It includes part of a recording of an ABC journalist aggressively abusing Schapelle Corby's sister, Mercedes. Also disclosed is a forum post regarding her father, in which the ABC journalist openly claims to be investigating naval history, rather than Schapelle Corby. JournOz also notes that despite using what would be considered in journalism as an unethical approach, ABC managed to produce no tenable evidence at all to support its false allegations, for which it was subsequently forced to apologize on air.
Rachel James of the Schapelle.Net web portal stated, "ABC ruthlessly pursued Schapelle's family, using the most abusive of methods to falsely manufacture the impression of smoke, and thus fire. It passed the boundary from journalism, into the realms of outright persecution and opinion management. JournOz reveals information which will disturb every decent person, and which is an affront to honest journalists everywhere."
She continued, "The timing of it is particularly nasty. This was a time when the Corby family were struggling to support the direct target of the smears, Schapelle's father, who was dying of cancer. Equally, Schapelle's case was still in legal process. One can only imagine the damage they caused to her welfare, and the additional anguish they caused to Mr Corby during his final months. There are no words to adequately describe what Mr. Stewart and ABC did. But despite such appalling methods, all they could come up with was a smear they later had to apologize for. But of course, by then, the manipulation of public opinion had been effected. Much of the public in Australia remember the smear, and believe it, and have forgotten the tiny retractions which followed."
ABC was asked whether action would be taken against those involved in the shocking activates revealed by JournOz. They were also asked whether they was aware of contact between ABC personal and politicians with respect to reporting on the Schapelle Corby case. They refused to answer these questions, or comment on any other aspect of the JournOz investigation.
UNACCOUNTABILITY
Whether any action can be taken against the ABC is problematic in itself. Official complaint procedures and regulation only apply to single broadcasts, thus excluding official investigation of the more serious and fundamental issues. In terms of long term mis-reporting, and serious misconduct, ABC is not directly accountable to the public.
The latest JournOz article can be viewed on: http://www.journoz.com/
