ABC staff to receive ‘impartiality’ training on Indigenous voice to parliament

The ABC has taken the unprecedented step of reminding journalists they must be objective when reporting on the Indigenous voice to parliament ahead of the referendum.

An email to ABC staff outlines that a ‘deep-dive’ session into ‘impartiality’ will discuss ‘some knotty editorial policy issues’. Picture: AAP

The ABC has taken the unprecedented step of reminding journalists they must be objective when reporting on the Indigenous voice to parliament ahead of the referendum.

An email to staff on Monday outlines that a “deep-dive” session into “impartiality” will discuss “some knotty editorial policy issues” and how reporters should ensure they do not favour one view on the Indigenous voice parliament.

It goes on to explain that staff are about to “embark on one of the most difficult and consequential stories of recent times”.

The session – to be held on Tuesday – will be headed by editorial policy manager Mark Maley and editorial policy adviser and Indigenous woman Bridget Caldwell-Bright.

The email outlined impartiality standards, including:

● “No significant strand of thought or belief within the community is knowingly excluded or disproportionately represented”.

● “Staff do not unduly favour one perspective over another”.

It also says “the ABC takes no editorial stance other than its commitment to fundamental democratic principles including the rule of law, freedom of speech and religion, parliamentary democracy and equality of opportunity”.

The guidelines must be adopted to “avoid the unjustified use of stereotypes or discriminatory content that could reasonably be interpreted as condoning or encouraging prejudice”.

Staff were warned to abide by the ABC’s “broader commitment to inclusion and diversity”.

An ABC spokeswoman defended the training, saying: “The ABC regularly runs editorial training to ensure our coverage of news and major events is in line with our editorial policies and charter obligations.”

Ms Caldwell-Bright previously criticised an opinion piece published in The Australian on January 25 by voice campaigner Professor Marcia Langton. The article appeared with the headline: “Cultural warriors shamed by confected outrage over voice.”

Hard disagree, this is a divisive and dangerous piece, erasing the work of Lidia and many others (including the “three blak greens” referenced here) https://t.co/AX9NOJm8c1

— Bridget Caldwell-Bright (@bridgetblou) January 24, 2023

Ms Caldwell-Bright tweeted her support for then Greens senator Lidia Thorpe after ABC Radio National host Patricia Karvelas posted Professor Langton’s article with the comment: “Powerful piece of writing by Marcia Langton – on Jan 26, voice, Alice Springs #auspol”.

The ABC editorial adviser condemned the article and disputed the radio host’s views: “Hard disagree, this is a divisive and dangerous piece, erasing the work of Lidia (Thorpe) and many others (including the “three blak greens” referenced here).

In the piece Professor Langton wrote: “Greens senator Lidia Thorpe knows how this culture war works too, and has done more than her fair share to wreck the chances of Australians voting for a voice.”

The ABC came under fire this month after airing a controversial radio report claiming there were elements of “white supremacy” at an Alice Springs community meeting, resulting in the story having to be significantly edited, with apologies issued by the public broadcaster.

Managing director David Anderson blamed “logistical and editorial breakdowns”. When he was grilled at Senate Estimates, he said he had no idea how it made it to air and was seeking information from news director Justin Stevens.

The ABC sent staff a stern warning several weeks later about the language reporters use when discussing alcohol restrictions in the Northern Territory.

In the memo emailed to staff, Mr Maley said “grog” would be banned because it was “inappropriately colloquial” and could “potentially be stereotyping”.

“The issue of restrictions to access to alcohol in the Northern Territory and elsewhere is highly contentious and newsworthy,” the memo said.

“It is very important that the ABC is seen to report these issues in a way that is accurate, impartial and does not inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes.”

Mr Maley goes on to explain to staff: “Refer to ‘alcohol’ not ‘grog’ and ‘booze’ or similar slang in news, current affairs or interview programs”.