News coverage, by its very nature, is often distressing.
Uncomfortable truths – and images – are laid bare.
It’s not always pretty. But neither is life.
The responsibility of news outlets is not to present a highly sanitised version of the world to the audience.
The foremost obligation is to inform, on matters of public interest, without fear or favour.
Even in the fast-moving digital era, the oldest newsroom mantra remains paramount.
Censorship exists, of course, but most often in instances where details or images are too graphic to broadcast, and it’s certainly true that news editors regularly have robust discussions about what is and isn’t appropriate to publish.
But concern about hurting the feelings of a mass murderer doesn’t meet the benchmark for censorship.
Not even close.
Which is why the ABC’s internal “discussion” about whether or not to air the images of a “distressed” Erin Patterson in the back of a prison van is a shameful insight into the editorial mindset within the public broadcaster.
In its woefully misguided attempt to respect the “privacy” of Patterson, the ABC disrespected its audience, favouring the untested sensitivities of a triple murderer over the viewers’ right to see a stark, confronting image of a woman who is now one of the most notorious figures in Australia’s modern history.
In recent weeks, the ABC has been running a slick self-promotion campaign, with the tagline: “Stay in the Know – with ABC News.”
“To fuel your daily conversations, follow the discussion, to stay connected,” the promo boasts.
Nothing could be further from the uncomfortable truth.
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