an opportunity to present their views … We were determined not to stand in judgment of either side of this debate.

“We wanted the story to reflect the weight of evidence, but we were acutely aware that the science is new and evolving in this area. We believe we got the balance right.”

Noah O'Brien took his own life at the age of 14, after failing to receive support from gender transitioning services. Picture: ABC / Four Corners

Balance ‘destroys good intentions’

Despite Four Corners believing the episode was objective, this belief wasn’t reflected in the eyes of some viewers who criticised the program for giving a platform to “transphobes”.

“High-profile and qualified critics” Professor Dianna Kenny and Dr Jillian Spencer were invited by Four Corners to contribute to the episode, in a bid to provide both sides of the debate in the story.

Professor Kenny is a consulting psychologist, psychotherapist, mediator, and family dispute resolution practitioner while wearing many hats in other fields.

According to Binary Australia, Professor Kenny has presented evidence to a NSW Education Committee, suggesting the rise of youths wishing to transition is a “social contagion”.

Professor Kenny is also listed as a Binary Ambassador on Binary Australia’s website – formerly called Marriage Alliance during the same-sex marriage debate.

Professor Dianna Kenny said the rise in children wanting to transition is a social phenomenon. Picture: ABC / Four Corners

Meanwhile, Dr Spencer is a senior child psychologist who was previously stood down from the Queensland Children’s Hospital for calling out the potential harms of puberty blockers on children.

It’s understood she lodged a complaint with Queensland’s Human Rights Commission after she was allegedly subjected to employment directions which required her to use gender-affirming pronouns and discouraged her from diverting patients away from the hospital’s gender clinic, The Australian reports.

“Dr Spencer … argues there should be no medical intervention before a child goes through puberty and advocates what’s called ‘watchful waiting’,” Mr Maley wrote in his opinion piece before the episode aired.

Not all appreciated Professor Kenny and Dr Spencer’s input, with some arguing the program’s need to “balance” the story with their views overlooked the existence of transphobia and “destroyed the (program’s) good intentions”.

One person particularly peeved about the episode was LGBTQ+ activist and writer Natalie Feliks who said Four Corners portrayed the story in a way that “denies that transphobia exists” and called on ABC to “do better”.

“The prospects that prejudices might be influencing the way people talk about trans healthcare is something that doesn’t register with you. Guess what? Scientists and doctors aren’t immune,” she tweeted.

Dr Jillian Spencer is one of the critics asked to contribute to the story. Picture: ABC / Four Corners

“You’ve failed to understand that puberty blockers are essential for cis kids. You’ve failed to check the scientific data around ROGD (Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria). You’ve failed to understand the concept of detransition. It’s all just not good enough.”

Campaigner Emily Mayo was also “super concerned” about the way Four Corners balanced its story.

“I’m sending my love and solidarity to the young people who have participated and all those who are directly impacted by the absolute nonsense transphobia we are engulfed by,” she tweeted.

Barrister and radio presenter Gemma Cafarella shared similar views, insisting that “both sides” of homosexuality should never be debated for trans issues.

“Four Corners has platformed people from trans hate groups under the guise of balance. They didn’t actually get any of the nuance because they went to extremists for ‘balance’,” she said.

“They put baseless rubbish to air, like the psych claiming that ‘most psychs’ worry about the gender affirmation model. That is baseless and untrue, but just beamed across loungerooms Australia-wide.

“Honestly can’t we just have good stuff about all the brilliant trans people who are strong, funny, talented, loving trans people in Aus? Why are we debating their medical care and their right to exist. It’s exhausting.”

Chalking protest outside ABC

Stop lying to children telling them they can change sex. This endless propaganda via ACON needs to stop.

No child is born in the wrong body. Let kids be kids and stop putting them in boxes and on harmful drugs #ACONOut#4Cornerspic.twitter.com/WvoDcHzYg7

— Non-man attracted to men (@radical_animal) July 10, 2023

‘The stakes are high’

Following the publication of Mr Maley’s opinion piece, women’s rights campaigner Angie Jones questioned the need for a “disclaimer” prior to the episode being aired.

“On what other issue would the National Broadcaster provide a disclaimer before broadcasting? Who are they afraid of?” she tweeted.

It seems Four Corners knew of the risk they were taking prior to sharing the story, with Mr Maley stating in his opinion piece the answer to Ms Jones’ question.

“The stakes are high with stories such as this. Nothing is more important than providing the most effective and safe care for the thousands of young people presenting at our hospitals in real distress,” he wrote, concluding the piece.

“Shutting down either side of this debate will not achieve that.”

The story definitely got people talking and not just about the episode’s flaws, with some applauding the national broadcaster for producing such a “fine” piece of work.

“I thought this was very fine journalism,” The Conversation journalist and editor Misha Ketchell tweeted. “(It was) sensitive, compassionate (and) thoughtful.”

Another person said: “Congratulations to Four Corners and Patricia Karvelas (who hosted the episode). Please ignore the horrid people who are making such ill-informed and ignorant comments”.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said he will work to improve support for transgender children. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The episode motivated NSW Health Minister Ryan Park to improve transgender children care, after hearing of the “extremely disappointing” experiences some families were going through.

“We’re not enabling people to access this level of healthcare as frequently as they need it,” he told ABC radio.

The Four Corners investigation found the hospital’s gender clinic saw just three new patients this year compared to 88 new patients last year.

Mr Park added he spoke with the secretary and deputy secretary of the health department about the issues raised in the episode, and will work on a new framework to guide clinicians to treat and support children wishing to transition.

The minister vowed to make changes to the system, starting with a revision of the research.

“There’s always going to be robust debate,” Mr Park said.

“But we also need to make sure that when people on the front line feel as though things are not working, we need to make sure those things are in place.”

Originally published as ‘It’s exhausting’: Four Corners criticised for the way it ‘balanced’ its gender distress story