2012 television investigations

Program or issue name	Station or licensee	Description	Outcome	Report published
Days of Our Lives	TVT	Inappropriate depiction of verbal abuse, domestic violence and murder in PG classified program.	No Breach – Classification of other material – PG classification BI 2920	20/12/2012
7:30	ABS	Political bias in interview with Leader of the Opposition.	No Breach—Impartiality BI 2872	17/12/2012
Catalyst	ABN	Omission of information in segment ‘Sitting is deadly’.	No Breach—Accuracy BI 2884	14/12/2012
The Siege	TVQ	Broadcast of movie offensive to Muslims.	No Breach – Cultural sensitivities; Dislike, contempt or ridicule BI 2885	4/12/2012
The Block	GTV	Duty of care not exercised towards participants.	No Breach – Present participants in a highly demeaning or highly exploitative manner BI 2876	28/11/2012
Ten News At Five	TVQ	Inaccurate information about electric vehicles. Complaints handling.	No Breach—Factual accuracy; Complaint-handling BI 2852	23/11/2012
	Datacasting	Datacasting infotainment or lifestyle programs.	Breach – Category A television programs BI 2814	22/11/2012
Seven News	HSV	Inaccurate reference to Ned Kelly’s ‘descendants’.	Breach – Factual accuracy BI 2880	22/11/2012
Babe TV Live	Datacasting	Sexualised content warranting an R18+ classification.	No Breach – Category A television programs and general conditions (classification) BI 2901	14/11/2012
Lateline	ABQ	Bias in segment about BHP’s Olympic Dam decision.	No Breach—Impartiality; Balance BI 2866	9/11/2012
Media Watch	ABV	Concealment of critical facts resulted in misleading presentation in segment about reportage of Murray–Darling water use.	No Breach—Accuracy BI 2853	8/11/2012
	ABQ	Partiality towards Israel and bias against Palestinians by failing to report Palestinian prisoner hunger strike.	No Breach—Impartiality BI 2857	8/11/2012
The Roast	ABV	Inappropriate sexual references in PG-classified program.	No Breach—Television Classifications - PG BI 2905	8/11/2012
Channel Nine News	NWS	Invasion of privacy in item about home birth.	Breach - Clauses 4.3.5 and 4.3.5.2 of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice 2010 BI 2813	6/11/2012
Seven News	HSV	Item about a product to combat obesity was an ‘advertorial’, unfair to other products and inaccurate.	No Breach – Distinguish paid material from other program material; Factual accuracy; Impartiality and fairness BI 2849	29/10/2012
ABC News 24	ABT	Inaccuracy and pro-government spin in paraphrase of military officer’s statement about Afghanistan casualties.	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality BI 2877	29/10/2012
The Project	ATV	Unfair and inaccurate comment about the One Nation Party.	No Breach – Fair representation of viewpoints; Fairness and impartiality in news BI 2873	26/10/2012
ABC News	ABQ	Biased reporting of proposed biomass plant.	No Breach—Impartiality; Balance BI 2862	24/10/2012
Big Brother	NBN	PG-classified program contained inappropriate depictions of sexual abuse, bullying and harassment.	No Breach - Classification of material (PG); Reality Television BI 2875	24/10/2012
Globe Trekker	HSV	Program contained provocative and sexual content that was inappropriate for a PG-classified program.	No Breach – Classification of material (PG) BI 2886	24/10/2012
Fear Factor	TEN	Participants made to participate in humiliating acts.	No Breach - Presenting participants in a reality television program in a highly demeaning or highly exploitative manner BI 2850	19/10/2012
The Project	ATV	Ridicule of Christian faith in discussion of UFOs.	No Breach – Dislike, contempt or ridicule BI 2868	16/10/2012
Media Watch	ABN	Segment on media coverage of Lake Cathie environmental study contained inaccuracies, favoured one side of the debate, did not provide opportunity to respond and was ageist.	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Balance; Opportunity to respond; Stereotypes BI 2837	4/10/2012
Media Watch	ABN	Segment about a NZ-born TV host implied that the presenter’s perspective was the ABC’s editorial opinion, did not provide opportunity to respond, used vulgar language without justification and was racist.	No Breach—Impartiality; Opportunity to respond; Harm and offence; Stereotypes BI 2838	4/10/2012
A Current Affair	QTQ	Provocation of antagonistic attitude towards the elderly in segment about elderly drivers.	No Breach—Dislike, contempt or ridicule BI 2854	2/10/2012
