King Charles's 'jarring' Coronation coverage on ABC did not breach impartial standards

ABC received over 1,800 complaints about its coverage of the ceremony on May 6, however the ombudsman found the broadcaster was not in breach of its standards on impartiality.

By Catherine Meyer-Funnell, Royal Reporter based in London

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The coverage of Coronation on Australian network ABC has been found not to have been in breach of editorial rules on impartiality, although it was said to be "jarring and distracting" for some viewers. A total of 1,832 complaints were made about a segment of the coverage which showed while a panel discussed 'critical perspectives on the role of the Monarchy in modern Australia', with the guests touching on Indigenous issues.

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The segment ran from 5.15pm until 6pm Australian Eastern Standard Time, which in the UK would have been about 8.15am until 9am when the very first guests started to arrive at the Abbey.

The ombudsman said: "While the ABC should on all occasions be fair, accurate and open minded, the impartiality standards do not require that every perspective receives equal time, nor that every facet of every argument is presented."

The panel was hosted by Jeremy Fernandez and Julia Baird, republic movement co-chair Craig Foster, and MP Julian Leeser, a Liberal Party advocate of a Voice to Parliament, which helps to give Indigenous communities in Australia the opportunity to inform policy and legal decisions that impacts on them.

The coverage also featured Stan Grant, who stepped down as presenter of ABC's Q+A following a torrent of racial abuse against his Indigenous heritage.

King Charles III Queen Camilla - Coronation Day

ABC's coverage of the Coronation caused some complaints (Image: Getty)

BRITAIN-ROYALS-CORONATION

The Coronation on May 6 (Image: Getty)

According to the ombusman's report several more "conservative voices" were invited to appear on the panel but declined the opportunity.

ABC Managing Director David Anderson admitted many of the complaints were thinly veiled racial attacks but others addressed the discussion of the topic while guests were arriving for the service.

The report said: "It was the decision to schedule the panel discussion between 5-6pm while footage of the arrivals at the Abbey was being broadcast, that attracted the most criticism and complaints received by the ABC.

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King Charles III And Queen Camilla

The monarchy in Australia has been a contentious issue recently (Image: Getty)

Anthony Albanese at the Coronation

Australian PM Anthony Albanese at the Coronation (Image: Getty)

"There were clearly instances where the footage being presented from London did not relate to the nature of the critical discussion being had by the panel in Australia, which was jarring and distracting for some of the audience as evidenced by complaints received."

The ABC has defended the coverage saying it was important a "diversity of views" was presented, adding that this 45 minute discussion was a small part of their coverage of the day.

This week the King and Queen Consort faced further controversy as it was revealed they will be holding a second Coronation ceremony in July in spite of financial pressures.

In the summer the royals will be crowned in a special Scottish ceremony, a service of dedication and thanksgiving, and will be presented with the Honours of Scotland.

The King And Queen Consort Visit Scotland

The King and Queen will have a second Coronation ceremony in Scotland (Image: Getty)

Charles will host a garden party in Edinburgh on July 4, with the ceremony expected to take place the following day although this has not been confirmed.

The Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle will be closed between July 4 and 6, with the entire castle closed on July 5.

Operation Golden Orb, the codename for the Coronation, cost an estimated £100million, most of which was spent on security on the day.

The London-based ceremony earlier this month was a Church of England service, however, the Scottish ceremony will allow the King to dedicate to his Scottish subjects.

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