ABC News admits 'human error' wiped Israel from map

AACA determined:

 Within the context of the Media Watch segment which especially sought to provide context to the Daily Mail’s article, Audience and Consumer Affairs are satisfied that viewers would not be materially misled by the inclusion of the graphic from The World. Nevertheless, we have noted your concerns and made them available to the program, ABC Television and ABC News for their consideration.

Challenging AACA’s determination as “perplexing” – I responded:

The yellow shading in covering a larger area than where the laws are applicable was not accurate because:

(i) the yellow shaded area mistakenly included Israel and 

(ii) the yellow shaded area mistakenly identified and clearly labelled "Israel" as "Palestine"

Surely this admitted "human error" needs to be publicly acknowledged by the ABC and a public correction or clarification issued.

I would further submit that this human error comes within part 2.1 of the ABC's editorial standards - which you do not appear to have even considered:

"2.1 Make reasonable efforts to ensure that material facts are accurate and presented in context"

AACA replied:

We have nothing further to add to our substantive response.

This dismissive response coming from the annual $1 billion taxpayer-funded ABC is not acceptable.

.

Reprimanding those responsible for this “human error” and those who sought to publicly justify Israel’s exclusion from the map using artificially-contrived reasons is surely warranted – particularly as the ABC has been recently accused of anti-Israel bias.

Media Watch certainly needs to issue a clarification and apology.