ABC refers Gina Rinehart 'satire' video to Ombudsman

Communications Minister Anika Wells has conceded the airing of a segment depicting violence against Gina Rinehart in an ABC reality show was unacceptable.

News24 reports that the segment, which was broadcast during an episode of Race Around the World, has now been referred to the Ombudsman.

“My personal view is it's unacceptable. Like any Australian, there's stuff I see on TV that I don't agree with,” Wells said on Wednesday.

“As the Minister for Communications, I respect the editorial independence of the ABC, but I understand they have now referred it to the Ombudsman.”

The ABC Ombudsman is an internal office which reports directly to the ABC board.

The broadcaster confirmed to News24 that "Audience complaints are being reviewed by the Ombudsman’s Office in accordance with the ABC’s complaints handling process".

Wells said yesterday, "I think the nuance here is that I, as the Labor Minister for Communications, respect the editorial independence of the ABC.

"They have a board, they have a chair, they a process for where these things reach public ire.

"I appreciate the fact they have now referred it to the Ombudsman for that to play out."

Kate McGuinness/A still from the clip about Gina Rinehart. Image: ABC/Instagram

ABC defends airing of violent video depicting Gina Rinehart fantasy

Mediaweek reported on Wednesday that the ABC aired a ‘satirical’ clip of mining magnate Gina Rinehart being mocked and assaulted, made by content creator Kate McGuinness.

Rinehart's company Hancock Prospecting is now demanding an apology from the broadcaster, describing the video as “nothing short of disgusting.”

In the reality show Race Around The World, which aired last Sunday, a segment aired a clip that was called “a very relaxing video”.

The four-minute clip depicts a fantasy of Rinehart being assaulted and tortured.

McGuinness says in the clip, "Because when the revolution comes will you hide under the bed or will you know exactly how to shove a stick right up Gina Rinehart’s butthole, stirring it round, mixing her guts up nice and smooth, to make one big sausage roll to make something out of nothing.”

The ABC told Mediaweek in an official statement:

"Race Around the World features films created by amateur filmmakers, whose contributions reflect their own viewpoints and creative treatments. While contributors are not ABC journalists, all content broadcast by the ABC is subject to the ABC's editorial standards, policies, and review processes.

"In this case, the film was intended to be satirical in tone and considered to be editorially justifiable within the context of the program. We recognise that audiences may respond differently to creative content and hold a range of views about how it is presented.

“One of the judges critiqued the film during their assessment, and that feedback was included in the program.”