ABC Radio has inaccurately reported the contents of a Swedish TV program to the Australian audience.
A story run on ABC Radio Country Hour (March 6, 2008) contained major inaccuracies about bribery, which stem from taking material out of context.
ABC Radio Country Hour said “…the program … shows footage of a lobbyist hired by the Australian Sheep and Wool Industry Taskforce, offering a free trip to a Swedish participant if she agreed to not appear in the documentary.”
The truth – from the actual transcript of the Swedish TV program put to air on February 24, 2008 – is that Kevin Craig, the Taskforce representative, noted there was no point coming to Australia to look at mulesing and live export if the program had already been broadcast.
Ian McLachlan, AWI's Chairman, said "Clearly it would've been a bribe if Craig had offered a free trip in return for not appearing in the show; such a corrupt offer simply was never made or contemplated."
This was an offer to the activist to provide her with an opportunity to see for herself, the reality of what happens in Australia, and therefore would be fully informed of the situation, before she appeared on TV to discuss the matter.
It is not a bribe, it does not 'offer a free trip for silence' as claimed by the ABC.
Moreover, this part of the conversation was actually about the live sheep trade. The animal rights activist refers to live export ships in her answer and this was not reported by the ABC.
The ABC refuses to provide its background information.
The false allegations made by the ABC have been incredibly damaging to the Australian wool industry. The ABC must review its material against the transcript (attached), and make an apology to its Australian audiences for taking material out of context and mis-informing the public.
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
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