ABC News 24	ABN	News item showed map with Persian Gulf labelled as ‘Arabian Gulf’. Inadequate correction.	No breach—Factual accuracy; Misleading factual content; Correction of errors BI 2863	27/09/2012
Budget 2012	ABQ	No captions.	Breach—Captioning requirements BI 2807	21/09/2012
Rage	ABQ	Inappropriate coarse language and sexual activity in G time zone.	No Breach—Television classifications (G) BI 2869	21/09/2012
Media Watch	ABN	Inaccuracies, no opportunity to respond to allegations made and bias.	Breach—Standard 5.3 (Opportunity to respond to allegations) of the ABC Code of Practice 2011 No Breach—Standards 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1 (Factual inaccuracy and Impartiality) of the ABC Code of Practice 2011 BI 2730	17/09/2012
Media Watch	ABC	Personal prejudice and bias in segment about reportage of Murray–Darling water use.	No Breach—Impartiality; Balance BI 2806	17/09/2012
	SBS	Quality of captions.	Breach - Captioning BI 2764	21/08/2012
Seven News	ATN	Inaccuracies and bias in report on a casino.	No Breach - Accuracy; Impartiality BI 2802	17/08/2012
music video clips	Subscription Broadcasting Television	Music video contained Inappropriate depictions of nudity and sexual themes.	No Breach - Classification of material (M) BI 2842	17/08/2012
Lateline	ABV	Segment ‘Obama endorses gay marriage’ biased and misleading.	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartial presentation; Not favour one perspective over another BI 2847	16/08/2012
Sunday Night	BTQ	Program about the Suruwaha Amazon tribe was factually inaccurate and racially offensive.	did not breach clause 4.3.1 of the Code in relation to the reference to ‘stone age’; • did not breach clause 4.3.1 of the Code in relation to the references ‘lost tribe’ and ‘lost world’; • breached clause 4.3.1 of the Code in relation to the statement ‘Here, we’re outside the protection of Brazilian law’; • breached clause 4.3.1 of the Code in relation to the statements, ‘These lost tribes encourage the murder of disabled children’ and ‘The Suruwaha believe that children born with birth defects or born to a single mother are evil spirits and should be killed in the most gruesome way possible’; • breached clause 1.9.6 of the Code; and • in relation to the manner in which the Suruwaha tribe was depicted, the ACMA makes no finding in relation to the licensee’s compliance with clause 4.3.1 BI 2741	6/08/2012
6.30 with George Negus	TEN	Inaccurate claim about UN estimate of civilian deaths in Sri Lanka conflict and complaints handling.	Breach - Factual accuracy; Complaints handling BI 2762	2/08/2012
	ABQ	No captions.	Breach—Captioning requirements BI 2799	31/07/2012
Big Brother - Promotion	TCN	Promotion contained a sexual gesture that was inappropriate during a PG classified program.	No Breach - Classification of G material BI 2845	26/07/2012
Commercial for Lingerie	SSW	Inappropriate depiction of adult themes in M time zone material.	No Breach - Placement of M classified commercial BI 2840	17/07/2012
Advertisement for erectile dysfunction treatment	NEN	Inappropriate placement of commercial within a G-classified program.	No Breach - Compliance requirements; Classification and placement of commercials; Commercials in G programs between 7.00pm and 8.30pm BI 2827	13/07/2012
Lateline	ABN	Inaccuracies and bias in report on Sri Lanka.	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality BI 2821	12/07/2012
NBN News	NBN	Inaccurate and biased news item about Urunga Bypass.	Breach - Accuracy, fairness and impartiality BI 2789	10/07/2012
The Celebrity Apprentice Australia	GTV	Program an extended advertisement for Yellow Brick Road.	No Breach – Distinction between paid material and other program material BI 2819	10/07/2012
ABC News 24	ABW	Fabrication, pro-Israeli bias, omission, images of violence and racism towards Muslims in program promotion using footage of Golan Heights border incident.	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Balance, sensitivity, stereotypes BI 2788	6/07/2012
Today Tonight	CBN	Blanket shaming of disability pensioners.	No Breach - Dislike, contempt or ridicule BI 2794	5/07/2012
A Current Affair	QTQ	Segment contained Inaccuracies and used covert recordings.	Breach—Accurate broadcast of factual material (clause 4.3.1 of the Free TV Code) No breach—Licence condition at pgph 7(1)(h) of Schedule 2 of the BSA (using the broadcasting service in the commission of an offence) BI 2734	4/07/2012
