UpdateDecember 2020 Vol 28, No. 4 Quarterly Newsletter Bravo ABC! The major prize-winner at the 2020 Walkley Awards

Mark Willacy and ABC to not only get a witness on camera, but Investigations team to obtain and broadcast what we believe is the first footage of an alleged Australian win Gold Walkley; ABC military war crime, was a massive task awarded for bushfires and – one that really underscores the ABC’s coronavirus coverage commitment to investigative journalism. ABC News, 20 November 2020 “This work built on some very brave ABC investigative journalist Mark Willacy reporting by my colleagues Dan Oakes and the ABC Investigations team worked and Sam Clark in their series “The Afghan for more than a year to get to the truth Files”. Also thanks to everyone in Four Coronacast podcast took the prize for about alleged unlawful acts by Australia’s Corners who supported this work so Radio/Audio News and Current Affairs. elite soldiers in Afghanistan. Tonight brilliantly. “I’m really proud to be part of Hosted by health expert and broadcaster the ground-breaking reporting was the ABC Investigations team started by Dr Norman Swan and ABC health and recognised with the Gold Walkley Award, Gaven Morris and led by Jo Puccini. It’s science journalist Tegan Taylor, and Australian journalism’s top honour. Willacy still a relatively new team and it’s breaking produced by Will Ockenden, Coronacast and the ABC Investigations and Four some big stories and proving it’s a real launched on 3 March and has gone on Corners teams also won the Walkley for powerhouse in quality journalism.” to address hundreds of questions from Investigative Journalism for “Killing Field”, listeners. “When we started our little which in March exposed alleged killings podcast we had no idea what we had and cover ups by Australian special forces walked into,” said Swan. “Our goal now in Afghanistan. is the same as on day one: to inform, explain and answer, and provide a sense of solidity in a time of uncertainty and huge change.” Sports reporter Russell Jackson won the award for Feature Writing (Over Cartoonist Jon Kudelka - ‘Lest we find out’ 4000 Words) for his powerful story of the racial abuse experienced by The ABC was the major prize-winner trailblazing Indigenous AFL player at this year’s Walkleys. Among its other Robert Muir, which earlier this year “This story was extremely sensitive and honours, the coverage of last summer’s also won the Grant Hattam Award for a difficult one to crack,” Willacy said. bushfires, a combined effort by journalists Excellence in Sports Journalism, voted on “We were dealing with allegations of from the News and Regional & Local by all AFL players. criminal acts in a distant land by our most teams, won the award for Coverage of continued on page 3. secretive and lethal special forces. “For us A Major News Event or Issue, and the

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 1 Update Publication Information From the Editor Update is published four times a year by ABC Friends National Inc. PO Box 3620 Manuka ACT 2603 Print Post approved: PP245059/00002. s 2020 draws to a close, we look must be told. Extracts from newspapers and other back on a year that has presented publications appearing in Update do Aenormous challenges to us, our THE EXODUS CONTINUES not necessarily reflect the views of the families, our country and the world. members of ABC Friends. In the September Update I listed some of Climate change brought catastrophic Update is distributed to all members of the highly experienced, highly valued ABC fires to Australia, USA, Europe, and Arctic ABC Friends as part of the membership staff who have been forced out as a result fee. Update is also supplied to regions, and cyclones, hurricanes and of funding cuts by the current government. journalists, politicians and libraries floods to tropical and sub-tropical regions. Murdoch writers and presenters, in their across Australia. The COVID 19 pandemic swept the world, daily diatribes against the ABC, characterise Update is edited and produced in devastating many countries. ABC staff as “inner-city, Green-voting, latte- Sydney and contributions are welcome from state and regional branches. Email Through it all we have come to depend sipping lefties.” The description doesn’t your contribution (in Microsoft Word) to more on our ABC, not only to bring us quite fit veteran ABC man Kerry Lonergan. [email protected] or news of events, but to provide essential post to address below Landline is essential viewing for many on and lifesaving information, especially when the land in rural and regional Australia, an Material may be quoted or reproduced other technologies fail. 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When should cause us to ask the question: How Update is published, you will receive an required, thank you! Yet another casualty free is the press in Australia? The Brereton email with a link to the latest issue (each resulting from the governments funding Report, just released, covers in great newsletter is a 2-3MB PDF). cuts, even though the Prime Minister detail the alleged atrocities committed by You can try this now by going to can find a spare $10m to give to Foxtel, www.abcfriends.org.au, click on our SAS forces in Afghanistan. However, allegedly to increase their coverage of ‘News’, then ‘National Newsletter’. there may never have been a Brereton women’s sport. Why not the ABC? Report but for the courageous work of Who to write… ABC journalists like Mark Willacy, Andrew President of Queensland Friends, former Anyone seeking basic information Greene, Dan Oakes, Sam Clark and ABC staffer and colleague of Kerry about writing to persons of influence ABC teams under David Anderson and Lonergan, Dr. Mark Hayes provides us with might find it helpful to go to more of the background to his dismissal in www.abcfriends.org.au, click on Jo Puccini, and their conviction that we ‘Get Involved’, then ‘Take Action’ where must learn the truth, at whatever cost. this Update you will find helpful addresses and ideas. Sadly, there have been costs to these journalists, from harassment and abuse CLASSIC CHOIR A MUST Update Editor - Mal Hewitt to death threats, raids by the AFP and I should confess that my constant PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 threats of legal action. David McBride, the companion at home and in the car is [email protected] whistleblower, still faces the threat of life in ABC Classic, perhaps not surprising for Production Manager - prison. a musician and music educator. But I Angela Williamson Similarly, the recent Four Corners program refer to the current project, Classic Choir, [email protected] on the toxic culture for women in the which has brought together (online) over 6,000 singers of all types and experience Assistant Editor - Canberra “bubble” went to air despite to learn together, under conductor Ben Dr Diana Wyndham enormous pressure from government Northey, and perform a new Christmas Cartoonist - Phil Somerville representatives who would clearly prefer Carol, composed by Yorta Yorta singer and that the truth did not come out. But Phil currently runs an online topical composer Deborah Cheetham. For more cartoon by paid subscription called Line let us consider the number of Royal details, go to abc.net.au/classic of Thought. Enquire at phil.somerville@ Commissions that have been established somervillecartoons.com over the past 30 years as a direct outcome This project is the culmination of a year in Layout Artist - Paul Martens of an investigation by the ABC. The truth which ABC Classic presenters have used [email protected]

