Where Will We Be Without Our ABC?
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UpdateJuly 2018 Vol 26, No. 2 Thrice Yearly Newsletter Where will we be without our ABC? Ranald Macdonald ABC Friends National Media Adviser The threat to public broadcasting in this country becomes more real by the day. Those who say “she’ll be right” about the ABC’s continued existence as an independent public broadcaster have their heads truly in a world of denial. On top of the Government’s huge cuts to funding, with 1,000 less employed today than four years ago, and continual harassment and criticism, the Federal Liberal Council meeting in Sydney (June Cartoon © David Pope/Fairfax Media. Reproduced with permission. 16) has, on a 2 to 1 vote, advocated the selling of the ABC. of widespread editorial approval must be Murdoch and his loyal minions of what is from Cabinet. being presented as “news.” What a happy world it must be for commercial media rivals, with the Yet, perhaps the public might have the There is also the importance of ensuring a Government ensuring that the ABC final say with its concern about fake news, diversity of news sources available in our is less able to perform to the highest the potential loss of the range of programs (currently) robust democracy. standards - and how great the expectation the ABC is offering, and the domination of continued on page 3. ABC Friends John Clarke Hands Off the ABC: Friends’ Mayo poll 14 Calendar 2018 3 Submission to Government Liberal Party votes to sell Inquiry 9 Public trust and the ABC, a ABC 15 landmine for Turnbull 4 Opposition vows to restore You’ve got to play to the ABC funding 10 Inside Message from National base 16 President 5 ABC cuts - the gloves are off! 11 Blood in the Water 17 Update Latest Rant from the IPA 6 Parliamentary Round-up 12 Somerville 18 Super Saturday 7 Now is the time 13 State News 19 The ABC remains trusted 8 The Cutting Wedge 14 NSW Branch News 20 Update From the Editor Publication Information (and National Vice-President) Update is published three times a year by ABC Friends National Inc. GPO Box 4065 Melbourne Vic 3001 Pacific in 2014 (a Government decision) Print Post approved: PP245059/00002. Rallies in July and the Radio Australia ABC shortwave Extracts from newspapers and other This edition of Update has been brought service to Asia and the Pacific in 2017 publications appearing in Update do forward by at least a month so the (an ABC Management decision resulting not necessarily reflect the views of the from funding cuts). The government has members of ABC Friends. Friends may receive information about forthcoming rallies in capital cities in announced a review of Australia’s role Update is distributed to all members of ABC Friends as part of the membership protest at the recent cut of $83m to the in providing media services in our own fee. Update is also supplied to ABC budget in addition to the $254m part of the world, as a result of China’s journalists, politicians and libraries already lost, which translates into 1,000 greatly increased presence and activity in across Australia. jobs. Rallies will be held in Sydney on the Pacific. Even the BBC has increased Update is edited and produced in 8th July, Brisbane on 13th July and its service in the Asia/Pacific, no doubt Sydney and contributions are welcome Melbourne on 15th July, with full details to fill the vacuum created by the ABC’s from state and regional branches. Email your contribution (in Microsoft Word) to in the flyers in this Update. Members in departure. At the time of these cuts [email protected] or other states will be advised of activities in Friends reminded the government of the post to address below their state as plans are developed. value of the “soft diplomacy” which these Material may be quoted or reproduced services provided – perhaps it is not too from Update provided the source is Liberal Federal Council Votes late for the ABC to resume its previous acknowledged and reproduction is sent to the Editor at the above email or postal to sell off ABC role and service in our own region. It address. should be noted that the governments Meeting in Sydney on 16th June, 100 of all of our Pacific neighbours protested delegates at the Federal Council voted Would you like to receive strongly to the Australian government at 2 to 1 that the ABC should be sold Update newsletter the withdrawal of ABC broadcasts. electronically? (which does not make it Government policy, but is a clear sign of power of Save the planet’s trees and ABC Friends’ Government Inquiry into the conservative element within the printing and postage costs and read Competitive Neutrality Update on your tablet or computer. When party.) National Friends President, Update is published, you will receive an Margaret Reynolds has suggested