Today Tonight	HSV	Segment contained factual inaccuracies and presented material liable to create panic regarding the Muslim community.	Breach – clause 4.3.1 No breach – clauses 4.3.1; 4.3.2; and 4.3.10 BI 2742	4/07/2012
Raw Comedy 2011	ABN	Comments made were offensive, and demeaning of people with a disability.	No Breach—Unjustified harm or offence; Stereotypes and discrimination BI 2784	29/06/2012
The Footy Show	GTV	Depictions promoting illegal drug use.	No Breach – Classification of M material BI 2816	22/06/2012
The Block	QTQ	Inappropriate language at the PG classification.	No Breach—Classification of PG material BI 2820	22/06/2012
13 Tzameti	SBS	Inappropriate depictions of violence and suicide in an M-classified program.	No Breach - Suicide Breach - Violence; Classification categories; Consumer advice BI 2797	19/06/2012
You're Skitting Me	ABV	Inappropriate sexual themes in a G-classified program.	No breach—Television classifications (G) BI 2808	13/06/2012
The Hamster Wheel	ABC	Inappropriate language in a program classified MA15+.	No Breach—Harm and offence BI 2810	13/06/2012
Sunday Night	BTQ	Distressing report on suicide. Complaints handling issue.	No Breach—Reports of suicide; Distress to viewers/provide warnings; Telephone advice BI 2796	8/06/2012
The Celebrity Apprentice Australia	GTV	Final episode was continuous advertisement for Yellow Brick Road. Complaints-handling issue.	Breach – Effort to resolve complaint No Breach – Time limits on non-program matter BI 2747	7/06/2012
Good Christian Bitches	ATN	Program promotions ridiculed Christian women and contained inappropriate language.	Breach - Restrictions in PG programs in certain time periods No Breach - Provoke or perpetuate intense dislike, serious contempt or severe ridicule; Restrictions in G or PG programs at 8:30pm BI 2758	6/06/2012
It's a Knockout	ATV	Advertising material not distinguished from program content. No response to complaint.	No Breach – Presentation of broadcast material; Promotion of products or services in programs directed to children; Complaint-handling BI 2782	1/06/2012
7:30	ABV	Bias in interview.	No Breach—Impartiality BI 2805	1/06/2012
Beaconsfield	NBN	Inappropriate language at the M classification.	No Breach - Classification of material (M) BI 2809	31/05/2012
Today Tonight	ATN	Segment about Australian New Muslim Association contained factual inaccuracies.	No Breach - Factual accuracy BI 2736	28/05/2012
Channel Nine News	GTV	Wrong and unfair implications. Complaints-handling issue.	Breach – Respond to referred complaint No Breach – Accuracy, fair representation of viewpoint BI 2786	28/05/2012
A Current Affair	GTV	Factual inaccuracies, unfair identification of a person and use of personal material in segment about Centrelink fraudsters.	Breach – Privacy; Privacy of a child; Unfair identification No Breach – Accuracy BI 2719	25/05/2012
Today Tonight	ATN	Provocation of hatred of asylum seekers; lives of asylum seekers put at risk by unpixelated footage.	No Breach - Intense dislike; Privacy BI 2711	24/05/2012
The Bolt Report	TEN	Inaccuracies about climate change. Complaints-handling issue.	No Breach - Factual accuracy; Complaints handling BI 2709	23/05/2012
A Current Affair	TCN	Inaccuracies and use of personal photos and film in segment ‘Wicked Stepmother’.	No Breach - Factual accuracy; Privacy BI 2725	21/05/2012
Today Tonight	SAS	The use of the term ‘welfare gravy train’ is inaccurate and vilifies Australian Indigenous people and children.	No Breach - Cultural sensitivities; Dislike, contempt or ridicule; Factual accuracy BI 2729	21/05/2012
Tropic Thunder	ADS	Inappropriate depictions of violence, drug use and coarse language and sexual references at the M classification.	Breach - Modification of MA15+ films BI 2771	18/05/2012
ABC News	ABW	Graphic footage of asylum-seeker death.	No Breach—Harm or offence; Sensitivity, distress to relatives and cultural practices BI 2795	18/05/2012
ABC News	ABV	Broadcasting kidnappers’ demand video may lead to dangerous imitation or serious threats to safety and welfare.	No Breach—Dangerous imitation BI 2767	8/05/2012
The right to acquire AFL matches.	Subscription Broadcasting Television	No Breach - clause 10(1)(e) of Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992	BI 2779	7/05/2012
Behind the News Extra	ABC	Program about genetically modified food was inaccurate, misleading and unbalanced.	No Breach—Factual accuracy; Correction of significant errors; Impartiality; Representing perspectives BI 2672	4/05/2012