2 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4

music in a quite miraculous way to calm, to THANK YOU TO DEPARTING soothe, to comfort and console, especially FRIENDS during periods of lockdown, and have had listeners dancing and singing in lounge Four of our State Presidents are stepping Inside rooms across the country. Musical friends down from their positions after many years from overseas are invariably impressed by of wonderful and committed service to Update ABC Classic – there is nothing quite like ABC Friends, both their state committees it anywhere else, especially in its ability to and the national committee, and we ABC the embodiment of Australia 4 engage with listeners. I have appreciated express appreciation for all that they have the periods of focus on contemporary done to maintain the fight to preserve ‘Siege mentality’ as ABC’s Four Australian composers, on women our national broadcaster, and to enable Corners bursts Canberra bubble 5 composers, on indigenous composers, it to continue to provide a service to all on music for children, and for the ability Australians. ABC Friends Welcome the of presenters to draw listeners into music Senate Inquiry into Media Our thanks to Margaret Reynolds which is new or perhaps different. If you Diversity 6 (Tasmania), Peter Monie (Victoria), Prof. are not a regular on ABC Classic, it is Ed Davis (NSW) and Ross McDowell Somerville cartoon 6 worth a try. (Qld). Margaret will continue as National Music Therapy (the use of music to heal President. ABC wins Australia’s only the sick) is now common practice in nominations at International My thanks also to the Update production hospitals for children, and is increasingly Emmy Awards 7 team: Diana Wyndham, Angela Williamson being used by therapists working with and Paul Martens. dementia patients, sometimes with Vale Susan Ryan AO 8 miraculous results. You can support this Mal Hewitt OAM National President’s work on Celebration Sing Out! by going to ABC Friends End of Year Message 9 csme.org.au/celebration Wilcox cartoon 9

Coalition staffers asked ABC boss if Four Corners episode Bravo ABC! was in the public interest 10 The major prize-winner at the 2020 Walkley Awards Letters and Tweets 11

continued from page 1. The Shunting of Kerry Lonergan 12 Managing Director David Anderson paid explanation. “But I want to particularly tribute to the finalists and winners – as well acknowledge Mark Willacy and the ABC The ABC has many Friends as to all the ABC’s journalists, content- Investigations team led by Jo Puccini, in the Highlands 13 makers and teams. “Along with the rest which we established several years ago of the ABC, I’m proud of all our journalists to do journalism with impact across all What is the IPA 14 and the work they do for all Australians,” ABC News outlets and platforms. It has Spotlight on Peter Tatham 15 he said. “The ABC has never shied away had a profound impact on reporting on the from tackling the tough and important conduct of Australian special forces serving Winning Wilcox draws on a stories, and our reporting and storytelling in Afghanistan.” year that was 16 this year has been brave, meticulous and Extracts from the ABC Media Release compelling. “Our bushfire and coronavirus A clear picture of how ABC by Sally Jackson | ABC NEWS coverage was essential, and the reporting fared in the current Federal Communications Lead of alleged atrocities in Afghanistan has Budget 16 demonstrated once again why the ABC’s A brave whistle-blower Ed’s Note: Senate to launch media commitment to public interest journalism is sparked the investigation which earned diversity inquiry after Kevin so crucial.” the Four Corners team a Gold Walkley: Rudd petition 17 Director, News Gaven Morris said the he deserves praise not persecution: as ABC’s investigative and public interest ABC investigative journalist Louise Milligan State News 18 journalism had never been stronger. “Our tweeted on 21 November: ‘The lawyer who teams are consistently bringing Australians raised the issues publicly, David McBride, NSW Branch News 27 the big stories and setting the agenda,” he still faces life imprisonment for his efforts. ABC Education and Australian said. “It’s also terrific to see our strength The Government stood by and allowed Media Literacy Alliance unite to in newer formats such as podcasting and the ABC to be raided, and its journalists combat “fake news” for Media data journalism, where audiences are threatened with jail for exposing Literacy Week 31 increasingly turning for information and some of these alleged crimes’.

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 3 “There is a ABC the strong link between healthy embodiment democracies and strong public of Australia service media” Ita Buttrose

ABC’s Sydney offices as a “calculated been approached by Four Corners for Rob Harris move” that was “clearly designed to comment about the program due to air Sydney Morning Herald intimidate”. “There is a strong link on Monday night. 23 November 2020 between healthy democracies and Ms Buttrose attacked criticism of the strong public service media, so it was ABC’s flagship program as “malicious a bleak day for democracy and media garbage” saying it had exposed corrupt freedom when the Australian Federal practices and shonky behaviour for ABC chair Ita Buttrose Police made the decision to raid the almost 60 years. defends broadcaster offices of the ABC,” Ms Buttrose said in an address recorded on November 12 “It was Four Corners’ journalists as essential to but released publicly on Monday. who uncovered police corruption in Queensland that led to the Royal democracy “I doubt though that the AFP expected Commission, the Fitzgerald inquiry, into such a strong reaction from the media illegal activities and associated police ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose has and Australians generally - who have misconduct and led to the resignation warned against growing attempts of long valued, but perhaps, taken for of premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen and the intimidation towards public broadcasters granted, a free press. The raid was then police commissioner ended up in around the world, saying countries unprecedented - both to the ABC and jail,” she said. that have popular, well-funded public to me. It was an extremely serious sector media encounter less extremism development and raised legitimate She said the broadcaster was “one of and corruption and have greater press concerns about freedom of the press the lynch pins of our democratic society. freedom. Ms Buttrose told the Ramsay and proper public scrutiny of national It is not designed to make those under Centre for Western Civilisation that security and defence matters.” scrutiny feel comfortable. It exists to national broadcasters around the provide checks and balances and hold Police have since decided to not lay world face similar lines of criticism those in power to account, and as charges against ABC journalist Dan and assaults on their existence by such it is the voice, and therefore the Oakes over stories revealing allegations commercial enterprises that claim public embodiment, of Australian democracy”. of potential war crimes by Australian broadcasting services are no longer Broadcasters in Hong Kong, Canada, special forces in Afghanistan, after necessary. Slovenia and Poland were facing similar prosecutors found it would not be attacks on their independence, she said. She challenged the government to create in the public interest. Ms Buttrose’s a media freedom act that would compel speech was recorded days after the Ms Buttrose likened the situation of the policy makers to take media freedom broadcaster was heavily criticised by the BBC, the broadcaster’s UK equivalent, to into account when drafting national government for a Four Corners episode its own funding battles with the Morrison security legislation and give the courts a on the “highly sexualised” atmosphere government, saying she would continue benchmark when they are adjudicating of the “Canberra bubble”, including to argue for an end to a freeze in annual cases that touch on press freedom. reports of the extramarital affair of one funding indexation, which has stripped Taking thinly veiled swipes at the minister, Alan Tudge. In the days before $84 million from the public broadcaster’s Morrison government, commercial media it was aired, ABC managing director budget worth just over $1 billion a year. rivals such as News Corp Australia David Anderson said he had received Rob Harris is the National Affairs Editor and the Australian Federal Police, Ms about “half a dozen” emails from staff of for The SMH and The Age, based at Buttrose described the 2019 raids on the government ministers whose offices had Parliament House in Canberra.

