ABC Ombudsman Finds Two Four Corners Episodes Breached Editorial Standards

ABC Ombudsman Fiona Cameron found two Four Corners episodes, Cocaine Nation and Meth Highway, breached the broadcaster's editorial standards after reviewing broadcasts, transcripts, fact-checking records and conducting eight formal interviews. Her report found failures to verify several contributors, disclose uncertainty and a reporter's relationship with one source, obtain approval for disguising another contributor, and maintain independence and integrity. The breaches involved standards 1.1, 2.1, 2.2 and 5.9c. Cameron issued seven recommendations, including removing material, publishing a correction, investigating further, revising anonymity rules, strengthening training and fact-checking expectations, and improving management support.