When Harry met Sally	NBN	No captions provided.	No Breach - Captioning requirements BI 2775	4/05/2012
Kaeloo	ABV	Inappropriate depictions of violence in a G-classified program.	No Breach—Television classifications (G) BI 2777	24/04/2012
2 Broke Girls	GTV	Inappropriate language and sexual references at the PG classification.	No Breach – Classification of material (PG) BI 2778	24/04/2012
Test Cricket	TCN	Opening sequence and classic catches segment contain tobacco advertisement.	No Breach - Tobacco advertising BI 2726	20/04/2012
ABC News 24	ABD	Inaccurate information and bias in report on lead-up to Russian presidential elections.	No Breach—Factual accuracy; Impartiality BI 2783	20/04/2012
NRL First Preliminary Final	TCN	Paid political advertisement broadcast without required particulars during rugby league commentary. Complaints-handling issue.	Breach - Effort to resolve complaint No Breach - Political matter No Breach - Distinction between advertisements and program material No Breach - Distinction between paid material and other program material BI 2686	19/04/2012
Sunday Roast	NBN	Promotion of politics in sports segment.	No Breach – Dislike, contempt or ridicule; Classification of material BI 2695	19/04/2012
Chiko	SBS	Inappropriate coarse language, violence and drug use in a program classified MA15+.	No Breach - Classification guidelines (MAV15+); Complaints handling BI 2772	19/04/2012
Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta	SBS	Derogatory term used.	No Breach - Prejudice, racism and discrimination BI 2792	19/04/2012
Seven News	NEN	No captions.	Breach - Captioning requirements BI 2756	17/04/2012
Good Christian Bitches	CBN	Program promotions ridiculed Christian women.	No Breach - Dislike, contempt or ridicule BI 2765	12/04/2012
Jandamarra's War	ABW	Inaccurate statements.	No Breach—Accuracy; Discrimination BI 2669	11/04/2012
Today	QTQ	Photograph of Santa Claus smoking a cigarette contravened government ban on tobacco advertising.	No Breach—Tobacco advertising BI 2732	10/04/2012
Dateline	SBS	Program promotion insulted and denigrated the Christian religion.	No Breach - Religion BI 2743	10/04/2012
Australian Open	ATN	Term ‘mental case’ was offensive and disparaging.	No Breach - Dislike, contempt or ridicule BI 2791	10/04/2012
Australia's Got Amazing Talent	HSV	Inappropriate language at the PG classification. Complaints-handling issue.	No Breach – Classification of material (PG language); Complaint-handling BI 2769	4/04/2012
Black Music: An American (R)evolution	SBS	Inappropriate coarse language and violence in a PG classification time zone.	No Breach - Time zones BI 2768	3/04/2012
Today Tonight	SAS	Omission of important information and contempt for disability pensioners in segments about welfare recipients.	No Breach - Dislike or contempt, Factual accuracy BI 2780	3/04/2012
Rage	ABW	Inappropriate depictions of alcohol and tobacco use in a G-classified program.	No Breach—Television classifications (G); Harm and offence (dangerous imitation and threats to health); Children and young people (managing risks of exposure to ABC content); Children and young people (minimise risk of exposure to unsuitable content) BI 2757	2/04/2012
Today Tonight	HSV	Incitement of hatred and panic in a story focused on the Muslim community.	No Breach – Dislike, contempt or ridicule; Factual accuracy; Public panic; Gratuitous emphasis BI 2703	29/03/2012
Sunrise	ATN	The program conveyed inaccurate and damaging statements about a company.	No Breach - Factual accuracy; Unfair identification BI 2728	28/03/2012
Being Human	ADS	Classification of program promotion.	Breach - Program promotions: Display of classification symbols No Breach - Program promotions: Restrictions in PG programs in certain time periods BI 2774	28/03/2012
Tim Minchin vs The Sydney Symphony Orchestra	ABV	Program content incited prejudice against Catholics.	No Breach—Harm or offence; Stereotypes or discriminatory content BI 2749	27/03/2012
Channel Seven News	SAS	Tobacco advertising.	Breach - Tobacco advertising BI 2472	23/03/2012
60 Minutes	WIN	Complaints-handling issue.	Breach - Effort to resolve complaint BI 2625	22/03/2012
Tim Minchin vs The Sydney Symphony Orchestra	ABN	Program content was tasteless and offensive to the Muslim community.	No Breach—Harm or offence; Stereotypes or discriminatory content BI 2748	22/03/2012
