‘False impression’: National icon accuses broadcaster of crossing the line
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Disputes between national institutions and the media can often stir up passionate debate—especially when they involve matters of remembrance, respect, and public trust.
A recent broadcast by a leading current affairs program has come under scrutiny, prompting strong reactions and formal complaints from one of Australia's most significant cultural sites.
Here’s what happened next.
A recent Four Corners episode has prompted backlash from the Australian War Memorial, which accused the ABC of misleading the public over its daily Last Post Ceremony.
The episode, titled ‘Sacrifice’, aired on 10 March and explored the controversy surrounding a $500million redevelopment of the Canberra memorial initiated under former prime minister Scott Morrison.
During the broadcast, reporter Mark Willacy described the memorial as ‘a battleground fought over by those who want it to expand and evolve, and by those who warn that it’s being turned into a half-a-billion-dollar military theme park that celebrates, rather than commemorates war.’
A segment of the program included audio of the Last Post playing at 4:30 pm while a B-roll of noisy construction activity appeared on screen.
Willacy added:‘This place of commemoration is also a construction site.’
Memorial Director Matt Anderson PSM challenged the portrayal, saying it gave ‘the false impression’ that construction disrupted the solemn ceremony.
Mr Anderson said: ‘There was no construction teams working on the day the Last Post Ceremony was filmed by Four Corners as it was Remembrance Day.’
He stated that the memorial has enforced a stop-work order since 2020 to ensure ceremonies remain undisturbed.
He also said: ‘The Australian War Memorial has had a stop work order since 2020 to prevent construction noise from disrupting commemorative ceremonies including the daily Last Post Ceremony.’
Mr Anderson confirmed that a formal complaint had been sent to ABC chairman Kim Williams over what he called ‘the misrepresentation of staff and activities.’
He noted the issue with the Last Post audio was just ‘one of several complaints we have asked to be investigated.’
Although Four Corners had permission to film over several months, the Last Post segment was captured on 11 November 2024.
An ABC spokesperson defended the segment, saying there was no claim that construction and the ceremony took place simultaneously.
‘There is no implication in the program that the ceremony and the construction are occurring simultaneously,’ the spokesperson said.
‘There is a clear break in scene between the ceremony and the footage of the construction site.’
‘Both the ceremony and the Last Post are presented respectfully and in context.’
For a deeper look into the report that sparked this national debate, watch the full investigation for yourself.
Hit play below to see what raised eyebrows—and drew formal complaints.
Source: Youtube/ABC News In-depth
This was not the first time the broadcaster faced criticism over its reporting on military matters.
In 2022, Channel Seven’s Spotlight program accused the ABC of editing audio in a story by Willacy that depicted Australian soldiers during an operation in Afghanistan.
The segment reportedly featured misleading sound effects added to helmet cam footage, making it appear as if multiple gunshots were fired at villagers.
An audio expert found at least five shots were inserted, although the footage supposedly showed only a single warning shot.
Former Special Forces Commander Heston Russell, who featured in the clip, later won a defamation case against the ABC.
The broadcaster removed the video, citing an ‘editing error.’
At the time, ABC News said, ‘has no evidence that reporter Mark Willacy directed anyone to change the audio on the (helicopter) video and to imply otherwise is false.’
It also said: ‘Mark Willacy categorically denies any allegation that he directed or authorised any change to the audio in his story.’
Watch the full report below.
Source: Youtube/Sky News Australia
Despite the backlash, the ABC has stood by the Four Corners episode on the Australian War Memorial.
With public institutions and media outlets both standing firm, whose version of events do you believe carries more weight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A recent broadcast by a leading current affairs program has come under scrutiny, prompting strong reactions and formal complaints from one of Australia's most significant cultural sites.
Here’s what happened next.
A recent Four Corners episode has prompted backlash from the Australian War Memorial, which accused the ABC of misleading the public over its daily Last Post Ceremony.
The episode, titled ‘Sacrifice’, aired on 10 March and explored the controversy surrounding a $500million redevelopment of the Canberra memorial initiated under former prime minister Scott Morrison.
During the broadcast, reporter Mark Willacy described the memorial as ‘a battleground fought over by those who want it to expand and evolve, and by those who warn that it’s being turned into a half-a-billion-dollar military theme park that celebrates, rather than commemorates war.’
War Memorial slams ABC over ceremony clip. Image source: ABC
A segment of the program included audio of the Last Post playing at 4:30 pm while a B-roll of noisy construction activity appeared on screen.
Willacy added:‘This place of commemoration is also a construction site.’
Memorial Director Matt Anderson PSM challenged the portrayal, saying it gave ‘the false impression’ that construction disrupted the solemn ceremony.
Mr Anderson said: ‘There was no construction teams working on the day the Last Post Ceremony was filmed by Four Corners as it was Remembrance Day.’
He stated that the memorial has enforced a stop-work order since 2020 to ensure ceremonies remain undisturbed.
He also said: ‘The Australian War Memorial has had a stop work order since 2020 to prevent construction noise from disrupting commemorative ceremonies including the daily Last Post Ceremony.’
Mr Anderson confirmed that a formal complaint had been sent to ABC chairman Kim Williams over what he called ‘the misrepresentation of staff and activities.’
He noted the issue with the Last Post audio was just ‘one of several complaints we have asked to be investigated.’
Although Four Corners had permission to film over several months, the Last Post segment was captured on 11 November 2024.
An ABC spokesperson defended the segment, saying there was no claim that construction and the ceremony took place simultaneously.
‘There is no implication in the program that the ceremony and the construction are occurring simultaneously,’ the spokesperson said.
‘There is a clear break in scene between the ceremony and the footage of the construction site.’
‘Both the ceremony and the Last Post are presented respectfully and in context.’
For a deeper look into the report that sparked this national debate, watch the full investigation for yourself.
Hit play below to see what raised eyebrows—and drew formal complaints.
Source: Youtube/ABC News In-depth
This was not the first time the broadcaster faced criticism over its reporting on military matters.
In 2022, Channel Seven’s Spotlight program accused the ABC of editing audio in a story by Willacy that depicted Australian soldiers during an operation in Afghanistan.
The segment reportedly featured misleading sound effects added to helmet cam footage, making it appear as if multiple gunshots were fired at villagers.
An audio expert found at least five shots were inserted, although the footage supposedly showed only a single warning shot.
Former Special Forces Commander Heston Russell, who featured in the clip, later won a defamation case against the ABC.
The broadcaster removed the video, citing an ‘editing error.’
At the time, ABC News said, ‘has no evidence that reporter Mark Willacy directed anyone to change the audio on the (helicopter) video and to imply otherwise is false.’
It also said: ‘Mark Willacy categorically denies any allegation that he directed or authorised any change to the audio in his story.’
Watch the full report below.
Source: Youtube/Sky News Australia
Despite the backlash, the ABC has stood by the Four Corners episode on the Australian War Memorial.
With public institutions and media outlets both standing firm, whose version of events do you believe carries more weight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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