4 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 ‘Siege mentality’ as ABC’s Four Corners bursts Canberra bubble

dreadful situations who want to come into Murdoch media, Greens senator Amanda Meade forward publicly but are afraid.” Guardian Sarah Hanson-Young was successful in Guardian Australia Australia approached the relevant establishing the inquiry and plans to call 13 November 2020 ministers for comment. the former prime minister and Malcolm The reaction to the story by some sections Turnbull, who also signed the petition. Nine’s BC journalist Louise Milligan says chairman, Peter Costello, says the inquiry government tried to ‘emotionally of the media was to call for the ABC to be defunded. won’t tell us anything we don’t already know A manipulate and threaten’ ABC and and Nine doesn’t like being “tied down by has likened the “siege mentality” of the For ABC critic in chief Chris Kenny it was endless inquiries” or the significant costs Morrison government over allegations of evidence the ABC had “surrendered any involved. And the former treasurer could not inappropriate ministerial conduct to that pretence of objectivity, intellectual integrity, hide his disdain for the involvement of Rudd of the Catholic church when confronted honesty or high-minded journalism”. “Four and Turnbull. “If we’re called upon to give with allegations of child abuse. “It was Corners essentially allowed itself to be any evidence of course we will,” a grumpy fascinating in the lead-up to the story the vehicle for another Turnbull revenge Costello told journalists after Nine’s virtual how the forces corralled to try and shut attack on his own party,” Kenny wrote in annual general meeting. “The chances of it down,” the Four Corners reporter told the Australian. “It was tacky, transparent, anything new coming out of it I would rate colleague Annabel Crabb at the virtual and tedious. You do not have to endorse as very low. We also think the move by launch of her the behaviour of these former prime ministers to inquire into outfits book, Witness, on politicians to also hold that they think were unsympathetic to them says Thursday night. “ Credlin said it is none of our business.” as much about them as it does about the Milligan, the author On her Sky News media. The media is scrutinised every single of Cardinal: The Rise News Corp program, Peta Credlin day, there are multiple outlets who scrutinise and Fall of George labelled it an “ABC hatchet each other. I rate the probability very low.” Pell, released her supported a job” and Liberal senator Murdoch’s man in Australia, News Corp new book, about the Jim Molan insisted the failures of the criminal broad range of Australia executive chairman Michael Miller, ABC should lose its had earlier pointed out the company had justice system in funding. sexual assault trials, views....” taken part in at least nine media inquiries in the same week But it was former in a decade. “As always, we will continue as her expose of a Conservative party to constructively engage in these important culture in parliament senator Cory Bernardi conversations,” Miller said. “that can be toxic for women”… “We who had the most extreme response. The But the real vitriol for Rudd and Turnbull gave those ministers two-and-a-half former Liberal told Andrew Bolt on Sky came via Sky After Dark, courtesy of weeks’ notice of the story and … they News the program was a “disgrace” and Credlin, Tony Abbott’s former chief of staff. didn’t answer any of our questions. They there needed to be an investigation into In a 10-minute editorial, Credlin defended fired off a whole lot of off-the-record “closeted gay members of parliament”. Murdoch’s dominance of the Australian emails in which they tried to emotionally “The same cabal of people who are saying media, where its newspaper circulation manipulate and threaten us. “They went women are being targeted want to ignore occupies two-thirds of the market. Credlin over our heads. And they didn’t just go some of the closeted gay members of said News Corp supported a broad range to the executive producer of the program parliament who also have relationships of views – she had former Labor minister or the director of news. They went to the with male staffers,” Bernardi said. Stephen Conroy on her show – and Nine managing director and the board and Australia’s two biggest media companies, and the ABC were “more influential” tried to editorially interfere in the national News Corp Australia and Nine because they owned television and radio broadcaster. This is the sort of institutional Entertainment, have responded less stations. She said Rudd and Turnbull were power that you come up against when than enthusiastically to the Senate’s failed leaders who were “targeting Murdoch you try to expose this sort of behaviour. decision to hold an inquiry into media media” because they had both been And it is analogous to my book because diversity. Following the popularity of Kevin “rejected and removed” and it’s about young people who are in these Rudd’s petition for a royal commission it was “payback”.

ABC Friends National Update, July 2020, Vol 28, No 2 5 ABC Friends Welcome the Senate Inquiry into Media Diversity

on their staffing and independence. voices, which can reject both local and Margaret Reynolds Australians have witnessed challenges international political interference. ABC Friends to media freedom with police raids on We thank all those who first supported National President journalists’ homes and indeed the ABC our ABCF petition calling for the Senate itself. Government funding has been to investigate aspects of communications consistently reduced .and essential policy and congratulate Kevin Rudd on his he decision on 11 November for transmission infrastructure sold off to the strong advocacy for a Royal Commission the Senate to conduct an Inquiry private sector. Australia’s independent into media diversity. Many thousands have into Media Diversity is an important T voice in the Asia Pacific region has been now indicated their extreme dissatisfaction step forward in gathering and assessing restricted and the national broadcaster with current government communications evidence about the capacity of all consistently undermined both by policy and practice. ABC Friends look Australian Media outlets to maintain high government and media competitors forward to actively working with all standards of investigative journalism and particularly those owned by overseas Senators to guarantee that this enquiry independent commentary. interests. contributes to major reform. We greatly ABC Friends has long had deep concerns This Senate inquiry will provide the appreciate the initiative of Senator Sarah about the capacity of public broadcasting opportunity for close scrutiny of current Hanson-Young and all those supporting through ABC and SBS to maintain their communications policy and how Australia Senators who recognised the roles to report without restrictions placed can rebuild an independent range of media importance of establishing this enquiry.

Cartoonist: Phil Somerville

6 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 A scene from the series Old People’s Home for 4 Years Olds.

