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Seven News breaches Code for indirectly identifying road victim

ACMA rules that close-up footage of three items following the death of a motorcyclist was enough to distress a family.

seven newsSeven News Perth has been found to have breached the Industry Code of Conduct for inadequately protecting the identity of a road accident in which a motorcyclist died, before his immediate family had been notified by authorities.

Industry watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority found in January Seven showed vision of the accident scene including close-up footage of three items – a motorcycle top box, a black backpack, and a white plastic bag which. Shown together they were distinctive to immediate family members.

The parents of the victim indicated they were greatly distressed by the manner which they learnt of their son’s death.

“This case serves as a reminder that reporting on accident victims involves inherent sensitivities and must be approached with extra care,” said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman. “Broadcasters need to be very sensitive about the identification of accident victims, directly and, in particular, indirectly.”

In a statement, Seven said, “Seven News did its best to avoid showing material that might identify the victim of this tragic accident. As ACMA has noted in its release, the items briefly visible in our report were a backpack, a plastic bag and motorcycle top box, all commonly available and with no distinguishing features. We did not name or show the victim, show the motorcycle or number plate or any other personal material.

“ACMA has taken the view that these items were sufficient to identify the victim of this accident. We accept the finding but it is necessarily a subjective assessment and on the day we formed a different view. We deeply sympathise with the family in this case and believe that we tried to report this story responsibly and sensitively.”

In response to the finding, Seven will bring ACMA’s decision to the attention of its news and current affairs staff, and include reference to the decision in its training courses.

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