Mark Llewellyn, a veteran television journalist and former executive producer of the program Spotlight, has formally called on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to withdraw a recent Four Corners episode that examined the culture at Seven West Media. The episode, titled "Don’t Speak," aired in August 2024 and has sparked controversy over allegations that the program engaged in misleading practices concerning a key source.
Llewellyn, whose extensive career includes leadership roles at Nine and Seven Network programs such as 60 Minutes and A Current Affair, wrote to ABC managing director Hugh Marks, urging the broadcaster to remove the episode. He accuses Four Corners of “grossly unethical” conduct, asserting that the program intentionally deceived viewers by concealing the identity and relevant background of Taylor Auerbach, a former Spotlight producer who was portrayed as a whistleblower in the investigation.
The episode, fronted by reporter Louise Milligan, relied heavily on Auerbach’s testimony to critique Llewellyn and the broader culture within the Spotlight production team. Milligan described Auerbach as a whistleblower and referenced private text messages exchanged between Llewellyn and Auerbach, characterizing them as “disturbing.” However, Auerbach did not raise complaints about these messages at the time; he later used the texts as part of a confidential workers compensation claim.
Critically, the Four Corners report did not disclose that Auerbach was also implicated in separate allegations of misconduct detailed within the same episode. An anonymous former Spotlight staffer cited in the program accused a male colleague—understood to be Auerbach—of misusing the production budget on an overseas trip while intoxicated and making inappropriate remarks to a female employee relating to an interview with a sexual assault victim. Auerbach has denied these accusations. The ABC has acknowledged knowing about these claims but chose not to identify Auerbach or reveal this context to viewers.
This decision by Four Corners echoes recent scrutiny of the ABC following the removal of multiple stories by journalist Mahmood Fazal due to concerns over the reliability of some anonymous sources. A review found that ABC editorial standards were not adequately met, particularly relating to the use of anonymous interviewees. The ABC stated that Fazal’s stories were withdrawn because they did not comply fully with verification policies.
When questioned about the withheld information regarding Auerbach in the Seven West Media investigation, the ABC maintained that the program adhered to its editorial standards.
Llewellyn expressed confidence that Marks would respond to what he described as deliberate deception and unethical journalism in one of the ABC’s flagship current affairs programs. He urged a thorough investigation and the removal of the episode, arguing that viewers had been denied a fair and informed perspective on serious allegations.