ABC wins Australia’s only nominations at International Emmy Awards

he ABC has scored Australia’s only nominations Award for Best Documentary or Factual Program. The for the 2020 International Emmy Awards, which unique social experiment demonstrated the physical T celebrate the world’s best screen content and and mental health benefits of bringing together the storytellers. Two ABC shows are in the running for this very young and very old at a retirement home. year’s awards, which feature 44 nominees across 11 Content, produced by Brisbane-based Ludo categories and 20 countries. Studio, which is also behind ABC Kids’ series Heart-warming ABC Factual series Old People’s Bluey, is the world’s first comedy show set entirely Home for 4 Year Olds* is a finalist for the Non-Scripted on a smartphone and tells the story of a wannabe Entertainment International Emmy, while innovative influencer and millennial whose life changes when a vertical video series Content is a contender for the car crash turns her into a global meme. Both series Short-Form Series Award. are available to watch now on ABC iview. Michael Carrington, ABC Director of Entertainment & Earlier this month, globally-lauded ABC series Specialist, said the ABC was proud to fly the flag for Hardball scored an International Emmy Kids Award Australia at this year’s awards. “These International nomination for best Kids: Live Action program. In Emmy Award nominations show that innovative and April, Bluey, Australia’s most popular children’s uplifting Australian stories resonate with audiences, television show, won the 2019 International Emmy no matter where they are,” he said. “Thank you to the Kids Award for best Kids: Preschool program. ABC teams and our production partners for bringing Nominees for this year’s International Emmy these outstanding programs to life. The ABC is proud Awards come from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, to be the home of Australian content and creativity, Brazil, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, here and around the world.” The life-changing Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, produced by Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United Endemol Shine Australia, also won gold at the 2020 Kingdom and the United States. New York Festivals TV and Film Awards for best * It was announced on 23 November that the ABC has Social Issues Documentary and the 2019 AACTA won this award.

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 7 Margaret Reynolds remembers ministers to ensure they maintained a Susan Ryan commitment to gender equality within their I first met Susan Ryan in 1978 when she various departments came to North Queensland to tell local I particularly remember the first Women’s women about her plans re women’s and a Budget Paper released at a party in Susan’s national social justice agenda. ministerial office in 1983. It was just a Many of us had been politicised by the few pages of commitments but over the 1960s Women’s Movement and the next twelve years it grew as a significant reforms of the Whitlam Government document detailing how 51% of the 1972-1975. But that period had been cut population benefitted from government short and in North Queensland we were planning. Australia’s gender budgeting was isolated and keen to learn how we could to become a major international model for contribute. Susan immediately impressed many countries in the 1990s, but sadly with as “one of us “- she was a feisty feminist a change of government we lost so many of and very good company as she outlined those reforms. While new governments can Vale new ideas for a future Labor Government. tinker with public policy programs, Susan Ryan’s key legislative reform to end gender Little did I know at that initial meeting that based discrimination has had a lasting I would be joining her as a Senator for Susan Ryan impact for Australian women. Queensland when the Hawke Government AO was elected in 1983. It was an exciting Susan was a passionate supporter of time because several women were elected public broadcasting and of the ABC, to both the House of Representatives and where she frequently featured in interviews, 10 October 1942 – Senate that year. And Susan Ryan was discussions, debates and panels, even in her later years. 27 September 2020 ready for us to start work on introducing sex discrimination and affirmative action Sadly Susan died doing what she loved .... legislation as well as a range of reforms swimming at her local Sydney beach. Her across the community and public service. lasting legacy will continue to impact on the • the first woman to hold the As both Education Minister and Minister lives of current and future generations. portfolio relating to women’s Assisting the Prime Minister on the Status Margaret Reynolds affairs, of Women Susan was in a key position to ABC Friends, National President lead the way in changing opportunities for • the first female minister from Australian women but of course it was a Ed’s Note: Also Vale Dame Margaret the Labor Party tough job as she was the only woman in Guilfoyle, a trail-blazer in Liberal politics, • key women’s rights laws that first Hawke Ministry and some of her who died on 19 November at the age of were legislated on her colleagues resented her capacity to keep 94. She was Australia’s first female cabinet watch, including the Sex the focus on women. Bob Hawke was minister when she first became the Minister Discrimination Act her staunch supporter and we women for Social Security and then the Finance established an influential Status of Women Minister in the Fraser government, the first Committee, each monitoring two male woman to hold an economic portfolio.

Friends’ 2021 Calendar

At the end of this extraordinary year, ABC Friends and their friends have shared their personal responses to Australia’s recent devastating fires, the impact of the ongoing pandemic and the inevitable changes in all our lives. These are our stories of resilience and hope for 2021. Order now for Christmas at abcfriends. myshopify.com/collections/gifts-etc

8 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 National President’s End of Year Message

s this difficult year draws to a close, early closing date of 11 December will limit it is timely to remind ourselves of the number of community submissions but A the challenges the ABC has faced there are other ways you can ensure that and how well our national broadcaster your concerns are heard by your elected has responded in such difficult times. representatives. We recall the outstanding role the ABC There are a number of issues identified by played during the summer bushfires as our the Senate that we can also use in talking, emergency broadcaster. texting and writing to our Members and Soon after there was a pandemic Senators. You can focus on any one or emergency and again the ABC was on more of these topics in communicating the job with health advice and support your concerns about the way that the ABC for children learning at home. During is being treated in Australia’s current media those periods of lockdown, the ABC climate. made considerable efforts to reach out The Media Diversity Inquiry has identified We need to debate these issues with our to Australians isolated in their homes. these priority areas for comment parliamentarians so that they understand Perhaps one of the most innovative was our concerns and need for media reform. • Public Interest Journalism Classic FM introducing an 11am dance Your opinion matters. It is so important • Media concentration time when listeners were encouraged to that you are in contact with your elected dance or move to their favourite music! • Media ownership representatives to remind them of their While we appreciate these many initiatives, • Barriers to accurate news services responsibility to defend public interest we also need to remember the negative • Global Media influences journalism and independent media. attacks on the national broadcaster • Local, regional, and rural media Thank you for your support and with ongoing funding cuts, staff losses, • Independent news services commitment during this particularly transmission, and programme limitations. challenging year. These policy restrictions are especially • Role of government My seasons greetings to you and your concerning occurring at the same time • Media and democracy as the government is redirecting public family. Governments are elected to represent broadcasting dollars to overseas and Regards, the public interest, but we need strong private media interests. We know that independent media to guarantee that Margaret there has been political pressure on the decision making is transparent. Currently Reynolds ABC from government avoiding revelation a number of Australian communications ABC Friends of information that may embarrass policies and practices undermine our National President individuals’ departments or organisations. access to reliable news. Even the Australian Federal Police and the courts have been used to undermine media freedom. However there has been a recent very positive development with the Senate initiating a Media Diversity Inquiry to review just how Australia manages media independence and public interest journalism without being manipulated by local or foreign interests. Thank you to everyone who supported the ABC Friends’ petition for a Senate investigation and thanks too to Kevin Rudd whose call for a Royal Commission put scrutiny of Australian media diversity firmly on the political agenda. ABC Friends will be submitting to this important Senate inquiry and we know many individuals and organisations will also be putting forward their views. The

