The ABC’s own Media Watch program has taken aim at the public broadcaster over its handling of war crime reporting which has come at a heavy cost.
The ABC has launched an independent investigation into a story by journalist Mark Willacy which allegedly aired misleading audio alongside helmet cam footage while reporting on Special Forces Commander Heston Russell in 2022.
Media Watch fill-in host Janine Perrett confirmed on Monday night’s program that the investigation will also look at claims the broadcaster’s legal team was sent a letter in November 2022 raising concerns the audio had been doctored.
The taxpayer funded broadcaster has been under siege since an audio expert claimed the sound of at least five gunshots were added to the footage to make it appear as though n soldiers were repeatedly firing at villagers rather than issuing a single warning shot.
The ABC claimed the contents of the letter was not shared with its news team, an apparent oversight Ms Perrett described as ’embarrassing’.
‘Hopefully, a full external inquiry will not only provide answers, but also some accountability, because this hasn’t just cost the ABC plenty of money, but also its trusted reputation,’ she said.
The footage in question allegedly showed n Defence Force soldiers, including Mr Russell, shooting at unarmed civilians in Afghanistan from a helicopter in 2012.
During the disturbing video, six gunshots could be heard. Channel Seven’s Spotlight recently alleged five of those shots were added by ABC News during post-production.
Mr Russell successfully sued the ABC last year for defamation in relation to the articles by Mark Willacy.
The footage and story was recently removed from the ACS site with outgoing managing director David Anderson citing an ‘editing error’.
Ms Perrett claimed the ABC boss announced the independent investigation just six hours after the broadcaster was questioned by its Media Watch team about the 2022 letter.
ABC News told Media Watch it ‘has no evidence that reporter Mark Willacy directed anyone to change the audio on the (helicopter) video and to imply otherwise is false’.
‘Mark Willacy categorically denies any allegation that he directed or authorised any change to the audio in his story,’ it said.
The investigation will also look at allegations from retired DEA leader Bret Hamilton that he was misrepresented in an ABC interview.
Mr Hamilton recently told the Daily Telegraph his ”sound bite had been manipulated’ and a general comment about war crimes was made to look like he was calling for a specific investigation into n troops’.
The ongoing legal battle between the ABC and Mr Russell has cost taxpayers an estimated $3million in legal fees.