“They have known about this problem forever,” Grant said at the time. “Just months ago ... I warned the head of news, Justin Stevens, that the ABC was a culturally hostile environment for First Nations and people of colour. But we hear all the talk of ‘care’ and ‘concern’ and no action.”
On Thursday, the ABC appointed former journalist and media executive Alan Sunderland to lead an independent review into two stories published in 2022 about former commando Heston Russell with incorrect audio that went to air.
Lawyer Dr Terri Janke led the review team.
The “Line of Fire” review will include all aspects of the reports broadcast on 7.30 in September 2022 and published online. The ABC said the review findings, including the recommendations, will be made public. It is set to be delivered by the end of October.
The review was commissioned by Anderson last week after an episode of Seven’s Spotlight program aired footage from an ABC report showing audio of gunfire had been added over existing footage.
Russell successfully sued the ABC for defamation after it alleged he was involved in the unlawful killing of an Afghan soldier, and was awarded $390,000 in damages last year.
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