This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/may/10/abc-chinese-web-portal-editorial-policies

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
ABC admits its Chinese web portal breached editorial policies ABC admits its Chinese web portal breached editorial policies
(4 months later)
The ABC has admitted its international web portal AustraliaPlus.cn failed to abide by the ABC’s own editorial policies when a journalist removed content critical of China from several news stories.The ABC has admitted its international web portal AustraliaPlus.cn failed to abide by the ABC’s own editorial policies when a journalist removed content critical of China from several news stories.
ABC management is investigating why key facts were removed from the Chinese version of ABC Online content, an act that is in breach of the ABC’s editorial policies and the guidelines that producers at ABC International are governed by.ABC management is investigating why key facts were removed from the Chinese version of ABC Online content, an act that is in breach of the ABC’s editorial policies and the guidelines that producers at ABC International are governed by.
When the Coalition ended the funding for ABC International’s Australia Network in 2014, the broadcaster restructured to a magazine-style web portal called AustraliaPlus.cn. It is advertiser-funded and is not intended to be a news service.When the Coalition ended the funding for ABC International’s Australia Network in 2014, the broadcaster restructured to a magazine-style web portal called AustraliaPlus.cn. It is advertiser-funded and is not intended to be a news service.
Related: ABC rejects criticism its Chinese web portal bows to Beijing censorship
Media Watch uncovered three instances in which key facts were omitted from a news report about the prime minister’s visit to China. Details about international concern about human rights in China were deleted.Media Watch uncovered three instances in which key facts were omitted from a news report about the prime minister’s visit to China. Details about international concern about human rights in China were deleted.
Sources told Guardian Australia that even when the ABC had the contract for the Australia Network, which was fully funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, there were pressures from the advertising department to “produce any content that will attract advertising, sponsorship or governmental favours for their broadcast outlet”.Sources told Guardian Australia that even when the ABC had the contract for the Australia Network, which was fully funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, there were pressures from the advertising department to “produce any content that will attract advertising, sponsorship or governmental favours for their broadcast outlet”.
Another report on the South China Sea by ABC News was edited in the Chinese version to remove a mention of the US deploying a destroyer near the Spratly Islands.Another report on the South China Sea by ABC News was edited in the Chinese version to remove a mention of the US deploying a destroyer near the Spratly Islands.
A spokesman for the ABC said the portal was meant to promote the Australia-China relationship and was never meant to carry hard news. The stories that were edited should not have been posted in the first place, he said.A spokesman for the ABC said the portal was meant to promote the Australia-China relationship and was never meant to carry hard news. The stories that were edited should not have been posted in the first place, he said.
“In keeping with the intent of the service these stories would only have been published on the AustraliaPlus English language site, as indeed they were, in full,” he said.“In keeping with the intent of the service these stories would only have been published on the AustraliaPlus English language site, as indeed they were, in full,” he said.
“ABC International’s processes for curation and publication of content from other parts of the ABC include ensuring relevance, contextualisation, translation, editing for brevity, and consideration of rights and technical constraints.“ABC International’s processes for curation and publication of content from other parts of the ABC include ensuring relevance, contextualisation, translation, editing for brevity, and consideration of rights and technical constraints.
Related: ABC boss Michelle Guthrie faces barrage of questions four days into job
“Attribution to original reports and links to the source articles are included. These processes of editing and contextualising must be carried out in full compliance of the ABC’s Editorial Policies and should not include removal of elements which change the original intent of the story.“Attribution to original reports and links to the source articles are included. These processes of editing and contextualising must be carried out in full compliance of the ABC’s Editorial Policies and should not include removal of elements which change the original intent of the story.
“ABC International acknowledges that we did not follow our standard practice for curating ABC content. ABC News staff in China are in no way connected to this issue.“ABC International acknowledges that we did not follow our standard practice for curating ABC content. ABC News staff in China are in no way connected to this issue.
“As a result ABC International is working closely with the ABC editorial director and ABC People to ensure consistency of our content and to tighten editorial oversight. A review of editorial processes and training is underway.”“As a result ABC International is working closely with the ABC editorial director and ABC People to ensure consistency of our content and to tighten editorial oversight. A review of editorial processes and training is underway.”
It is the second time in recent weeks the ABC has been forced to defend its Chinese web portal against accusations it helps Beijing to silence critical voices in the region.It is the second time in recent weeks the ABC has been forced to defend its Chinese web portal against accusations it helps Beijing to silence critical voices in the region.
In April, Prof John Fitzgerald, director of the Asia Pacific program in social investment and philanthropy at Swinburne University of Technology, accused the ABC of selling out its news values in order to get a foothold in China.In April, Prof John Fitzgerald, director of the Asia Pacific program in social investment and philanthropy at Swinburne University of Technology, accused the ABC of selling out its news values in order to get a foothold in China.
At the time, the ABC strongly denied it was censoring its content. “The ABC has not, and never has, entered into an agreement with China or any country in regards to censorship of its content,” it said.At the time, the ABC strongly denied it was censoring its content. “The ABC has not, and never has, entered into an agreement with China or any country in regards to censorship of its content,” it said.