ABC appoints Alan Sunderland for independent review into broadcaster’s conduct after Spotlight investigation
Media executive and journalist Alan Sunderland will be conducting an independent review into the national broadcaster’s conduct after a bombshell 7NEWS Spotlight investigation revealed audio used in a video was allegedly altered.
The ABC has appointed Mr Sunderland to review its own conduct after 7NEWS Spotlight revealed audio used by the public broadcaster was allegedly altered to paint special forces veteran Heston Russell as being a war criminal.
Mr Sunderland has spent 40 years working for SBS and the ABC as a journalist.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.He was the ABC’s editorial director from 2013 to 2019.
He is also a former executive director of the International Organisation of News Ombudsmen, as well as an independent journalist member of the Australian Press Council.
The appointment comes amid revelations that the ABC had edited audio to make it appear as though extra shots were fired during Mr Russell’s 2012 deployment in Afghanistan.
Managing director David Anderson said the video had been removed after a preliminary inspection had identified an editing error in the audio.
“Based on preliminary inspection, an editing error in the audio was identified and we have removed the video. This error should not have occurred,” he said.
