Nearly 100 complaints but Ombudsman finds the use of satire as a form of artistic expression.
The ABC Ombudsman has cleared the comedy special Always Was Tonight, hosted by Tony Armstrong, after a series of complaints.
The Office of the Ombudsman received 96 complaints about the broadcast and 4 complaints about associated short clips published on ABC’s social platforms.
Broadly speaking, the complaints raised concerns about prejudice and insults, suggesting the content was ‘anti-white’, ‘racist’ and ‘divisive’.
More specifically, complainants suggested that the ‘Don’t Ruin The BBQ’ segment contained inaccurate claims about the introduction of smallpox into Aboriginal communities in the 18th century.
Concerns were also raised about the welfare of children who took part in the filming of the ‘No Child Should Call This Place Home’ segment. This segment was also deemed disturbing and without context when viewed in isolation on social media platforms.
ABC Native stated:
Always Was Tonight was billed as a satirical news special that aimed to “decolonize the news – one headline at a time.” The satirical nature of the program would have been apparent to audiences through program descriptions and advance publicity, which characterized it as “a fast-paced, funny and fearless special” with “an agenda to go where no other show dares”, and as “a sharp and satirical show that delivers news with a little more blaklash”.
The ABC will broadcast a wide range of content across television, radio and digital platforms around January 26, including citizenship ceremonies, Australia Day Live and the Australian of the Year Awards. Always Was Tonight was part of this broader offering, and it is important that First Nations perspectives are represented in the national conversation at this time of year.
On the commentary of “Don’t Be a Dog,” ABC Indigenous said:
The program includes informal indigenous terms and expressions used in cultural and narrative contexts. Terms such as “dog” were used in the colloquial sense common within Indigenous communities and were not intended, nor reasonably understood in context, as hate speech or defamation. The host’s use of ‘dog’ is conversational. It is not aggressive or presented in the context of other insults. It is useful to see the statement in context: Armstrong delivers the above in a relatively somber and plaintive tone; the general tone is gentle or sad reproach.
Complaints raised concerns about the welfare of children who took part in the filming of the clip ‘No child should call this place homeABC Native said:
Children’s participation in this segment was carefully planned and managed in accordance with the ABC’s child safety and wellbeing frameworks. The shoot was registered with the relevant NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian, and ABC’s Child Safety and Wellbeing team were consulted throughout development and production.
Parents were provided with the full context and text of the segment in advance and provided informed consent for their children’s participation. Production staff held individual briefings with parents prior to filming to discuss content and answer any questions. During production, there was a qualified Indigenous psychologist on set at all times who was available to support the child participants, as well as a nurse. All industry requirements for working with children were clearly communicated to the crew and strictly adhered to.
ABC Ombudsman Fiona Cameron found that the program was explicitly framed as satire from an Indigenous perspective and did not intend to present a balanced or comprehensive examination of contentious issues. Comedy and satire should be given significant latitude to express ideas that challenge and critique the status quo.
The concerns mainly related to the fact that spectators felt insulted and felt that the program was in poor taste. Taste is a subjective judgment and the ABC’s editorial standards must always be applied in a way that does not unduly restrict journalistic investigation or, as in this case, satire as a form of artistic expression.
While complainants were undoubtedly offended and offense was to be expected, the content could be justified by its editorial purpose of providing a First Nations-led satirical counterpoint to the mainstream media coverage of Australia Day. Mainstream media included extensive ABC coverage and celebrated Australia Day all weekend.
Always was tonight was cleared of any wrongdoing.
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