The ABC Ombudsman’s Office has investigated a complaint from the Council of the Australian War Memorial regarding the Four Corners program ‘Sacrifice’ and released its detailed investigation report, which has found no breach of the ABC’s Editorial Policies on any grounds.

Extensive media coverage has been given to the Council’s claim that the program inserted construction noise into the Last Post ceremony and created an impression ongoing works disrupted a commemorative event.  

The Ombudsman’s finding is that “the episode did not suggest that construction noise from the development site had disrupted a Last Post ceremony”.

It says: “We think that Four Corners is correct that no reasonable viewer would interpret this series of scenes as a continuous sequence. Even a viewer who might have got the impression that the recording of the Last Post was live audio from the ceremony in the first or second scene would have understood that it was then “borrowed” as a unifying musical soundtrack for the following (related but separate) scenes.” 

The Australian War Memorial commemorates the men and women who have lost their lives fighting for our nation. It is appropriate the public be fully informed about issues affecting  one of Australia’s most significant shrines. ‘Sacrifice’ examined links between the memorial and the global arms industry and raised important questions about conflicts of interest, corporate influence and the memorial’s future. 

The ABC stands by this piece of public interest journalism by reporter Mark Willacy and the Four Corners team, which brings important issues to the public’s attention. Both the ceremony and the Last Post were presented respectfully and in context.

It is regrettable that News Corporation in its reporting of the Council’s complaint has attempted to link this editorial issue with the Anzac Day coverage the ABC provides for Australians each year across our platforms. 

Anzac Day is one of the largest and most important events the ABC covers. The ABC’s coverage includes a live broadcast of the Anzac Day Dawn Service from the Australian War Memorial and live coverage of dawn services, local marches and other key commemorative events in towns and cities around Australia. We are proud of the ABC’s role in this significant national event.

Media contact: Sally Jackson | ABC Communications

[email protected]