The ABC has admitted it didn't ask the Nauru government for comment before it aired its Four Corners program about the plight of youngsters detained on the island nation, and didn't film the footage itself.  But it defended Monday night's program as excellent journalism, which shared stories that needed to be told.  The government of Nauru on Tuesday claimed the ABC did not seek comment before airing the "wild and unsubstantiated" claims by "discredited" former detention welfare services provider Save the Children.  "It was clear that these children were coached, and that the entire process of filming the refugees was stage-managed, as the program has not been to Nauru," the government said in a statement.  The government accused the ABC of biased political propaganda, saying the report was an embarrassment to journalism.  "From start to finish it was denigrating, racist, false and pure political activism," it said.  Editorial director Alan Sunderland confirmed to a Senate estimates hearing the show did not request comment from the Nauru government.  "On this particular story I don't believe we did and I believe that's because we felt the issues the story raised were particularly relevant to the Australian government, which of course we did approach" he said.  "On many occasions in the past on this issue, we have approached the Nauru government for information."  He acknowledged the statement of the Nauru government, but said he had no reason to believe there was anything inaccurate in what was aired.  Under questioning from Liberal senator Jane Hume, Mr Sunderland agreed the broadcaster received an offer from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton of a live interview but it was rejected.  Managing director Michelle Guthrie also confirmed the footage was provided to the ABC because journalists couldn't go to Nauru.  Senator Hume questioned what it would take to launch an inquiry into Monday night's program.  Mr Sunderland said he was happy to answer questions and receive a complaint if she wanted to make one.  "I saw it as an excellent piece of journalism," he said.  "We don't launch inquiries into excellent pieces of journalism."
The Nauru government has hit back at an ABC Four Corners report on the plight of refugee children, claiming they had been coached by the program.