ABC clears Chris Uhlmann of complaints over blackout coverage

The ABC has reportedly dismissed two complaints brought against its senior political editor, Chris Uhlmann.

The ABC has reportedly dismissed two complaints against senior political editor Chris ­Uhlmann over his coverage of the South Australian blackout.

The complaints were made after Uhlmann linked the statewide blackout, after powerful winds and storms on September 28, with South Australia’s reliance on renewable energy.

On Friday the ABC’s Audience and Consumer Affairs body dismissed at least two of about 180 complaints and comments against Uhlmann, ­the website Crikeyreported. It is not known how many comments were complaints.

Uhlmann covered the blackout over several days. “The fragility of South Australia’s electricity supply with the rise of renewables is an open secret,” Uhlmann wrote in an analysis article on September 30.

“This should keep the pitchfork crowd busy for days. Knock yourselves out,” he tweeted on October 6, sharing a column link­ing the blackout to “South Australia’s unique energy mix”.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said “damaged infrastructure” was to blame for the blackout, and a report by the Australian Energy Market ­Operator found variation in electricity output by wind farms was not a material factor.

The ABC did not return calls from The Australian.

One complaint dismissed on Friday related to an interview Uhlmann did with South Australian senator Nick Xenophon.

“Through the course of the interview, Mr Uhlmann indicated that limited information was available about what was occurring in South Australia. He therefore explained that he was necessarily speculating about the nature, extent and cause of the electricity outage ... Mr Uhlmann did not state that renewable energy, particularly wind power, was the cause of the blackout,” Crikey reported the ABC’s response to the complaint said.

The decision said Uhlmann had not breached editorial standards, one of which requires the ABC to make “reasonable efforts to ensure material facts are accurate and presented in context”.

An unsuccessful complaint rejected by the ABC’s Audience and Consumer Affairs division — which operates independently of the news and content divisions — can be appealed to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

It was reported at least one complainant planned to appeal.