The Albanese government has rejected a proposal to replace the ABC and SBS ombudsmen with an external independent oversight body. The suggestion came from Jillian Segal, Australia’s antisemitism envoy, who released an updated report about two weeks ago calling for an “external independent ombudsman” to monitor coverage of the war in Gaza on the publicly funded broadcasters.
Segal’s recommendation was included in a list of updated priorities published last month. She argued that the external body would hold ABC and SBS “accountable to their own stated standards of accuracy and impartiality.” The proposal aimed to address concerns about how the broadcasters report on sensitive international issues, particularly the Gaza conflict.
Government sources have made clear that the Albanese administration will not pursue this course of action. Officials noted that a media regulator with oversight functions already exists, rendering the creation of a separate external ombudsman unnecessary. The current ombudsmen for ABC and SBS continue to operate within their established mandates.
The ABC and SBS ombudsmen handle complaints and ensure editorial standards within their respective organisations. Segal’s report implied that these internal mechanisms might not be sufficient when it comes to impartial coverage of contentious topics such as the Gaza war. However, the government’s response suggested confidence in the existing regulatory framework.
Details on the structure or powers of the proposed external body were not made public. Segal’s report did not specify whether the independent ombudsman would have enforcement powers or merely an advisory role. The government’s position indicates that any such external oversight would duplicate efforts already undertaken by the Australian Communications and Media Authority or similar entities.
The debate over media oversight in Australia has intensified amid growing scrutiny of how public broadcasters cover international conflicts and domestic issues. Segal’s role as antisemitism envoy involves monitoring and advising on related concerns, but her suggestion to overhaul ABC and SBS accountability mechanisms has not gained traction in Canberra.
No further announcements about changes to media regulation or ombudsman roles have followed Segal’s report. For now, ABC and SBS will continue under their current editorial complaint processes, overseen internally and by existing regulatory bodies.
This decision underscores the government’s reluctance to alter established media oversight arrangements despite pressure to increase external scrutiny of public broadcasters’ editorial decisions.
According to The Guardian.
