Ray Martin picked to review ABC Q&A

The ABC board has selected a two-person panel, including TV reporter Ray Martin, to review the Q&A program that caused a storm of controversy.

TV journalist Ray Martin has been appointed to review the ABC's controversial Q&A program.

The review was called by the ABC board following the June 22 program involving former terror suspect Zaky Mallah, which caused a storm of controversy.

Mr Martin and former SBS managing director Shaun Brown will look at the key editorial decisions behind the program, including audience, panel and subject selection and on-air tweets.

The board said in a statement it agreed with ABC management that the decision to allow Mallah to speak live on the program was wrong.

"Given his criminal background and past public statements, the live broadcast meant that the ABC was not in a position to manage unpredictable or inappropriate actions or responses," the board said.

"There was inadequate consideration given to important issues around his presence in the studio, considering his previous actions, his desire for the media spotlight and some of his public comments."

The program's executive producer has received a formal misconduct warning.

"The issues involved with considering Mallah's appearance should have been referred up to senior management in the television division under the ABC's editorial policies," the board said.

The program is expected to enhance its security in the wake of the incident, on the advice of the Australian Federal Police.

Rather than heed calls to axe the program, the board said Q&A "should have a long future" on the ABC.

The review by Mr Martin and Mr Brown will look at 22 episodes of the program, with a report published later this year.

Mr Martin began his career as a cadet with the ABC in the 1960s and was a foreign correspondent for the national broadcaster.


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Source: AAP


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