ABC FOI 2017-030
Document 01
From: Mark Maley
Sent: Thursday, 10 August 2017 10:41 AM
To: DG-News All Staff <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>; Alan Sunderland
<xxxxxxxxxx.xxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>;
Subject: Covering the same-sex marriage debate
Hi All,
Now that the government has announced the postal plebiscite, the focus has returned well and truly
to the rights and wrongs of same sex marriage and the changing of the Marriage Act.
Please remember that approximately 40% of the population opposes the change and more
importantly that the ABC does not have a position on the issue.
It is very important that we are impartial and that all perspectives are given a fair hearing and
treated with respect by the ABC.
In this charged environment I would also urge everyone to be circumspect on social media –
advocating for one side or the other will make it more difficult for the ABC to be seen as impartial.
The more high-profile you are the more important discretion is.
Language is also important. The preferred terminology is same-sex marriage, rather than ‘marriage
equality’ or ‘gay marriage’. See the full guidance here.
Some people will inevitably be offended by arguments and statements made by both sides. That
cannot be avoided and we should not censor any debate conducted in good faith.
However, the editorial policies also state that we should not offend our audiences without editorial
justification and we should not be seen to condone or encourage prejudice and discrimination. To
the greatest extent possible we should be facilitating a vigorous but also civil debate. If you think any
content may cross the line don’t hesitate to seek advice from your manager or from me.
A reminder you can find the editorial policies here
Impartiality guidance here
And Harm and Offence guidance here
Mark Maley
E
ditorial Policy Manager, News
P
+61 2 8333 4738 E
xxxxx.xxxx@xxx.xxx.xx
F
+61 2 8333 2505
Attachment 2
Same sex marriage - language debate
Both sides of the debate on same-sex recognise that language is an important tool in framing the
debate about changes to the Marriage Act.
There are three terms commonly used in the debate: gay marriage, same-sex marriage and marriage
equality. They are sometimes used interchangeably but each has slightly different meanings and
connotations.
Marriage Equality
Proponents of change frame the debate in terms of equal rights and discrimination, hence their use
of the term “marriage
equality”.
The current ALP sponsored bill in Parliament is therefore called the
Marriage Amendment (
Marriage
Equality) Bill.
But opponents of change dispute that discrimination and equal rights are at issue, claiming “
This
appeal to equality and non-discrimination gets things the wrong way around. Justice requires us to
treat people fairly and therefore not to make arbitrary, groundless distinctions.”
1 They claim real-life
differences in gender legitimise different treatment by the law in this area and that marriage “
has an
intrinsic or natural meaning prior to anything we may invent or the state may legislate” (Australian
Catholic Bishops Conference). From their point of view, the term is loaded and tendentious.
Gay Marriage
Increasingly, proponents of change have objected to this term on several grounds.
• They prefer ‘marriage equality’ because it frames the debate in the way they believe most
supports the cause.
•
Some believe it implies that it is a different, inferior sort of marriage. Some conservatives
believe it indicates that LGBT people are claiming superior, special rights.
•
Some people, who are not heterosexual, including many lesbians, do not identify with this
term. It is sometimes used pejoratively.
However, this is the traditional term and continues to be used by both proponents and opponents of
change.
Same-sex Marriage
In recent years, same-sex marriage has been seen as the most ‘neutral’ of the three terms. It is
probably the most widely used in the media, according to Pew Research in the United States.
Recommendation
Al three terms are widely-used, and to many people thay have become almost interchangeable.
However, it is recognised that
1 file:///C:/Users/MALEYM7Z/Downloads/DMM-booklet%20web%20version.pdf
a. Use of the term ‘marriage equality’ does carry the connotation of support for change
b. The term ‘gay marriage’ while widely used and legitimate, carries within it some negative
connotations
c. Same-Sex marriage seems to be the most sensible neutral term.
We therefore recommend that it is the term you should reach for when reporting on this issue –
althought the others are acceptable if used with care and thought.
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