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 9 Coalition staffers asked ABC boss if Four Corners episode was in the public interest

The episode was billed as an exposé featured allegations against senior Coalition Lisa Visentin inside the “Canberra bubble”, with teasers MPs. “I’m not in the habit of responding Sydney Morning Herald for the show featuring lead reporter Louise to allegations people make based on a 9 November 2020 Milligan saying the investigation “questions program that I haven’t seen and I don’t the conduct of some of the most senior even know what’s in it,” Mr Morrison said. politicians in the nation”. Executive However, he said the ABC should not limit ederal ministerial staffers contacted producer Sally Neighbour has also tweeted its focus to one side of politics and should the highest levels of the ABC to ask that the episode “investigates the ‘toxic’ act in an independent and an unbiased whether a Four Corners episode F culture for women in federal politics”. Mr way. “If they’re going to make inquiries, I about an alleged toxic culture in Coalition Anderson revealed the program would would think they’d want to do them across government offices was in the public focus on Liberal ministers, which he said the political spectrum and it’s really for the interest. ABC managing director David was due to the “bonk ban” implemented ABC under their charter to remain true to Anderson said he had received about “half by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. that,” Mr Morrison said. He added he was a dozen” emails from staff of government “It does talk broadly about a culture issue “one of the strongest supporters” of the ministers whose offices had been here in Parliament House and what might “bonk ban”, first introduced by Mr Turnbull approached by Four Corners for comment need to change for the future, but the following revelations Nationals MP Barnaby about the program due to air on Monday reason that it will focus on Liberal ministers Joyce had had an extramarital affair with night. Mr Anderson said he did not regard is with regard to that ministerial code of his media adviser Vikki Campion. Mr Joyce the emails as detailing any “direct threat”, conduct put in by the former PM.” The ban was deputy prime minister at the time and but said they raised questions about prohibited sexual relationships between resigned from the front bench shortly after whether or not the subject matter was in ministers and their staffers under the the revelations were made public. the public interest. “I haven’t had it put to ministerial code of conduct. me to drop the story entirely. What I’ve had Mr Joyce, who is fiercely opposed is questioning about whether it was in the Mr Anderson said the Four Corners team to the bonk ban, said his resignation public interest,” Mr Anderson told a Senate had contacted more than 200 people had established a precedent and the estimates committee on Monday. working inside Parliament House. government now likely faced the “dilemma of consistency”. “This thing has come and “Contact over a story pre-publishing “I’m satisfied this team has investigated bit us on the proverbial. It was inept. I never that sits outside the person of interest I this properly,” Mr Anderson said. believed my situation was unique and in think is problematic. I’m not aware of any Neighbour praised the ABC’s senior ranks fact I had very strong suspicions of others. untoward pressure on the ABC specifically for not buckling to the pressure. “The That doesn’t make it right but it does make not to publish but any contact I think political pressure applied to the ABC it a fact,” Mr Joyce said. He said he did becomes difficult.” He said he was emailed behind the scenes over this story has not want his colleagues to lose their jobs if directly by staffers, and was also copied been extreme and unrelenting. All credit to they fell foul of the bonk ban, providing the in on emails from ministerial offices, and the ABC’s leadership for withstanding it,” relationship was between consenting adults. had received phone calls from one office, Neighbour tweeted on Monday. Milligan “I definitely don’t want the same thing for but had not communicated directly with tweeted that “multiple representatives of them. But I definitely want an explanation as ministers. Mr Anderson also revealed the Commonwealth government” had to why my situation was different. Why did I he had received a phone call from ABC “repeatedly tried to go over our heads lose my job?” chair Ita Buttrose to tell him that a board to stop you from seeing [the episode]”. member had also been contacted by a Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Lisa Visentin is a federal political reporter federal staffer about the program. He said Morrison fielded questions about whether at The Sydney Morning Herald and Ms Buttrose had seen the program and his government had pressured the ABC The Age, covering education and supported the decision to publish it. not to run the program amid speculation it communications.

10 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 Letters and Tweets

SMH 30 September 2020 giants (Google and Facebook). If the Tweets in response to Peter Hartcher rightly points out the government’s legislation excludes the 19 November ADF press indispensable value in a democracy ABC and SBS, the federal barbarians conference: of freedom of speech and freedom will have inflicted another wound in George Megalogenis – Today’s of the press. Worryingly, we have the death by a thousand cuts that is press conference was painful on so seen a consistent campaign by the their sustained campaign against our many levels. But kudos to ADF for Coalition, over a number of years, independent news publishers. taking responsibility. We Australians to defund and emasculate our own Rob Phillips, North Epping have been conditioned to expect our independent ABC. We must avoid leaders to blame shift and mislead. the complete privatisation of our SMH 11 November 2020 - General Campbell did none of that. media, as has occurred in the USA; A great example for leaders in all it results in biased and commercially ‘‘Extreme and unrelenting’’ political fields. Also, I think it is fair to say the driven operators and dubious or pressure was applied to the ABC not government and AFP owe the ABC outright false content. The cost of an to air the story regarding the toxic an apology for last year’s raid. I know independent national broadcaster to a culture of Parliament House and the it won’t happen but those involved in true democracy? Priceless. sexist and hypocritical behaviour the decision to raid should reflect on Alan Marel, North Curl Curl of federal ministers Christian Porter and Alan Tudge. Congratulations for what we learned today. The ABC was standing strong. Elisabeth Goodsall, on the right side of history. SMH 2 October 2020 Wahroonga Sister Bernadette E O’Malley ABC deserves more - – Thank you for your comment. It is so important for our democracy Communications Minister Paul SMH 23 November 2020 Fletcher says he’s disappointed ABC to maintain faith in all government staff voted not to defer the 2 per cent Hounding whistleblower is now sectors and to have transparency pay rise that had previously been hypocritical - The fact that legal and a fearless media which is confirmed as part of their Enterprise action remains pending against David prepared to risk their safety & Agreement (“ABC staff vote against McBride is a further outrage, and it reputation to investigate. Bravo to our pay rise freeze”, October 1). He feels must be withdrawn immediately. Our ABC, Australia. government should hang its head in it would have been a “fine gesture David McBride – And I should not shame in regard to his treatment and of solidarity” with their colleagues in forget the journalists Daniel Oakes, that of a fellow whistleblower and of the commercial media. The Minister Chris Masters and Nick Mackenzie, the ABC. conveniently overlooks two pertinent Mark Willacy, Mark Butcher, and all Adrian Eisler, Eleebana facts. Most pay rates for equivalent their teams. I doubt the Brereton work in the commercial sector are Report would have happened higher than current ABC salaries, and, SMH 23 November 2020 without them, and it has not been the so-called “independent” media an easy road for them. spend much of their time attacking the Despite all evidence of horrendous David McBride, an Army Lawyer, is ABC and its staff. atrocities in the Afghanistan war, so being prosecuted (and faces life in David Salter, Hunters Hill far only one person is facing criminal charges. That person is David jail!) by the Morrison government for McBride, the man who risked so exposing the war crimes about same SMH 17 October 2020 much to bring those dark secrets into time as ABC broke story. Having already drastically slashed the light. Without him, the Brereton funding from the public broadcasters, inquiry would not have happened. the government now seems intent He deserves our thanks and support. on depriving them of legitimate Dropping the charges would be a start. compensation from the parasitic tech Tony Judge, Woolgoolga

