The ABC’s own Media Watch program has taken aim at the public broadcaster over its handling of alleged 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 Australian 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 that Ms Perrett described as ’embarrassing’.
‘That’s why we think it’s critical this independent review will take in ABC News and the legal department – both key players in the defamation case against Russell that backfired so badly and ended up costing the ABC around $2.8 million,’ she said.
‘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.’
The footage in question allegedly showed Australian Defence Force soldiers, including Mr Russell, shooting at unarmed civilians in Afghanistan from a helicopter in 2012.
Media Watch fill-in host Janine Perrett (pictured) on Monday aired claims ABC News added several gunshot sounds to alleged war crime footage
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 was recently removed from the ABC website, citing an ‘editing error’.
Last Friday, outgoing managing director David Anderson announced an full independent investigation into the scandal while acknowledging the ‘editing error’.
Ms Perrett claimed the ABC boss made the announcement just six hours after the broadcaster was questioned by the Media Watch team about the 2022 letter last Friday.
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.
Special Forces Commander Heston Russell successfully sued the broadcaster for defamation last year following a series of articles from ABC journalist Mark Willacy (pictured) in 2022
In October 2023, former special forces commando Heston Russell (pictured) won his defamation case against the ABC after a Federal Court judge ruled it could not prove articles it published were reported in the public interest
Ms Perrett also revealed that 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 Australian troops’.
The ongoing legal battle between the ABC and Mr Russell has cost taxpayers an estimated $3million in legal fees.
Ms Perrett is currently filling in for long-serving Media Watch host Paul Barry, who announced in June that he will leave the program in December.