Test Cricket	TCN	Broadcast contained racist comments.	No Breach - Serious contempt on grounds of national origin BI 2760	15/03/2012
All 4 Adventure	MGV32	The All 4 Adventure program broadcast on 10 November 2011 contained advertising material.	Breach – Broadcasting advertisements BI 2710	9/03/2012
V	NWS	Inappropriate violence for the M classification.	No Breach - Classification of material BI 2770	9/03/2012
The Mentalist	NBN	Quality of captions.	No Breach - Captioning requirements BI 2737	2/03/2012
The Thick of It	ABW	Inappropriate coarse language for the M classification.	No Breach—Language BI 2752	2/03/2012
60 Minutes	TCN	Regard to feelings of relatives, provide warning, accuracy and viewpoints.	Breach - Regard to feelings of relatives; No warning No Breach - Accuracy BI 2623	1/03/2012
The Slap	ABV	Inappropriate depictions of sex and coarse language for the M classification and discriminatory content.	No Breach—Language; Sex; Harm and offence BI 2739	24/02/2012
ABC News 24	ABV	ABC News 24 channel promotion politically biased.	No Breach—Impartiality BI 2727	23/02/2012
Channel Nine News	WIN	Biased reportage of pay increase for Federal politicians.	No Breach - Impartiality BI 2746	23/02/2012
Two & Half Men	GTV	Quality of captions.	Breach – Captioning BI 2689	20/02/2012
The Slap	ABV	Inappropriate depictions of sex, drug use and themes for the M classification.	No Breach—Inappropriate depictions of sex, drug use and themes BI 2738	10/02/2012
Judith Lucy's spiritual journey	ABN	Child participants exposed to obscene language.	No Breach—Harm or offence; Dignity and welfare of children and young people BI 2673	9/02/2012
Martin Morning	ABV	Depiction of dangerous imitable behaviour in a G-classified program.	No Breach—Dangerous imitation; Manage and minimise risks for children and young people BI 2718	9/02/2012
Channel Nine News	STW	Biased reportage and creation of public panic about carbon tax.	No Breach - Present news fairly and impartially; Create public panic BI 2690	6/02/2012
The Night Watch	ABQ	Inappropriate nudity for the M classification.	No Breach—Sex; Nudity; Harm and offence BI 2735	6/02/2012
7:30	ABN	Vilification and stereotyping of Christians in satirical skit.	No Breach—Stereotypes or discriminatory content BI 2722	1/02/2012
A Current Affair	GTV	Report on gypsies contained factual inaccuracies and incited hatred.	No Breach – Accuracy; Gratuitous emphasis on ethnic origin and race; Dislike, contempt or ridicule BI 2701	30/01/2012
Today Tonight	ATN	Distress caused to witness by reporter’s questioning in segment about a fatal house fire.	No Breach - Exercising sensitivity BI 2721	25/01/2012
Prime Local News	NEN	Quality of captions.	Breach - Captioning requirements BI 2612	24/01/2012
The Gruen Transfer	ABV	Message on panellist’s t-shirt offensive.	No Breach—Harm or offence; Stereotypes or discriminatory content BI 2698	24/01/2012
Channel Nine News	GTV	Program contained factual inaccuracies.	No Breach – Factual accuracy BI 2720	24/01/2012
The Hamster Wheel	ABN	Stereotyping and discriminatory content.	No Breach—Stereotypes or discriminatory content BI 2723	24/01/2012
Four Corners	ABV	Program lacked balance.	No Breach—Balance will be sought BI 2694	23/01/2012
Channel Nine News	TCN	Present news item fairly and impartially.	No Breach - Present news fairly and impartially BI 2707	20/01/2012
Q & A	ABC	Offensive coarse language.	No Breach—Language BI 2724	20/01/2012
Channel Seven News	ATN	News item deliberately misrepresented Sydney Council, disregarded the sensitivities of Australian Aborigines and was biased.	No Breach - Cultural sensitivities; Intense dislike; Fair representation of viewpoints; Fairness and impartiality in news BI 2650	17/01/2012
The Song of Lunch	ABC	M-classified program broadcast in PG time zone.	No Breach—Classification time zone BI 2715	16/01/2012
Lateline	ABV	Program conveyed prejudice, was factually incorrect, was not balanced and was not impartial.	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Unduly favour one perspective over another BI 2638	5/01/2012
Four Corners	ABC	Program about the Sri Lankan civil war was factually incorrect, and was not balanced or impartial.	No Breach—Accuracy; Impartiality; Unduly favour one perspective over another BI 2644	5/01/2012
ABC News	ABC Television	Prejudiced comments against Germans.	No Breach—Stereotypes or discriminatory content BI 2680	5/01/2012