ABC’s main current affairs programme, Q+A, received no fewer than 2,100 complaints from viewers last year.
Ombudsman Fiona Cameron said most of the issues raised by fans related to the panel’s reporting on the war in Gaza.
Industry blog Television tonight reports that the complaints appear to have been a targeted campaign, accusing Q+A of being “pro-Israel” and alleged Islamophobia and racism.
Of the complaints against Q+A, 1,974 arose from a single episode.
Complaints accused the show of lacking impartiality and creating “harm and insult” over the way a discussion on the Gaza conflict was handled.
ABC’s main current affairs programme, Q+A, received no fewer than 2,100 complaints from viewers last year. Ombudsman Fiona Cameron said most of the issues raised by fans related to the panel’s reporting on the war in Gaza. Pictured: current host Patricia Karvalas
According to the report, many of the complaints were ‘identically worded’. Meanwhile, TV Tonight reports that people were urged to contact the ABC and advised on how to ‘outline a complaint’.
Cameron later noted that the ABC’s coverage of the war in Gaza was generally “professional, wide-ranging and reflective of newsworthy events,” the publication said.
It comes after Q+A managed to escape the ax last year, despite declining viewing figures.
Industry blog TV Tonight reports that the complaints appear to have been a targeted campaign, accusing Q+A of being “pro-Israel” and alleging Islamophobia and racism following comments made by a panelist on the show.
The once-popular panel show returned this year with a shortened season of just 24 episodes – reduced from 40.
A staff email leaked to the Financial Review in December revealed that the national broadcaster would run the controversial chat show in four six-week periods.
Radio National presenter Patricia Karvalas was announced as the presenter for the new season, which started on Monday 19 February.
The show will end after March 25, before returning for three more six-week slots: April 29 to June 3, then August 12 to September 16, and finally October 21 to November 25.
According to the report, many of the complaints were ‘identically worded’. Meanwhile, TV Tonight reports that people were urged to contact the ABC and advised on how to ‘outline a complaint’. Pictured: former Q+A Stan Grant
Karvelas takes over the top spot after a tumultuous year for the program, which saw Stan Grant resign and viewership declines.
Once seen as setting the news agenda with its hard-hitting discussions of current affairs, the show has struggled to stay afloat amid a revolving door of presenters and changing time slots over the past two years.
According to OzTam ratings, one episode in 2023 scored 194,000 viewers in the five major cities.