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 11 The and popularity is a direct consequence of his innate feel for Landline’s point of Shunting of difference in an increasingly fragmented marketplace for regional and rural news Kerry Lonergan and information. Over a career spanning 40 years I never had the same job satisfaction nor repeat business that I enjoyed on Landline. The secret of its success was no secret at all. It came down to respect Dr Mark Hayes - both for the audience’s President, ABC Friends Queensland unrivalled understanding of the issues intelligence and the men and women who impacting on Australia’s farmers,” Minister agreed to invite Landline crews into their Littleproud said. lives and onto their properties to tell their routine national conference call Mr Lonergan’s successor as Executive stories. It’s a shame after three decades between Landline’s staff and their Producer of Landline, Peter Lewis, joined service that Kerry Lonergan wasn’t AMasters in Sydney on Monday, 9 many in his praise of his former boss, afforded even the slightest bit of respect November 2020, to nail down the details colleague, and friend, and disgust at and regard by Sydney management,” Mr of the last show for 2020, and kick around his axing by the ABC. “Like so many of Lewis said. ideas for the show’s 30th anniversary. those who have been involved in it over Industry commentators, like John Sources vary, and Mr Lonergan declined the years and those who are still involved Condon on Sheep Central and Beef to be interviewed for this story, but in the program, I owe an enormous Central, repeated the fulsome praise and he received a call from senior ABC debt of gratitude to Kerry Lonergan for recognition for Mr Lonergan’s long and Management, probably the next morning, the opportunity to work on Landline,” outstanding career, including his induction brusquely telling him his services would Mr Lewis said. “He had a clear vision into the Rural Journalism Hall of Fame in no longer be required in 2021. His long of what Landline viewers deserved and 2015. Mr Lonergan also was awarded an running, highly informed and informative an unshakeable faith in the people he OAM in 2013 for services to broadcasting and popular Landline Commodities hired to deliver those kind of stories.” and the community. Ticky Fullerton, Sky segment was being ‘taken in a different “The programme’s enduring relevance News Business Editor and co-anchor of direction’. No ‘heads up’, no warning, Business Weekend, joined Landline in and definitely no respect. A Management 1995 as a reporter and then presenter, Prerogative Ambush. before moving to 4 Corners. She sent Soon after, social media erupted as Peter Lewis a most generous and fulsome friends, former colleagues, including me, message of support for Kerry Lonergan: and Landline watchers, reacted with “Kerry, you’re a living legend. The ABC’s disbelief, sadness, support for him, and decision reflects appallingly on those who fury at the ABC for terminating an over 45- made it - but then to this day Sydney has year distinguished, and awarded, career in never understood the DNA of Landline and journalism, 34 years with the Corporation, the fellow behind it,” Ms Fullerton said. by unceremoniously showing him the door. “From nothing, and on the smell of an oily rag for over thirty years, you’ve delivered I was told me that when Agriculture a vital service for Australians; a top draw, Minister David Littleproud heard the news, informative, and positive agri show, he rang ABC MD, David Anderson and positivity being as rare as hen’s teeth these discovered that Anderson hadn’t heard days. Content was king. You brought the of this shunting. “Kerry Lonergan and his bush to the city, commissioning story weekly commodity markets report are after story of life on the land. You got a an institution for the many thousands of gong for it, and rightly so. You’ve had rural and remote Australians that watch Aunty must surely be many hay days at Landline, but for me Landline every Sunday,” Mr Littleproud it was when I was there with you and said in a statement issued on Wednesday, sucking their teeth about your exit – four months Pete [Lewis] was on the road bringing in 11 November. “Kerry is the father of this great yarns with [Landline’s crews]. In two iconic Australian program, having started shy of Landline’s 30th years in Brisvegas I learned more about Landline back in 1991 and remaining anniversary - and they journalism and Australia than at any time in loyally with the program ever since,” he should be. my career. You’re a tough critic, for which said. “Kerry brought a keen intellect, I’ll forever be grateful, you’ve an editor’s passion, experience, integrity and an eye that can make a silk purse out of a

12 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 sow’s ear on any story, you had vision that mates of anyone I’ve ever met and your television journalism in 1979, Mr kept Landline current for over 30 years – hair colour will remain one of the great Lonergan being hired by TT EP, Des extraordinary; your take on commodities mysteries of television. Reading so many Power, from a Brisbane commercial radio is must watch for the core viewers and posts, someone high up at Aunty must station. They again worked together on your network across the sector from grass surely be sucking their teeth about your ABC TV’s The 7.30 Report, Queensland roots to the ivory tower is unmatched. exit – four months shy of Landline’s 30th Edition, between mid-1987 to the end The calls you’ve had from shocked anniversary - and they should be. The ABC of 1990, during Expo 88, the Fitzgerald ministers and top 100 CEOs should tell is better than that. And you are True Blue Inquiry, and the 1989 Queensland you that. Naturally Sydney had issues Kerry Lonergan and will be missed. Thank election campaign. As a researcher, Mark with a successful Queensland satellite run you from me and from all the Landline Hayes assisted Kerry Lonergan with pretty autonomously. That’s how things supporters,” Ms Fullerton concluded. many, many stories he reported on these get done on the few shekels thrown shows. They have kept in touch ever Landline’s way. As for your occasional Dr Mark Hayes, the President of ABC since, and Dr Hayes remains unstinting in recalcitrance – efforts like the Gympie Friends Queensland, worked with Kerry his praise, respect, and enormous Muster fund-raiser for example - I’m sure Lonergan at QTQ Channel 9’s original regard for his former colleague. you’d do it again. You have the most loyal Today Tonight when both started in

The ABC has many Friends in the Highlands

ABC Friends NSW & ACT Secretary Angela Williamson recently had her Letter to the Editor published in the ABC Friends Belinda Wright, Mal Hewitt, OAM, Angela Williamson, Southern Highland News. Trevor Wright and Gill Graham.