that This inquiry was implemented in response email with a link to the latest issue (each concerned Friends could phone senior to Pauline Hanson’s complaints resulting newsletter is a 2-3MB PDF). Liberal senators and the more marginal from the ABC’s exposure of the internal You can try this now by going to turmoil and tension within One Nation, www.fabcnsw.org.au and clicking on of Liberal members of the House of “Newsletter”. If you prefer this delivery Representatives to remind them that and commercial media (especially that option for future Updates please contact there will be a strong reaction from voters owned by Rupert Murdoch) protesting your local state branch (see back page). should this decision become policy. that a government-funded ABC was unfair competition to their commercial Who to write… Marginal seats in each state are: WA – enterprises. NSW Friends President Ed Anyone seeking basic information about Swan, Pearce, Hasluck; SA – Hindmarsh; Davis has prepared a response on behalf writing to persons of influence might find Queensland – Capricornia, Forde, Flynn, of ABC Friends – you can read Ed’s it helpful to go to www.fabcnsw.org.au Petrie, Dickson, Dawson; NSW – Page; where there are some menu items submission in this Update. Victoria – Latrobe, Boothby, Chisolm. In under “Be Active” leading to pages of the case of Tasmania, calls should be information: Who can I write to? What Funding Cuts are Endangering can I say? made to senators Abetz, Duniam and Colbeck. The forthcoming by-elections ABC’s Traditional Role Update Editor - Mal Hewitt on 28th July (seats and candidates Two recent scares have highlighted the PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 listed in this Update) will be a further very real risk to ABC services because of [email protected] opportunity to remind sitting members lack of funds. Broadcasting the cricket Assistant Editor - Chris. Cartledge and candidates that 80% of Australians on radio has been a vital role for the ABC [email protected] value and trust the ABC. virtually since its establishment, so the Cartoonist - Phil Somerville announcement that the ABC may not Government Review of be able to afford to continue live radio Phil currently runs an online topical Broadcast Services to Asia cartoon by paid subscription called Line coverage of the cricket caused outrage in of Thought. Enquire at phil.somerville@ and the Pacific. sporting circles. Calm was restored with somervillecartoons.com the announcement that Cricket Australia ABC Friends protested strongly against HAD renewed its contract with the ABC. Layout Artist - Paul Martens the cessation of the Australia Network [email protected] ABC Television service to Asia and the The other was the resurfacing of the Page 2 rumour that Classic FM was to be closed There is no doubt that, as we approach continued from page 1. down. Accepted by classical musicians by-elections in a number of seats and a It is interesting that after 125 pages in both here and overseas as probably Federal election, the ABC and its future their IPA sponsored book Against Public the best classical music station in the will feature strongly in the campaign. You Broadcasting (just released) promoting world, as well as our showcase to the will see the involvement of ABC Friends the selling off of the ABC, the authors world through broadcasts and recordings in that campaign at an unprecedented come to their conclusion that “the single of our outstanding instrumentalists, level. If you care about the health of our largest impediment to privatising the ABC singers and ensembles, closing down democracy, you will want to join in the fight is public opinion”. to defend our publicly funded broadcaster, Classic FM would be an act of cultural Brilliant. vandalism of huge proportions. Its role free of political and commercial influence, But, what about the loss of an in enabling all Australians, wherever they not afraid to speak the truth and shine the independent and courageous may be, to appreciate and enjoy all our light into the dark places of our nation. broadcaster? One that provides musical events, festivals and performers Please consider contacting your local alternative radio and television programs member to remind them that you value an is as much a part of the cultural fabric of for all Australians, in the public interest – independent and properly funded ABC, Australia as being able to listen to a cricket not just those that make a profit. test against England on the ABC. Toby and contributing to the Friends election The decision to support selling off the Chadd, Director of Programming at Classic fighting fund (see how in this Update) ABC, sadly promoted by the Young FM, has reassured listeners that there are Mal Hewitt Liberals (not small ‘l’), is of real concern.