The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has removed an episode of its educational program Behind The News (BTN) following criticism over alleged biased coverage of school funding in Australia. The episode, which aired on Tuesday as part of BTN High—a version of BTN aimed at secondary school students—featured an eight-minute segment titled "Public vs Private Schools."

The segment included an interview with Jane Caro, a public school advocate, but did not incorporate perspectives from representatives of the independent school sector. Despite being invited to contribute, Independent Schools Australia (ISA) declined to participate due to concerns about the program's framing. The ISA criticized the segment for presenting a one-sided view of a politically sensitive issue without adequately explaining the complexities of school funding.

Following the broadcast, ISA Public Affairs Director Shaun Rigby expressed strong disapproval, describing the episode as “misleading” and “ideologically driven.” Rigby highlighted Caro’s claims that Australia has one of the most segregated education systems in the developed world and that most independent schools receive more funding per student than public schools. He argued these assertions were not substantiated within the program and that the segment’s language, including references to “deep inequities” and the system “entrenching disadvantage,” was not neutral and effectively directed viewers toward a predetermined conclusion.

Rigby further contended that the segment failed to present the foundational facts about how Australian schools are funded, contributing to a misleading portrayal of the issue that reinforced existing stereotypes.

In response to inquiries, the ABC took more than a day to issue a statement confirming the removal of the episode from its digital platforms while the broadcaster reviewed the concerns raised by ISA. An ABC spokesperson noted the decision was made to allow for further assessment of the segment’s content in light of the feedback received.

The incident has reignited debate over media representation of education funding, with calls from independent school advocates for more balanced coverage to reflect the sector's funding mechanisms accurately. The ABC has not announced any further actions or revisions stemming from the review process.