Bragg said he had not decided whether to restart the review as he welcomed the appointment of an ombudsman. “It’s important they do have an independent ombudsman because there’s no confidence in the old system,” Bragg said. “The global experience has been that this is a successful model because it establishes independence. At the moment you have Dracula looking after the blood bank. In the future, you are going to have proper separation of complaints handling from editorial.
“The Senate inquiry is due to recommence under the motion the Senate agreed to. But I need to understand exactly what the ABC is going to do before deciding to reopen the inquiry and take submissions and create public hearings. If my judgment is the ABC is addressing the structural flaws, then there may not be a case for a further inquiry.”
The ombudsman, which Buttrose said would be an external recruitment by the board, will consider complaints about editorial content regarding news, investigations, current affairs, documentaries and panel and satirical programs. It will report directly to the ABC board for a fixed term and will lead the in-house complaints unit. The ombudsman will have the power to review a finding, but there will also be an opportunity for complainants to take concerns to the media regulator. The managing director and all other editorial executives will not be involved in the process.
Complaints made about the ABC’s coverage are currently handled internally by its audience and consumer affairs division, which is required to respond within 60 days. If a complainant is dissatisfied, they can take their concerns to the ACMA.
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ABC’s Buttrose responds to criticism broadcaster ‘marks its own homework’
Source: Philippines Alive
