ABC removes episodes by sacked reporter Mahmood Fazal over anonymous sources concerns
Consensus Summary
The ABC removed multiple episodes by sacked reporter Mahmood Fazal in May 2026 due to concerns over anonymous interviewees, including two Four Corners episodes *Meth Highway (2024)* and *Cocaine Nation (2023)*, and a Background Briefing program. Both sources agree the removals stem from verification policy violations, with an ongoing ABC Ombudsman review into the two Four Corners episodes. Fazal, a former Mongols bikie gang member, was terminated after an investigation into his podcast appearance last year. The ABC emphasized maintaining trust through high editorial standards, while Fazal criticized the process as setting a precedent for journalism independence. The Guardian also cited allegations about an associate of Fazal playing multiple roles in stories, which the ABC did not explicitly address.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- ABC terminated Mahmood Fazal's employment in May 2026
- Two Four Corners episodes, *Meth Highway (2024)* and *Cocaine Nation (2023)*, were removed due to concerns about anonymous interviewees
- A Background Briefing episode titled *Meet the teens at the frontline of organised crime* was removed
- A short segment contributed by Fazal in the Four Corners episode *The Postcode Wars* (about a drug 'trap house') was edited out
- ABC review found verification policies for anonymous interviewees were not followed in the removed stories
- ABC Ombudsman review into *Cocaine Nation* and *Meth Highway* is still underway
- Fazal was sacked after an ABC investigation into his appearance on a podcast last year
- Jo Puccini, ABC head of investigations and current affairs, left after a 25-year career
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Fazal's employment was terminated in May after an ABC investigation into his appearance on a podcast with a former underworld figure last year, confirmed by ABC managing director Hugh Marks in May
- A Background Briefing audio program titled *Remy was 12 when she became a drug dealer* was also removed later in July
- Fazal claimed he was hired by the ABC for his access to certain sources, with that proximity later used against him
- Fazal said his reporting was heavily scrutinised during editorial standards and production meetings
- Sally Neighbour, a former Four Corners executive producer, alleged in *The Monthly* that 'an associate of Fazal played different roles in different stories, disguised behind a mask'
- Media Watch echoed the claim about Fazal's associate playing multiple roles
- Fazal said he stood by his reporting and could not answer allegations without revealing 'confidential contributors, sensitive news-gathering methods or private editorial processes'
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC article states Fazal's employment was terminated in May 2026, while the Guardian article does not specify the exact month of termination but confirms it was after the podcast investigation
- The ABC article mentions a Background Briefing episode titled *Remy was 12 when she became a drug dealer* was removed in July, but the Guardian article does not mention this specific episode
Source Articles
ABC removes more episodes by sacked reporter Mahmood Fazal
An ABC review of sacked reporter Mahmood Fazal's use of anonymous interviewees has found three more episodes of concern from Four Corners and Background Briefing.
ABC removes content from three more stories by sacked reporter Mahmood Fazal
National broadcaster says it has identified ‘three further stories of concern’ contributed by former bikie turned journalist Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The ABC has removed three more pieces of content by sacked bikie turned journalist Mahmood Fazal because of concerns over his use of anonymous interviewees. Sally Neighbour, a former Four Corners executive producer, alleged in the Monthly that “an associate o
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