BBC turmoil spotlights ABC bias

The crisis now consuming the BBC should be a warning to the ABC.

The exposure of systematic failures in reporting – including deeply skewed coverage of the Israel–Hamas war – has seen heads roll at Aunty’s British equivalent.

Here in Australia, the ABC faces strikingly similar accusations, yet shows little willingness to reflect, let alone reform.

In June, we used this column to call out the taxpayer-funded behemoth for engaging in skewed journalism and omitting facts and context when it comes to reporting on Israel.

Predictably, nothing has changed.

Indeed, as former ABC board member Joe Gersh told The AJN this week, the broadcaster has become “part of the problem”, particularly for a Jewish community whose security is affected, among other factors, by how the conflict is portrayed in our media.

The ABC has continued to amplify unverified testimonies from Gaza as fact while treating Israeli claims with scepticism. It continues to stack panels, platform and give soft interviews to guests who are hostile to Israel, while denying pro-Israel voices the same chance to be heard.

It continues to fail in its obligation to apply critical analysis to international statements and reports (or their authors) that shape the narrative of how Israel is perceived and in turn, the majority of Australian Jews, who are Zionists, are viewed and treated.

Errors are rarely acknowledged on air. This is not a matter of isolated lapses. It is a culture. It is no wonder that a whopping 83 per cent of respondents in an AJN social media poll last week indicated their belief that the ABC is intentionally biased.

Time and time again, the ABC has arrogantly shown its refusal to change. For the sake of not just the Jewish community, but all of Australia, it needs to made to do so.

Unlike in the UK, where the BBC is funded by television licenses, the ABC is funded by every taxpayer to the tune of $1.2 billion. Aunty has clearly forgotten who she serves.

We also called in June for the federal government take action to rein the broadcaster in. We reiterate that call today with yet more urgency.

The BBC scandal shows what accountability looks like. The ABC is sorely in need of a similar dose of reality.