Editing Media Watch (TV program) (section)

==Notable pieces==

==="Cash for comment"===
{{Main|Cash for comment affair}}
In 1999, ''Media Watch'' revealed a regime of corrupt secret payments within the [[talk radio|talkback radio]] industry which included influential hosts [[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]] and [[John Laws]]. They had been paid to provide favourable on-air comment about companies such as [[Qantas]], [[Optus]], [[Foxtel]] and [[Mirvac]] without disclosing these arrangements to listeners. ''Media Watch'' also persistently criticised the [[Australian Broadcasting Authority]] (ABA) as impotent or unwilling to regulate broadcast media, and to properly scrutinise figures such as Jones and Laws. The revelations won ''Media Watch'' staffers [[Richard Ackland]], [[Deborah Richards]] and Anne Connolly two [[Walkley Awards]]: the [[Gold Walkley]], and the Walkley for TV Current Affairs Reporting (Less Than 10 Minutes).

In 2004, ''Media Watch'' played a major part in forcing the resignation of ABA head [[David Flint]] after it was discovered that Flint had sent Jones admiring and effusive letters at a time when the ABA was investigating Jones concerning further cash for comment allegations. The reports won ''Media Watch'' another Walkley, TV Current Affairs Reporting (Less Than 20 Minutes) to staffers David Marr, [[Peter McEvoy (journalist)|Peter McEvoy]] and Sally Virgoe.

===''60 Minutes'' 1995 massacre at Srebrenica story===
In 2002, [[Nine Network|Channel Nine]] ''[[60 Minutes (Australian TV program)|60 Minutes]]'' reporter [[Richard Carleton]] sued ''Media Watch'' over allegations of [[plagiarism]]. The judge found that the allegations were untrue and declined to award any damages.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Carleton, Media Watch divided over defamation ruling |url=https://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s749989.htm |access-date=2020-10-19 |series=The World Today |series-link=The World Today (Australian radio program) |last=Vincent |first=Michael |network=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |station=ABC Local Radio |date=2002-12-18 |quote="The veteran reporter was horrified to see Media Watch accuse him of plagiarising a BBC documentary on the 1995 massacre at Srebrenica for his Channel Nine program. But today a judge ruled that even though the program did defame Mr Richard Carleton and two colleagues, it was fair comment and no damages were awarded."}}</ref>

==="ACON & The ABC"===

In 2022, ''Media Watch'' ran a piece about "a difficult conversation we all need to have", accusing the ABC of bias against "anti-trans voices" by examining its collaboration with LGBT health organization ACON, and its participation in ACON's "Workplace Equality Index", in which it has at least twice received the title of "Gold Employer". The piece drew significant scorn from ABC news staff, with [[Patricia Karvelas]] responding with "The ABC also participates in other benchmarking indexes to monitor its progress and improve workplace practices, such as those run by the [[Diversity Council Australia]], [[Reconciliation Australia]], and the Australian Network on Disability. But only scrutiny of one group." Luke Siddham Dundon tweeted "The ABC also has relationships with other diversity organisations, so why are you picking on our partnerships with LGBTQI+ communities and organisations?"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/oct/21/abc-news-staff-hit-back-at-media-watch-over-coverage-of-trans-issues |title=ABC news staff hit back at Media Watch over coverage of trans issues |last=Meade |first=Amanda |website=[[The Guardian]]|date=21 October 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022}}</ref> ABC tech reporter Ariel Bogle responded by stating that anti-trans talking points are "often intertwined with far-right entities and narratives".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/media/raises-questions-media-watch-pins-abc-over-partnership-with-lgbt-group-acon/news-story/9cb3a54423f9cb2f67339c0da72bb5f6 |title='Raises questions': Media Watch pins ABC over partnership with LGBT group Acon |website=[[News.com.au]]|date=22 October 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022}}</ref>

The ABC itself issued a statement on the matter, saying "participation in benchmarking indexes has no bearing on content commissioning processes and no influence on editorial content" and "transgender and gender identity issues are complex and require careful editorial judgement to ensure informed reporting without causing offence or undue distress and harm to vulnerable individuals and communities."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://about.abc.net.au/statements/abc-statement-to-media-watch/ |title=ABC statement to Media Watch |website=ABC |date=18 October 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022}}</ref>