Senator Ludlam asked:

Could you provide details of as to why this documentary was not broadcast? What is the process
for reviewing content against the ABC editorial policies?

Is it correct that it was not broadcast because the ABC would have to broadcast a pro-war
documentary to "balance" it?

Answer:

The documentary Hope in a Slingshot deals with a matter of deep and continuing contention, the
conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The documentary was assessed by ABC TV as
‘opinion content' within the meaning of the ABC Editorial Policies. Hope in a Slingshot was
assessed as taking a pro-Palestinian perspective, not a pro-peace perspective as is contended by
the filmmakers.

Section 6 of the Editorial Policies requires that the ABC present a diversity of perspectives on
matters of contention. This can be achieved by providing content of a similar type and weight in
an appropriate timeframe.

It is in the nature of the TV production industry that multiple documentaries of the requisite
quality that explore any matter of contention from opposing points of view will rarely, if ever,
become available for acquisition by broadcasters at the same time. ABC TV made the judgement
that it could not acquire a documentary of such quality that, in combination with Hope in a
Slingshot, reflected and addressed the appropriate diversity of perspectives within an appropriate
timeframe.

The Editorial Policies allow for a discussion program to be presented in association with a pointof-
view documentary, so that a diversity of perspectives other than the documentary's point of
view can be expressed and the audience can make up its own mind. ABC TV decided it could not
present a discussion program in association with Hope in a Slingshot because, broadcast on its
own, Hope in a Slingshot does not address this most contentious issue in a manner that was
sufficiently transparent and comprehensive in order to set an appropriate foundation for a
discussion program of the standard this issue requires.

In addition, and quite separately from considerations relating to the ABC Editorial Policies, ABC
TV's judgement after acquiring Hope in a Slingshot was that, as an advocacy piece on a particular
issue, it was of insufficient editorial integrity, weight and quality for broadcast or to serve as a
platform for a broader discussion program.

Budget Estimates Hearings May 2010 Question No. 21