ABC coronation coverage jarring, ombudsman finds, but clears impartiality standards

The ABC ombudsman finds the network’s King’s coronation coverage was ‘distracting’, but didn’t breach impartiality standards.

The ABC's panel during King Charles III's coronation.

The ABC’s coverage of the King’s coronation was “jarring and distracting for some of the audience” but did not breach impartiality standards, the public broadcaster’s ombudsman has found.

The decision came on the same day a 41-year-old NSW man was charged for allegedly making threats at former ABC Q+A host Stan Grant, who appeared on the coronation coverage panel.

Mr Grant last Friday announced he would step down from the Q+A host chair citing “relentless racial filth” and expressed disappointment in a lack of support offered to him by ABC executives following reception of the network’s coronation coverage.

ABC ombudsman Fiona Cameron, on Friday said “while the ABC should on all occasions be fair, accurate and open minded, the impartiality standards do not require that every perspective receives equal time, nor that every facet of every argument is presented”.

The report said the ABC to date had received 1832 complaints about the block of programming between 5.15pm and 6pm on coronation day, when the panel “examined critical perspectives on the role of the Monarchy in modern Australia”.

Stan Grant has stood down from the ABC after being criticised over the coronation coverage. Picture: ABC

The footage on screen at the time showed guest arrivals at Westminster Abbey.

On the panel with Mr Grant were ABC hosts Jeremy Fernandez and Julia Baird, republic movement co-chair Craig Foster, and Liberal MP Julian Leeser.

The report quoted an ABC response saying “a range of conservative voices were invited to appear on the coverage to contribute their perspectives but declined”.

The finding said the panel discussion reflected “the contentious element of the role of the Monarch for many Australians”.

“The matters discussed, and opinions shared, were not novel and did not bring up specific accuracy concerns,” it read. “These are issues to consider when reflecting on matters of impartiality.”

“The panel’s views were robust but fair and the conversation was courteous and respectful allowing audiences to make up their own minds about the matters that were discussed.

“It was the decision to schedule the panel discussion between 5-6pm while footage of the arrivals at the Abbey was being broadcast, that attracted the most criticism and complaints received by the ABC.

“There were clearly instances where the footage being presented from London did not relate to the nature of the critical discussion being had by the panel in Australia, which was jarring and distracting for some of the audience as evidenced by complaints received.”

The ABC defended its coverage, saying the panel discussion “ensured that across the whole coverage a genuine diversity of views and perspectives was presented”.

“ABC News believes strongly it was an important discussion to have and that it was important that at some point in the lead up to the Coronation event other perspectives were canvassed. It was decided the conversation should take place as early as possible in the coverage.

“Often in news coverage journalists are told ‘now is not the time’ to discuss certain issues … this line of argument is often used to shut down uncomfortable debates and to silence critical perspectives.”

Australian Monarchist League chairman Eric Abetz told The Australian the ombudsman’s finding was “completely blind and deaf to the outpouring of outrage”.

“I cannot understand how, when over 1800 Australians expressed concern, that it can just be dismissed as nothing to be seen here.

“The excuse that they had invited some conservatives … they invited Craig Foster, chair of the Australian Republican Movement. Interestingly, they did not invite Eric Abetz, a Monarchist chair.

“It is hard to see how the report addresses the concerns so widely expressed throughout the community.”

On Thursday, a 41-year-old in Fairfield Heights, western Sydney, was separately charged for allegedly making threats to Mr Grant. The man was arrested on Wednesday night.

Mr Grant reported the online threats to police just before midday on Tuesday.

The Fairfield Heights man was charged with use carriage to threaten serious harm, and carriage service to menace, harass, or offend.

He has been granted bail to appear in Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday.

The ABC welcomed news of the arrest.

“Threatening a journalist for doing his job is abhorrent and an attack on media freedom,” an ABC spokesperson said. “The ABC will not tolerate journalists or any employees being threatened.”

The ABC’s director of news, Justin Stevens, said the ABC “stands behind” Mr Grant and his family.

“Stan Grant and his family have endured much over the past few weeks and have shown incredible resilience and courage,” he said.

Additional reporting: NCA Newswire