Letter sent to the Shadow Minister for Communications, Hon Sarah Henderson, on 16.04.26
Dear Senator Henderson,
After watching you in Senate Estimates hearings repeatedly challenge ABC bosses about the public broadcaster’s biased reporting, I thought I should write to you about that same matter, and the altogether unsatisfactory responses I have received from ABC Complaints, from the ABC Ombudsman and, disappointingly, from the Federal Communications Minister, Anika Wells.
My first complaint – sent 17.05.25 (with a response 27.05.25) – was about incorrect terminology in an article on Pesutto vs Deeming, in which the rally was described as an ‘anti-trans rights rally’. Unfortunately, I used the phrase ‘anti-trans rally’ – omitting the word ‘rights’ – which gave them an out.
After that, I very carefully looked at how the ABC presented that rally in its reporting. I analysed 80 different articles – including text, audio and video – between 27 March 2023 and 28 May 2025. Of the 80 identified articles published by the ABC, 64% described the event as an ‘anti-trans rights’ rally or event (for the full analysis and correspondence, please see https://womenspeaktas.au/2025/10/10/abc-bias-in-terminology-used-to-describe-the-let-women-speak-rally-letter-to-the-abc-ombudsman/), even though the event was described by the organisers as a rally in defence of women’s rights.
I sent this to the ABC Ombudsman, Fiona Cameron, who responded two months later saying, “The ABC Ombudsman’s Office has the discretion to reject a content complaint for investigation, including where the complaint is made 3 months from the date the content was first made available. In this case, given the age of the content, we have determined that our office will not investigate the matter.”
I wrote to Anika Wells MP on 27 Feb 2026 to question the ABC Ombudsman’s response. I wrote to ask how it is possible to demonstrate a sustained or systemic pattern of bias, rather than an isolated incident, when the ABC’s policy restricts the reporting period to three months. Patterns of bias, by their nature, often become apparent only over time, across multiple programs, presenters, or editorial decisions. A three-month limitation appears to make it effectively impossible to submit evidence that shows such longer-term trends. The response from her office was to direct me back to the very process I had followed and was writing to her to complain about. (Her office’s response is here (I initially, incorrectly, sent it to Hon Michelle Rowland): https://womenspeaktas.au/2026/02/19/abc-complaint-referred-to-the-minister-for-communications-letter-to-hon-rowland/)
I have no doubt that the ABC’s participation in ACON’s Workplace Equality Index has had a profound effect on reporting on this significant issue and that the ABC Ombudsman, which claims to “ensure fairness, objectivity, and transparency in the content complaint process, to build trust with Australian audiences and to help safeguard the ABC’s independence and integrity”, has been equally corrupted by subscribing to ACON’s WEI, which is, in effect, lobbying.
Beyond bringing yet another example of ABC bias to your attention (apologies if you are already aware), I wanted to address the Minister’s sidestepping of the issue and appallingly inadequate response, but also ask you if you think the role of the ABC Ombudsman is fit for purpose. Based on what I’ve experienced, and others like me, I would say, resoundingly, no.
Kind regards,
A. Johnsen