ABC sorry over Chinese scalping claim in program Waltzing the Dragon

The ABC has issued an apology over a claim that appeared in Benjamin Law’s new program.

Benjamin Law. Picture: Renae Droop

The ABC has issued an apology after new program Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law presented only half of an interview where an academic cited historic claims Chinese miners were scalped by Australians.

In its second episode, Waltzing the Dragon described the Lambing Flat Riots, a series of violent anti-Chinese demonstrations in Burrangong, New South Wales, in 1860.

The show screened an interview with historian Dr Sophie Couchman, who said there were newspaper reports which suggested Chinese had been scalped by Australians during the riots.

The show, however, failed to screen the second part of Dr Couchman’s interview, where she said there were no other reports of scalping outside of those references.

The ABC issued an apology for misrepresenting Dr Couchman on its Twitter account.

“In episode 2 of #WaltzingTheDragon with @mrbenjaminlaw in a scene describing the Lambing Flat Riots, historian Dr @sophiecouchman cites newspaper reports that suggested Chinese miners were scalped,” the tweet read.

(1/2) CORRECTION & APOLOGY. In episode 2 of #WaltzingTheDragon with @mrbenjaminlaw in a scene describing the Lambing Flat Riots, historian Dr. @sophiecouchman cites newspaper reports that suggested Chinese miners were scalped.

— ABC TV + iview (@ABCTV) August 7, 2019

“In the full interview Dr. Couchman went on to state others at the time reported there was NO scalping. This was omitted from the edited program, therefore misrepresenting Dr. Couchman. “The ABC and Producers acknowledge this error and apologise sincerely to Dr. Couchman,” it continued.

Both Law and Dr Couchman retweeted the apology.

In a follow-up tweet the ABC said the program would be recut to include the full interview in all future broadcasts and on iView.