Introduction
The ABC continuously strives for accuracy and has processes to monitor and improve the quality of our content, but errors will sometimes occur. Part of our commitment to accuracy, accountability and transparency is to make clear and timely corrections.
Corrections and clarifications should occur as soon as reasonably practical. Swift correction can reduce harmful reliance on inaccurate information, especially given that content can be quickly, widely and permanently disseminated. Corrections and clarifications contribute to maintaining trust and credibility and achieving fairness and impartiality.
Adequate and appropriate corrective actions can also assist in resolving complaints at an early stage.
Scope of this guidance note
This guidance note principally relates to correcting factual errors the ABC has broadcast or published on its own platforms and services, or on platforms and services operated by third parties, whether those errors have been detected as a result of external complaints or independently of complaints processes. It also includes situations where content is clarified to address an ambiguity or identified lack of material context.
The note also includes guidance on corrective actions when content may be in breach of editorial standards other than accuracy.
This guidance note does not cover the normal updating of content as new information becomes available.
Key editorial standards
3 Corrections and clarifications
3.1 Acknowledge and correct or clarify, in an appropriate manner as soon as reasonably practicable:
a significant material errors that are readily apparent or have been demonstrated; or
b information that is likely to significantly and materially mislead.
Mandatory referrals
Any decision to remove content as part of corrective action (see ‘Removal’ below) must be upwardly referred to an appropriately senior editorial manager designated for that task in your Division and referred for advice to an Editorial Policy advisor.
Any decision to publish an editor’s note should be made by an editorial manager and an Editorial Policy advisor should be consulted prior to publishing to ensure consistency.
Corrective actions
Correction: Refers to a situation where a clear factual error has been made or where significant material facts or context have been left out of a piece of content, and we take action to correct it. Wherever practical, clear factual errors should be amended whether material or not.
There may be situations where minor errors exist but corrective action is not practical or proportionate, for instance in content on third-party platforms or video/audio content. In these situations, the most proportionate and reasonable approach may be to take no action.
However, the default position should be to correct errors wherever possible in content that continues to be publicly accessible.
Clarification: Refers to a situation where information provided by the ABC may be ambiguous, incomplete, confusing, or open to significant misinterpretation. In such cases, clarification provides an opportunity for greater accuracy or greater fairness to be achieved. Rather than correcting an error, clarification removes the possibility for misunderstanding.
Removal: Refers to a situation where content is flawed and a correction or clarification would not adequately address the situation. This usually relates to online content. Removal is a last resort - generally content will be corrected rather than removed. Removal of content requires referral to an appropriate senior manager (see Mandatory Referrals section). You can read more about the removal of online content in the guidance note Removing Online Content.
Apology: Refers to an apology issued alongside other corrective action, either as a public statement or in a response to a complaint.
The ABC regrets any error it makes, and the commitment to take appropriate corrective action flows from that.
So, it is entirely appropriate to apologise for significant material errors. In these cases, we are in effect apologising to our audience, who have a right to expect us to be accurate.
However, some errors require a more overt statement of apology to specific individuals or organisations as part of the corrective action.
This will be the case when it can be reasonably judged that the error has resulted in harm to an individual or group of individuals. For example, if a damaging claim about an individual is reported and later found to be incorrect, a correction of the error would normally include an apology to that individual.
Determining when such harm has occurred is always a matter for judgement. In particular, issues of possible reputational harm can often carry legal risks for the ABC which need to be managed. Any consideration of such matters should take place in conjunction with ABC Legal, who can advise on the legal implications and, if necessary, assist with appropriate wording.
But in general, if a factual error has resulted in an individual or group being presented in such a way that their standing might be damaged, or significant offence has been caused, or there have been other negative consequences beyond the error itself, then an apology should be considered.
An apology, when required, would normally be made at the same time as the correction or clarification, as part of the same statement.
Definition: material facts
A ‘fact’ describes things or events and is capable of being verified. A ‘material’ fact is one which is relevant or essential to understanding the subject matter or issue being discussed, as distinguished from irrelevant or incidental.
A failure to include significant contextual information may also amount to the omission of a material fact if the information is necessary for a proper understanding of the story.
In cases where a material fact is incorrect or where a material fact has been omitted a correction will generally be required.
For instance, in a story about floods an error of 10 millimetres in river levels would not be material but an error of a metre would be. In a radio bulletin the former would not require an on-air correction, but the latter would.
