When the Australian Press Council (APC) ruled that The Australian newspaper had published three misleading, unfair, and inaccurate articles about former ACT prosecutor Shane Drumgold, the response from the Murdoch-owned broadsheet was nothing short of dramatic. On Thursday, The Australian published an extensive 4,000-word rebuttal, which included a front-page story, a detailed timeline, two opinion pieces, and a critical editorial questioning the APC’s competence and integrity.
This vehement reaction is particularly noteworthy given News Corp’s significant influence over the APC, as it contributes up to 70% of the council’s $1.7 million annual budget. Despite this influence, the APC ruled in favor of Drumgold, prompting The Australian to challenge the decision with independent legal opinions, which the council dismissed as irrelevant to its editorial standards judgment.
The Role of Janet Albrechtsen and Perceived Bias
Janet Albrechtsen, a columnist for The Australian, authored all three contested articles. The APC noted a “significant omission” in failing to disclose her involvement in the inquiry into the Bruce Lehrmann trial, where Drumgold served as prosecutor. In 2024, the ACT Supreme Court found that extensive communications between Walter Sofronoff and Albrechtsen created an impression of bias during the inquiry, citing 273 interactions that suggested Sofronoff “might have been influenced by the views held and publicly expressed” by Albrechtsen.
Drumgold’s complaint to the APC centered on these articles misrepresenting the inquiry’s findings. Despite The Australian’s efforts to overturn the preliminary adverse finding, the APC upheld its decision, emphasizing the thorough examination of the stories and the breach of its principles.
“Our findings resulted from a thorough and careful examination of the stories complained about and the identification of clear areas where the Council’s principles had been breached,” the APC stated. “All parties had ample opportunity to put their case, and all views were carefully considered.”
Michael Rowland’s Departure from ABC
Meanwhile, veteran journalist Michael Rowland announced his departure from the ABC after nearly four decades. Rowland, who spent his final year as 7.30’s national affairs reporter, addressed his decision on ABC News Breakfast, citing personal reasons related to his wife Nicki’s health. However, some media outlets sensationalized his remarks, suggesting his departure was solely to care for his wife.
Rowland clarified to Weekly Beast that while Nicki had been unwell, she had recovered, and the headlines were exaggerated. “She has been unwell but she’s bounced back,” he said, criticizing the lack of fact-checking by reporters.
Educational Disparities and Media Oversights
In South Australia, a report by the Sunday Mail highlighted the stark contrast between public and private school facilities. Public school students often contend with inadequate classrooms, while their private school counterparts benefit from advanced sports and arts centers. However, the impact of the story was somewhat diminished by a headline error, which read “Bridge the eductional gulf, urge teachers.”
Anna Murdoch-Mann’s Passing and Media Reflections
The media landscape was further stirred by the passing of Anna Murdoch-Mann, mother of Lachlan Murdoch. Her death was reported by the New York Post, a Murdoch tabloid, after being kept private for several days. Described by the Australian Financial Review as “the central domestic presence” in Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, her influence was significant during the company’s growth in the 1980s and 1990s.
“She played a foundational role in the history of the company,” said Lachlan biographer Paddy Manning. “She had a huge influence on the success of the company as it went through its most spectacular growth phase.”
ABC’s New Documentary Initiative
In a move signaling a shift in focus, the ABC is set to debut its first project from a new news documentary unit. “Diabolical: the Epstein Files,” airing on March 2, features reporter Grace Tobin investigating the controversial Epstein case. This initiative follows the cancellation of Q+A, with funds redirected to support in-depth journalism.
ABC’s managing director Hugh Marks expressed pride in the new direction: “I couldn’t be prouder of this debut and the signal it sends about our commitment to truth-driven storytelling, and the ABC’s focus on covering issues of global relevance.”
As the media landscape continues to evolve, these developments underscore the ongoing challenges and transformations within the industry, from editorial accountability to new storytelling ventures.
