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Recording device found in cabin of HMAS Leeuwin in Cairns; military police investigating

The Australian Defence Force has confirmed a video recording device was found on 11 October in a cabin of HMAS Leeuwin in Cairns. Senator Jacqui Lambie told the Senate of claims that cameras were in female sailors' showers and that footage may have been uploaded online.

2 outlets · 1L · 1C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: ABC News (Australia)
Image: BBC News

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The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has confirmed that a recording device was found on 11 October in a cabin of the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Leeuwin while it was docked in Cairns, Queensland. Centre · 1The BBC describes it as a hidden video recording device. Mixed · 2Defence said the incident was referred to the Joint Military Police Unit and that it is working with civilian authorities.

Mixed · 2Independent senator Jacqui Lambie, a former veteran and defence advocate, raised the matter in the Senate on Wednesday 14 October. Lambie said a person had contacted them with allegations that concealed cameras had been found in the female sailors' shower facilities. Mixed · 2Lambie also said they were told the discovery prevented the vessel from sailing during the investigation, and relayed claims that footage from the cameras may have been uploaded online before the cameras were found. Lambie asked the Navy how many female sailors had been recorded and how much footage had been distributed. Left · 1Those claims are unverified: Defence did not respond to the ABC's questions about whether footage had been posted online.

Mixed · 2Reports differ on where the device was found. The ABC said it understood it was in a female-only cabin, while the BBC reported that Defence had not said whether it was found in a female-only space or given specific details of where it was discovered. Mixed · 2In a statement Defence said it takes the incident "extremely seriously" and does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour in any form. It said the ship remained alongside to enable the investigation and that support was being provided to crew, whose welfare is its priority. Left · 1Defence said it could not comment further while the matter is under investigation, to protect the privacy of those affected. Queensland Police and the Australian Federal Police referred the ABC's questions to Defence.

Left · 1An ex-servicewoman told the ABC that a friend aboard had been told not to speak to the media and that those involved had been "forced to remain silent". Defence has not responded to that claim in the coverage.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Breaking-news report led by the confirmed discovery and the investigation, with details from the senator's speech and an ex-servicewoman's criticism of Defence.
Emphasis
Female-only cabin, claims of silencing crew, Defence not answering whether footage was posted online.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not report that the ship was kept from sailing.
Charged language
“Even more disturbing”
For example
“The ABC understands the device was found in a female-only cabin.” — ABC News (Australia)
“"These people have been forced to remain silent about it," she said.” — ABC News (Australia)

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Leads on Defence's confirmation following the senator's allegations, and is careful to separate confirmed facts from allegations.
Emphasis
Lambie's quoted questions, the ship remaining alongside, Defence's welfare statement, and the lack of detail on location.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not include the ex-servicewoman's account or the police agencies' referral to Defence.
Charged language
“Hidden video recording device”
For example
“Australia's defence department has not said whether the device was found in a female-only space” — BBC News
“The ship remained alongside to enable the investigation and ensure immediate support was provided to members of the ship's crew.” — BBC News

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

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