Hancock Prospecting calls for public apology over ‘appalling’ ABC video targeting Gina Rinehart

Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has called for a public apology from the ABC and for action to be taken against those who allowed a segment to air that “glorified sexualised and political violence and murder” against the billionaire.

The company said “appalling material”, presented by the taxpayer-funded ABC as ‘entertainment’ had “illustrated and graphically described Mrs Rinehart being sodomised and tortured in a manner that would kill her.”

“If the ABC believes it can hide behind the false shield of ‘satire’ to glorify sexualised and political violence and murder, then it has completely lost sight of its editorial responsibilities and, surely this is outside its Charter?,” a Hancock Prospecting spokesperson said.

The mining giant’s call for an apology relates to a four-minute video titled “A Very Relaxing Video”, that was aired in a July 12 episode on the broadcaster’s program Race Around The World.

The segment features a character described as a “Scottish forest warrior ninja” leading program contestant Kate Guinness through relaxation exercises and nature-based activities before ending with a violent reference to Ms Rinehart.

“Because when the revolution comes, will you hide under the bed? Or will you know exactly how to shove a stick right up Gina Rinehart’s butthole,” the film said.

“Stirring it around, mixing her guts up nice and smooth, making her into one big sausage roll to make something out of nothing.”

In a statement, an ABC spokesperson said the video was “satirical in tone”, acknowledging all content published by the broadcaster was bound by editorial guidelines.

“Race Around the World features films created by amateur filmmakers, whose contributions reflect their own viewpoints and creative treatments,” the spokesperson said.

“While contributors are not ABC journalists, all content broadcast by the ABC is subject to the ABC’s editorial standards, policies, and review processes. In this case, the film was intended to be satirical in tone and considered to be editorially justifiable within the context of the program.

“We recognise that audiences may respond differently to creative content and hold a range of views about how it is presented. One of the judges critiqued the film during their assessment, and that feedback was included in the program.”

The Hancock spokesperson said the segment was not an unscripted live comment, adding it would have “passed through production, editorial and broadcast processes.”

“It is nothing short of disgusting that the ABC would encourage and normalise violence and murder by broadcasting, publishing and continuing to distribute this content,” the spokesperson said.

“A public apology would be the minimum appropriate response, but more importantly, a light must be shone on who let this go to air in prime time, and action taken.”