ABC PM: Mark Colvin reported this story on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 18:22:00

ABC apologises for phrasing used in reporting asylum seekers' claims

Mark Colvin reported this story on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 18:22:00

MARK COLVIN: Last night I interviewed the ABC's managing director, Mark Scott, about the controversy over the broadcaster's reporting of asylum seekers' claims that they'd been mistreated by navy personnel.

The story included footage of asylum seekers getting treatment for burns on their hands.

A key part of my interview with Mr Scott focussed on whether the ABC was right to use the phrase "the footage appears to back the allegations" of the asylum seekers.

Here's part of what the managing director said:

(Excerpt of February 3 interview on PM)

MARK SCOTT: Well some people can second guess the semantics, Mark. I think what I'm saying is that the allegations had been raised, had been reported everywhere. Then the videotape came to light and that videotape, along with the claims of the asylum seekers again, sent that story forward. And what the ABC didn't do was say that this was conclusive evidence at all. We said it clearly demonstrates…

MARK COLVIN: But if we say that it "appears to back the allegations" aren't we putting some weight behind the asylum seekers, and to some degree pre-judging the issue?

MARK SCOTT: No, no, I don't think we did pre-judge it, Mark.

MARK COLVIN: Mark Scott, and last night's ABC Media Watch said the ABC had "over-reached, by essentially endorsing the allegations of navy mistreatment".

Presenter Paul Barry said the ABC should have been "far more cautious, given the evidence it had, and given it was making such a big call against the navy." 

Tonight Mark Scott and the head of ABC News and Current Affairs, Kate Torney, have essentially conceded on the phrasing.

In a statement, they say: 

"The wording around the ABC's initial reporting needed to be more precise on that point."

"We regret if our reporting led anyone to mistakenly assume that the ABC supported the asylum seekers' claims."

The statement concludes: 

"Our journalists will continue to investigate and cover this story, and we will continue to urge Australian authorities and the Government to disclose more to the Australian public about the events on board those boats." 

That was a statement from the ABC.