The independent ABC Ombudsman has found the broadcaster did not breach impartiality standards during its coverage of King Charles III's coronation.
The report was conducted after a televised 45-minute panel discussion about the role of the monarchy in modern Australia, broadcast during the coverage, attracted 1,832 complaints.
The complaints related to the discussion between Q+A host Stan Grant, Australian Republican Movement chair Craig Foster, Liberal backbencher Julian Lesser and lawyer Teela Reid, while official guests of the coronation were arriving at Westminster Abbey in London.
That discussion on May 6 involved Grant discussing the history of the monarchy and his views.
The report noted that many complaints related to the ABC's "judgement for scheduling this discussion while guests were entering the Abbey, when it might have been expected that the anticipated audience wanted commentary on the proceedings rather than a broader discussion about history."
In a response to the ombudsman, ABC News said it was "distorting" to judge its eight-hour coverage of the coronation based on a 45-minute segment.
"Often in news coverage journalists are told 'now is not the time' to discuss certain issues …This line of argument is often used to shut down uncomfortable debates and to silence critical perspectives. While they may be uncomfortable, important topics and discussions are often best discussed alongside important events when the public is engaged and is open to discuss them," ABC News said.
ABC Ombudsman Fiona Cameron acknowledged the segment sought to reflect what the event meant to different cultures and found the panel's views were "robust but fair and the conversation was courteous and respectful".
"It was made clear that the discussion intended to canvas significant issues of context relevant to an Australian audience about the crowning of a new monarch," she said.
"The discussion reflected the contentious element of the role of the monarch for many Australians.
"The matters discussed, and opinions shared, were not novel and did not bring up specific accuracy concerns.
"The role of the monarchy to modern Australia and the Indigenous perspectives presented were legitimate and newsworthy topics for discussion on the rare occasion of a coronation and in the context of ABC's extensive coverage."
However, the ombudsman also noted that there were instances when the footage from London did not relate to the critical discussion during the segment in question.
She said the complaints indicated that this was "jarring and distracting for some of the audience".
Grant has subsequently stepped back from his role as Q+A host after receiving racial abuse following his appearance on the broadcast.
ABC managing director David Anderson has also announced a separate review would be conducted into ABC responses to racism affecting staff, and what the organisation can do better to support staff who encounter such abuse.
