Hugh Marks, the managing director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), has responded to recent criticisms of the broadcaster, labeling the attacks as "opportunistic." He specifically addressed allegations concerning the ABC's Four Corners program, which has been accused of distorting a speech by former President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021. Marks acknowledged that while the criticism may not be entirely valid, the ABC still has lessons to learn from its handling of the situation and from the BBC's past errors.

Criticism of the ABC
Marks defended the ABC against claims made by Sky News Australia and The Australian, which compared the Four Corners episode to a controversial BBC Panorama program that resulted in significant resignations. He asserted that the faults in the ABC's reporting were not comparable to those of the BBC and deemed the criticism as misleading. "I think the comparison of the ABC's Four Corners to the BBC Panorama show was opportunistic," Marks stated at the National Press Club. He emphasized that the ABC's independence and structure set it apart from the BBC, allowing it to maintain impartiality in its reporting.

Missed Opportunities with Bluey
In addition to addressing the criticism, Marks admitted that the ABC had failed to capitalize on the success of the children's show Bluey, a joint production with the BBC. While the BBC reportedly earns around $300 million annually from licensing and merchandising related to Bluey, the ABC has not seen similar financial benefits. Marks expressed regret over this missed opportunity, stating, "It’s incredible and probably the biggest show around the world. Yeah, it’s a lost opportunity." He emphasized the need for the ABC to explore different revenue models to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.

Learning from the BBC
Reflecting on the BBC's recent challenges, Marks acknowledged that the ABC could learn from the British broadcaster's experiences. He highlighted the importance of owning mistakes and moving away from a defensive posture that has developed over the years. "We have to not cower, but we can’t be defensive when we make a mistake, own it. It’s not hard," he remarked. Marks believes that by embracing transparency and accountability, the ABC can continue to uphold its commitment to accuracy and impartiality.

Wrap-up
Hugh Marks' remarks come at a crucial time for the ABC as it navigates public scrutiny and seeks to improve its operational strategies. By addressing both external criticism and internal opportunities, Marks aims to strengthen the ABC's position as a trusted public broadcaster in Australia.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team