Media watchdog finds no breach against Media Watch over reporting on The Australian’s losses
Media Watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ruled that the ABC’s Media Watch program did not breach the rules on accuracy, corrections or providing the opportunity to respond to allegations over a dispute with News Corp’s The Australian.
In an investigation report, uploaded on its website in recent days, the ACMA finds that Media Watch, and its host Paul Barry, did not breach the ABC code of practice over a broadcast which cited News “insiders” who claimed national broadsheet The Australian loses $40m-$50m a year. The newspaper, in the wake of the Media Watch statements, subsequently clarified it had lost $30m in 2012-13 and $15m in 2013-14.
“I’m delighted”, Paul Barry told Mumbrella this morning. “We obviously abide by the umpire’s decision, always, and we are very pleased to see they have cleared us on two complaints.”
Chris Mitchell
“That is total and absolute bullshit.” — now THAT is the kind of response I like to read. Let’s get rid of all the mealy-mouthed PR people and have more people like Barry!!
As I was just a middle management schmoe and I was appraised regularly of these figures – usually after a few shandies at the Aurora – Barry wouldn’t have had to look too far for his ‘Insiders.’
No doubt The Australian like its friends at the IPA would like to see ACMA abolished. After all, what’s the point of ACMA from The Australian’s perspective if it doesn’t kowtow and grovel at the feet of News Corp?
As for the statement that the allegation was not put to any of several people at News Corp Australia prior to broadcast of the program, would they honestly have replied? I do not think so. I very much doubt whether any of these people would speak to anyone at the ABC. This is very much a strawman argument.
“The simple point is Paul Barry would not correct a clear error, as any newspaper, and especially The Australian, would every day of the week.”
In microscopic print at the bottom of page 15.
Delicious News Corpse tears.
Well, this should send The Australian’s current campaign against ACMA in general, and Disney in particular, into overdrive!
Don’t they understand that when Rupert’s minions run a viral campaign against you, you’re meant to fold and capitulate? Like the last Labor government, like the ABC.
Mitchell is a sook. He belts the crisp out of people using very soft “facts” and assertions and he gets caught out not understanding his own numbers. (edited under Mumbrella’s comments policy)
Chris Mitchell is superhuman. The ability to criticise someone else for having an agenda and selective reporting of facts – with a straight face *when he is the editor of the Australian* – is something that would be beyond most mortals.
Well Chris is really asking for trouble IMO. The inside view is that the oz does not carry its full burden of cost and the real loss is close to double what is accounted for. No matter which way you cut it the oz is not a business. Only Rupert really knows why it is published.
“Even in the worst Kim Williams year”! How very Orwellian. Tell us Chris, how many years did Williams have? And how exactly did he burden your brilliant management of the otherwise superb Oz commercial performance?
Give us a break. One can only imagine what sort of North Korean style intrigues go into the selection of Rupert’s Australian satrap. Clearly they are becoming ragged.