An example of leaving out significant or material context could be reporting an alleged murder without including that the perpetrator had claimed or pleaded self-defence.
Taking corrective action
Once it has been decided that a correction, clarification, removal or apology is required, take the time to ensure that you get it right.
Whatever the corrective action, accuracy, accountability and transparency should be kept in mind at all times. This helps build trust with the audience.
Editor's notes
An editor’s note is an explanatory note added to a piece of online content as a means of transparently disclosing relevant information to the audience. We use them in two main circumstances:
(1) When we have corrected or clarified the content and need to disclose the change to the audience. In these circumstances the editor’s note should generally be attached at the end of the piece of content. It should clearly describe the error or significant ambiguity which was corrected or clarified. For very serious errors or as part of a legal settlement, the editor’s note may be placed at the beginning of the content.
(2) When online video or audio content includes a material error but re-editing, re-voicing or removing the content is not proportionate or practical. In these circumstances the editor’s note should be prominent enough that audiences accessing the video or audio content will definitely see it.
All editor’s notes should be dated.
Corrective action on social media
When making corrections or clarifications to ABC content on social media platforms, different rules may apply depending on the conventions and the limitations of different platforms. For example, we would not normally delete a post on Facebook or YouTube unless there are legal or editorial requirements for us to do so (for example, to avoid possible defamation or ongoing harm and offence). Under normal circumstances, we would update the platform with a new comment including corrections and apologies as appropriate.
On-air corrections
When errors or omissions are significant and material and have been made in broadcast programs, they should generally be corrected on air at the next available opportunity, at a time and on a program/platform where the correction is most likely to be seen or heard by the same audience. Alternatively, for repeat programs, the error may be fixed for the repeat and online versions.
On-air corrections should contain all relevant information in relation to simple matters which are clear and specific. For example:
‘On last night’s program, we reported that the Government had committed two million dollars over four years to a new direct action carbon reduction program. In fact, the correct figure is two billion dollars.’
In relation to missing context, a clear and specific acknowledgement of what was missing is appropriate. For example:
‘Last night we reported that Mr Smith had resigned as Health Minister after the Opposition revealed he had twice been charged with drink driving offences. We should have included in our story that Mr Smith was ultimately acquitted of both of those charges.’
In relation to more complex matters, it may be appropriate to alert audiences to the fact that an error or errors were made, and to provide details online. For example:
‘Last week in a story about Tasmanian logging, we reported incorrectly on some aspects of the new Intergovernmental Agreement, and in particular about the logging industry’s participation in the process. You can find more details about that on our program website.’
Corrections and clarifications should be added to any relevant online transcript or website connected with the program where the error aired, together with a suitably prominent editor’s note explaining where and why the correction or clarification was made.
Minor, non-material errors will not usually require an on-air correction. There will be occasions when an on-air correction of material on-air errors or omissions may not be appropriate, such as:
- There is no clear or obvious place to make an on-air correction (for example, in the case of one-off, self-contained programming).
- So much time has elapsed that an on-air correction would no longer be relevant (although the more significant the error, the more likely it will be that an on-air correction is required, even after a substantial period of time).
- The situation is so complex that it cannot be adequately covered on air, in which case consideration should be given to an on-air pointer to an online correction.
- Where the on-air correction would have the effect of recreating or adding to the original offence.
Corrections and Clarifications page
Publication of corrections, clarifications or apologies on the Corrections and Clarifications page is required for significant and material errors of fact or omissions, or in circumstances where there is no other suitable place for an enduring record of a corrective action.
In some rare circumstances, apologies are also required to be published on the Corrections and Clarifications page in cases of significant harm and offence, breaches of privacy, or a public statement in settlement of a legal dispute.
Status of guidance note
This guidance note, authorised by the Managing Director, is provided to assist interpretation of the Editorial Policies to which the guidance note relates. The Editorial Policies contain the standards enforceable under the ABC’s internal management processes and under the ABC’s complaints handling procedures.
It is expected the advice contained in guidance notes will normally be followed. In a given situation there may be good reasons to depart from the advice. This is permissible so long as the standards of the Editorial Policies are met. In such situations, the matter should ordinarily be referred upwards. Any mandatory referral specified in guidance notes must be complied with.
Issued: 12 December 2011, Revised 21 May 2025