A culture of secrecy and inadequate factchecking at the ABC’s leading investigative program has been criticised by an independent watchdog, Australian reports. The ABC ombudsman yesterday found two episodes of the Four Corners program led by a bikie turned journalist had breached editorial standards. Mahmood Fazal was sacked in May and has denied any wrongdoing after questions were raised regarding the anonymous sources used in the Cocaine Nation and Meth Highway episodes aired during 2023 and 2024.
Both were removed by the ABC due to accuracy concerns. ABC chair Kim Williams elevated the allegations to ombudsman Fiona Cameron who found the national broadcaster had failed to meet its own editorial standards for accuracy, fair and honest dealing, and independence and integrity. Audiences were given a misleading impression of who key contributors were, alleges the report from Cameron.
In both episodes, a masked figure who purportedly dealt cocaine to Sydney’s elite was featured. Media Watch later reported Sydney-based rapper Charissa Habkouk played the role as a favour to Fazal. Cameron confirmed this was “materially misleading” to the audience and recommended a full investigation in the use of anonymous and confidential sources.
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