Our ABC - reporting allegations as fact

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is suffering a crisis of credibility - their reporting of news is seen to be partisan. For me, this isn't a problem as a news service must have freedom of reporting and editorial independence. What concerns me is shoddy and slipshod reporting practices, the failure to properly research and investigate a story is concerning at best and incompetent at worst. My question is, does ABC management place excessive pressure on reporters to conform to editorial direction or does a lack of journalistic integrity and work ethic exist?

The recent report by George Roberts is a case in point, unsubstantiated claims by asylum seekers claiming abuse by Australian navy personnel. Not only can their claims not be corroborated, but the original claimants are now changing their story - yet this was reported as fact by the ABC. I don't agree with Prime Minister Tony Abbott's view where he felt the ABC ''instinctively takes everyone's side but Australia's'' as the ABC is accountable to the board of directors, not politicians.

Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull summed it up pretty well ''What's the alternative, the editor-in-chief becomes the prime minister? Politicians, whether prime ministers or communications ministers, will often be unhappy with the ABC, but you can't tell them what to write.'' The ABC lacks professionalism and integrity - they had better change the organisational culture or face the consequences.