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ABC Chief Rebuts BBC Comparison Over Trump Speech Editing

In a National Press Club address, Hugh Marks labeled the criticism opportunistic to highlight the ABC’s independent structure.

Overview

  • Marks rejected claims that Four Corners mirrored BBC Panorama’s edit of Donald Trump’s January 6 speech, calling the comparison opportunistic and false.
  • He said the ABC’s governance — with an independent board and a managing director separate from the board — underpins impartiality and reduces second-guessing.
  • Marks urged a shift from defensiveness to promptly owning and correcting mistakes, saying accountability should be routine.
  • The ABC has pushed back on the Four Corners allegation, stating the edit of Trump’s remarks did not change the meaning.
  • His comments come as the BBC faces fallout from its Panorama error, including executive resignations and a US$1.5 billion lawsuit threat from Trump.