Here is her letter. These cuts to the ABC come at a time COVID plans are afoot for further events RE: The formation of a new ABC when we all rely on the ABC’s vital and activities to raise the community’s Friends group and its first meeting in Emergency Broadcasting e.g. for last awareness of the threats to Our ABC. Bowral. Spokesperson for the brand- summer’s worst-on-record bush fires! Several concerned Highlands residents new branch of ABC Friends in the This at a time when the proliferation of joined ABC Friends at the meeting. Southern Highlands, Gill Graham, called ‘fake news’ via social media needs to Branch organisers, Gill Graham and for a reversal of the recent Federal be countered by the ruthless research of Belinda Wright, felt that the Southern budget cuts of $84m. The ABC has laid the ABC’s quality journalists. The ABC’s Highlands Friends needed to be active off 86 ‘household names’ journalists Charter requires it to provide a huge now. Contact ABC Friends Southern and 150 research, production and range of services which the budget cuts Highlands Branch via nsw@abcfriends. technical staff around the country. are now making impossible to meet. org.au or 0407 509 985. The ABC is being emasculated, Ms The new Southern Highlands Branch Angela Williamson – ABC Friends Graham said. While the first cuts to the launched on Wednesday to a COVID- NSW & ACT Secretary taxpayer funded broadcaster occurred 19-limited crowd of around 30 in under Labor in the late 1980s, it has Bowral. Vice-President of NSW & Belinda Wright – Southern Highlands been conservative coalitions in recent ACT Friends, Mal Hewitt, OAM, came Branch Secretary times which have cruelled the ABC’s especially from the Blue Mountains for Gill Graham – Southern Highlands capacities to operate its Charter. the soft launch of the branch. Post- Branch Convenor

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 13 What is the IPA and what is its influence on Conservative Government?

he Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), founded in T 1943, describes itself • It is a small (less than 4,000 as “an independent, non- members) but very well- profit public policy think tank, funded ($2-4 million p.a.) dedicated to preserving think-tank and fundraiser for and strengthening the the Liberal Party. foundations of economic and political freedom.” Two • It champions free market of their statements - ‘small as possible Above: IPA’s book capitalism, small government government’ and ‘free market, no of anti-ABC bile. and the elimination of regulation business’ – indicates what Friends confirms) and that the ABC is far regulation and supervision the IPA stands for and how it wants to more trusted than any other media source of commercial life; e.g. no influence government policy. In its 2012 (Reuters research 2020, Roy Morgan Media restraints on mining and no publication ‘Be Like Gough’ the IPA listed Trust Report 2020) or organisation (Essential minimum wage. its objectives of ’Break up the ABC Report research in 2015, 2018). • Big supporters include and put out to tender each individual the mining and tobacco function’ and ‘Privatise SBS’. More None of this stops the IPA making its industries, and individuals recently in its 2019 publication ‘20 Policies deeply flawed assertions. On 27 February such as Gina Rinehart, Rupert to Fix Australia’, gives its objective 8 as: 2020 the IPA released its ‘poll’, claiming that ‘Only 32% of Australians believe the Murdoch, Tony Abbott and “Privatise the ABC George Pell. ABC represents the views of ordinary In a free society the government should Australians’. This one-question, skewed • IPA members Chris Berg and not own and operate its own media ‘poll’ was publicly torn apart on Media Sinclair Davidson advocated company. The media market in Australia Watch and totally exposed by the ABC selling the ABC in their is highly competitive. Online platforms Friends commissioned Morgan research 2018 book ‘Against Public have transformed and disrupted traditional papers showing enormous support for the Broadcasting: Why and how approaches to media. Consumers have public broadcaster across the country, and we should privatise the ABC’. never had more choice about where to positioning the ABC as the No. 1 media • Current senior Liberal Party source their news and opinions on current channel most accessed by Australians on parliamentarians who are affairs. Moreover, the ABC is unremittingly TV, radio and on the web. members of the IPA or its biased. Its staff are five times more likely The IPA has refused to reveal who’s funding affiliates include: Prime to vote for the Greens compared to the its activities (including climate change Minister Scott Morrison; general population. The ABC is beyond denial), citing concerns over the privacy of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg; reform. New leaders will not fix the its donors. The refusal follows revelations Minister for Communications problem, regardless of their experience or mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Paul Fletcher; another eight intention. The ABC must be privatised.” Prospecting donated $4.5 million to the Ministers, Speaker of the Of course, the ABC is a priority. The ABC organisation over a two-year period. IPA House Tony Smith, and is ‘beyond reform’ and no future leader researchers and associates have a high several backbenchers can ‘fix the problem’. The lack of logic in media presence and appear daily as guests • It is enmeshed in a global the IPA’s rhetoric doesn’t seem to bother on both public and commercial radio and web of libertarian right-wing it. That no organisational bias has ever television, including the ABC, in Australia. networks, mainly centred in been proved (as over 200 Australian IPA staff also write regular columns for the USA and Europe, funded Communications and Media Authority Australian newspapers and online media. by wealthy businesses and investigations 2014-2019 show), that The current chair of the IPA is Janet businessmen like the Koch the Australian public relies on the ABC Albrechtsen, a News Corp columnist and brothers for accuracy and reliability of information relentless critic of the ABC, appointed to the in times of trouble (as the Roy Morgan ABC Board by John Howard 2005-2010. 2020 research commissioned by ABC

