The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found that a March 2025 episode of the ABC’s Four Corners program breached its impartiality obligations, reigniting scrutiny of the public broadcaster’s editorial practices. The report, titled "Sacrifice" and presented by journalist Mark Williams, examined the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial and was found to have unduly favoured one side of the debate.

ACMA’s investigation determined that the program insufficiently explained key findings from an Australian National Audit Office report, instead focusing predominantly on criticisms of the redevelopment project. The review also noted that the episode conflated different stages of the consultation process related to the redevelopment, potentially causing confusion among viewers regarding the accuracy of statements made by the Memorial’s director.

Nerida O’Loughlin, chair of ACMA, criticised Four Corners for its framing, emotive language, and selective treatment of interviewees, which collectively skewed the program in favour of detractors of the Memorial’s redevelopment. She emphasised the importance of impartiality in public broadcasting, stating that while investigative journalism plays a vital role in public discourse, it must provide balanced and contextualised coverage of contentious issues.

O’Loughlin expressed disappointment that the ABC rejected the regulator’s findings and declined to take any remedial action. "It is disappointing that the ABC chooses to regularly dispute the findings of the regulator when we stand in place of ordinary reasonable viewers," she said, underscoring ACMA’s expectation that the broadcaster incorporate regulatory feedback to improve future reporting. The authority is currently considering whether to pursue formal regulatory measures in response to the breach.

In contrast, ABC managing director and editor-in-chief Hugh Marks defended the report and its journalist, disputing the ACMA’s conclusion. Marks acknowledged ACMA’s regulatory role but warned that broad application of this interpretation of the ABC Code of Practice could suppress investigative journalism critical to public interest reporting. He reiterated the broadcaster’s commitment to quality journalism and rejected the assertion that the episode was unfair or biased.

The episode had attracted significant attention for its allegations that the Australian War Memorial accepted funding from major global weapons manufacturers, a practice former insiders described as inappropriate for an institution dedicated to commemorating the human cost of war. The controversy prompted former Labor leader Kim Beazley, chair of the War Memorial’s council, to file the complaint with ACMA. Beazley criticised the ABC’s refusal to adequately address the issues raised and has called for the program’s removal from the broadcaster’s platforms, asserting the council’s determination to protect the Memorial’s reputation.

This marks the second time in 2026 that ACMA has found Four Corners in breach of the ABC Code of Practice, highlighting ongoing tensions between the public broadcaster and the media regulator over editorial standards and impartiality.