Independent review into doctored audio scandal raised in Heston Russell’s 7NEWS Spotlight investigation

The ABC is commissioning an independent review into its own journalism after a 7NEWS Spotlight investigation unearthed audio that was allegedly doctored to accuse Australian Commando Heston Russell of war crimes.

Outgoing ABC Managing Director David Anderson on Friday afternoon said the 2022 story would fall under the scope of a review to “fully understand what has occurred and make any necessary recommendations”.

The ABC has removed the online article and associated video content “until further notice”.

“Further information on the review will be provided and I will give an update on the findings at an appropriate time,” Anderson said.

“I will be providing an update regarding who will heading up the independent review in the coming days.”

Shadow Minister for Communications David Coleman said the ABC “must commit to being totally transparent on this review and to releasing its findings in a timely fashion”.

“After all, taxpayers fund the ABC and deserve to know all of the facts about what has gone on here,” Coleman said.

“Communications Minister Michelle Rowland must also be transparent about all advice she has received from the ABC on this matter.”

The ABC News online article and 7.30 story alleged Russell had fired at unarmed civilians while on deployment in Afghanistan in 2012, and included footage captured by commandos.

Russell launched a successful defamation case against the national broadcaster, in which a federal court judge found the ABC’s public interest defence was not proven.

The ABC was slammed for causing Russell “serious harm” and ordered to pay him $390,000 in damages.

“An issue with the audio on a video accompanying the online story was first brought to the attention of ABC News last week and it immediately looked into the claims. Based on preliminary inspection, an editing error in the audio was identified and we have removed the video. This error should not have occurred,” Anderson said.

“Other allegations have subsequently been made about the ABC’s reporting and use of the helmet cam footage, including how it was edited in the 7.30 broadcast.

“It has now come to my attention that in November 2022, ABC Legal was sent a letter raising concerns about the audio editing. Regrettably, at no point was this letter, or the information in the letter, disseminated to ABC News.

7NEWS Spotlight’s report into the ABC misreporting of veteran Russell’s time in service forced the national broadcaster to launch an investigation into its own journalism and delete a video.

“We have removed the online video where an error has been identified, based on preliminary inspection of the audio,” the ABC said in a statement to 7NEWS Spotlight after last Sunday’s broadcast.

“The ABC is seeking more information on how this occurred.”

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