Two participants report on an ABC Friends event which explored the story behind the production and presentation of the 7pm ABC News.

Phil Corser, Western group

The ABC Friends Inner Melbourne panel discussion titled “Why Trust ABC News” was well attended, attracting many ABC Friends as well as other ABC enthusiasts. The drawcards were Tamara Oudyn, the well-known TV news presenter, and Sarah Jaensch, the editor of ABC News, Victoria. Inner Melbourne member Jennifer Bowen did a fine job facilitating the discussion and managing the numerous questions from the audience. It was an initimate event—no microphones and no recording—and the two guests had no trouble engaging the audience. They explained how the day's news cycle is constructed and highlighted the checks and balances in place to ensure accurate reporting. Members of the audience asked probing questions about perceived bias, the emergence of ABC’s digital online services, and the impact of social media. It was fascinating to hear that ABC journalists are forbidden from using AI in generating reports.

Marion Crooke, Inner Melbourne group

“Why trust ABC news?” emerged as the theme for the event after discussion within the Inner Melbourne group of the key question audiences face with news providers. The guest speakers gave an illuminating account of the way in which stories are constantly revised to ensure their appeal to audiences, particularly on social media platforms. The ABC is able to track whether online audiences read a story beyond the opening sentence – and will change text and images to attract more sustained interest. Sarah Jaensch acknowledged the challenge of reporting specialist areas like arts and science as these units are not part of ABC News, while Tamara Oudyn emphasised the value of experience in determining the running order of stories in a bulletin. Both spoke of the ABC’s responsibility to cover stories across the state. ABC Friends Inner Melbourne thanks both Sarah Jaensch and Tamara Oudyn for their generosity, as well as the Collingwood Library for their assistance with the event.

L-R (Above): Tamara Oudyn (ABC 7pm News Presenter), Dr Jennifer Bowen (ABC Friends Victoria), Sarah Jaensch (ABC News Victoria Editor)