An external review of the ABC current affairs program ‘Q&A’ has just been published, and while the show has been found to be free of impartiality, it’s queer themed episode for earlier this year was found to be lacking balance.
Former ‘A Current Affair’ host Ray Martin and Shaun Brown, who used to run SBS, looked into potential bias on the show by reviewing 23 episodes of the program.
The pair found that despite criticism from former Prime Minister Tony Abbott the show was not unfair to the government of the day.
The most commonly expressed criticism is that the program lacks impartiality and maintains a left wing anti-Coalition bias. We believe, after close analysis, this general impression is not substantiated,” Martin and Brown said.
“We have concluded that, to a substantial degree, the persistent challenging of the Government of the day is not only inevitable but also desirable. ‘Q&A’ functions not only as an arm of the Fourth Estate, with its attendant responsibilities to hold accountable those who exercise power, but it is also an important conduit for direct public participation in that process.
The review found that government MPs had lots of opportunities to ‘set the record’ straight if they disagreed with the programs positions.
“Government representatives, usually highly capable, senior Cabinet members, have much more time on ‘Q&A’ than anyone else to answer the criticisms.” the pair noted in their findings.
One episode that was found to be lacking balance however was the special queer themed episode that screened earlier this year after the documentary ‘Between a Frock and Hard Place’.
When Tom Ballard hosted the special episode the only guest who presented a view against same sex marriage was conservative stalwart The Rev. Fred Nile.
The report said the program on that occasion should have had a greater diversity of guests.
The report stated that Rev. Fred Nile’s; “fundamentalist views on marriage equality did not adequately represent the range of opinions held by other opponents of this proposed reform.”
Overall the report also recommended the show should be returned to ABC24’s schedule so it can be watched live by people all around the country. Currently views in Western Australia can only see through show live through the ABC’s web channel i-view.
More women, more young people and more independent and Green’s politicians on the panel was also suggested. There were also recommendations that the show get out of it’s Sydney studio and into regional Australian communities more.
OIP Staff