14 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 Albrechtsen recently wrote an article for Spotlight on The Australian in July this year, “What the Minister should have said to ABC bleaters”, a piece that was highly critical of the ABC and full of emotive language. Her by-line on the article did not mention that she is the chair of the IPA board, which one might have thought was very relevant. Peter Tatham The IPA has strong links with the Liberal ABC Friends Party and currently has nearly a dozen Tasmania President of its members imbedded as ministers in the Morrison government, as well as Morrison himself. When Tony Abbott was elected Prime Minister, he implemented a significant number of the 75 objectives in the 2012 IPA wish list ‘Be Like Gough’ in his first year. This level of influence over the Liberal Party, and indeed on all conservative governments over the past thirty years or more, should be seen as significant and provide the background about how we view the current government’s attitude towards the ABC and its future. The IPA is Angela Williamson headed. The ABC is a seeker and also an associate organisation of libertarian Update Production Manager broadcaster of sound science-based think-tank style networks across the UK knowledge as well as a rich provider and USA. Peter grew up in Wollongong, NSW, of Australian stories. Marcus May but found Tasmania in early adulthood, Peter and Sheryl could retire one day Secretary, ABC Friends, Victoria and loved it. His work, helping with a and enjoy their steeply sloping mini- youth employment program took him acreage watching the yachts sail the to Fiji during Rabuka’s leadership for a mouth of the Derwent, but the ABC’s few years, till Tasmania’s quality of life dire plight keeps him committed to beckoned again. On his return Peter the task of trying to get the message managed the University of Tasmania through to the Federal MPs that it Careers and Employment Service isn’t about them; it’s about Australia’s and for the past decade or so he has democracy being diminished with worked as a consultant career coach. every dollar that the Government Via a Q&A video link on 23 April Most of his career has revolved around takes from the ABC’s budget. 2018, Marcus May (left) put these helping people slot into the right niche in Peter’s goals for ABC Friends two questions to John Roskam, their employment, or, as is much more Tasmania are: Executive Director of the IPA common these days, to change career • to address two main questions - (right), who confirmed the first direction. He’s currently assisting PhD how we provide feedback to the and laughingly dismissed the students at the University of Tasmania ABC in Tasmania, and how we second: to develop their career opportunities, facilitating transition from one stage in a promote the messages of what 1. Could you publicly confirm, working life to the next. independent media is right now on the ABC, that your • promote the concept that the ABC policy is to get rid of the ABC and Peter loves what he does: listening is vital infrastructure, an essential sell it off? and to clients, discussing various options, assisting them to see different service 2. Given you’re appearing on pathways. He has also worked for the To that end he sees the ABC Friends’ the ABC, how do you think your Tasmanian Government for a period role as advocating for the ABC to be credibility stands right now? helping to select people with particular part of Australia’s infrastructure, and skills from overseas. for a less-Sydney-centric view from Ed’s comment: See also Mark Buckley’s Peter sees a challenging next decade the ABC which Peter thinks is a direct article on the IPA and the Politics Q & A in for Australia and believes that our ABC correlation to its even more restricted Update, June 2020, pp, 8-9. is an important tool for all because it budget. is able to inform our understanding of IPA affiliates include: The Institute for Should keep him and the Tasmanian where we are now and where we are Progress, Australian Taxation Alliance and Friends team well occupied. the global group, Atlas Network.

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 15 Winning Wilcox draws on a year that was

Rachel Clun, SMH, 20 November 2020 In a year where horrible news has been replaced by more horrible news, the job of a political cartoonist is more important than ever. That’s according to the Museum of Australian Democracy, which has named the Herald’s Cathy Wilcox the political cartoonist of the year. For Wilcox, this year has required a balance between poking fun at the absurd and putting a spotlight on the ugly. ‘‘We’re often here to make light or point out some best to tell the truth’’. ‘‘I’ve always had the Behind the Lines exhibition of political sort of folly but there are always serious sense that part of the job of the cartoonist cartoons from the year also begins today, things going on that shouldn’t be allowed in an open democracy is to provoke us, and two of Wilcox’s cartoons have been to just get away with being seen as and maybe to make us a bit angry, so selected in the curator’s top 10. ridiculous,’’ she said. we suddenly have doubts about some This is the third win for the Herald Nobel Prize-winning immunologist entrenched position, some dogmatic idea cartoonist Cathy Wilcox and this is one of Professor Peter Doherty, one of the of how things are, or should be,’’ he said. her brilliant cartoons. external judges for this year’s award, said Wilcox’s award will be announced on 20 there were parallels between his work and November at the Museum of Australian BRAVO! To Cathy, a great Friend that of cartoonists, in that they ‘‘do their Democracy in Old Parliament House. The of the ABC

the Government publicly as they hope A clear picture of how ABC fared for more special funding (such as the enhanced news funding program) and - at in the current Federal Budget worst - hope that the Government actually delivers on its projected ‘estimates’. These are the yearly amounts the ABC has So - it is up to ABC Friends and the Ranald McDonald AO to spend on programs, general costs and ABC Alumni Association to make a Journalist and newspaper staff as set down in the just-released 2020 noise. And, for the recalcitrant Ita Buttrose executive; broadcaster Federal Budget: and her board to actually live up to their and educator (2019/20 - actual $879 million.) statutory responsibilities in fulfilling the ABC’s Charter by, as is required of them: 2020/21 - budget $879 million. (a) ensuring that the functions of the o show what the future holds for the 2021/22 - forward estimate $881 million Corporation are performed efficiently ABC, I have rounded the funding and (my bold) Tcommitments and ‘estimates’ to 2022/23 - forward estimate $867 million. with the maximum benefit to the people of Australia, 2023/24 so it is absolutely clear what the 2023/24 - forward estimate $873 million and Government is doing. Otherwise we get Costs of course go up each year, and (b) to maintain the independence and involved in the minutiae of the odd dollars in the area of production recently some integrity of the organisation. and cents. 4% p.a. - the wage increase negotiated It is (as I wrote some years ago1 ) a was 2%. Even if you accept as a done It is clearly stated that the Chair and continuing and very clinical and deliberate deal the freeze which has cost up to 250 Directors only need (being statutorily ‘Death by a Thousand Cuts’. jobs and then allow 2 1/2% a year for independent under the 1983 ABC We have already seen the appalling 22/23 and 23/24 over the $881 million Act) to “give consideration to”, i.e. impact of the Abbott cuts and DFAT 21/22 figure as a minimum for overall cost not slavishly accepting Minister’s taking its funding away from the Australia increases (and to claw back just a little on statements of policy. Network - and thus the loss of so many emergency service expenses) - then the I think it has reached the stage of us all talented and experienced staff members. further two year freeze (or cut!) imposed saying to Buttrose and Board that they all The three year ‘freeze’ imposed by the in the latest Coalition Budget will cost $67 need to put up or get out after this further current Government was from 2019/20 million on top of the $87 lost funding over cut in funding! the earlier freeze. Of course, those inside through to 2021/22. 1. ‘Where will we be without our ABC?’ the ABC are very coy about criticising Update, July 2018, pages 1 and 3.

16 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 Senate to launch media diversity inquiry after Kevin Rudd petition

an opportunity for a proper consideration Corp’s coverage of the national bushfire Zoe Samios of how that is impacting media diversity.” crisis and climate change. News Corp has Sydney Morning Herald The Senate inquiry will not carry the same since described Mr Turnbull’s comments 11 November 2020 weight as the royal commission requested as “blatantly untrue”. by Mr Rudd but will give senators the Mr Rudd’s petition was tabled in chance to investigate some of his claims. parliament on Monday by Labor he Senate will examine local An inquiry can order witnesses to attend media ownership and its impact frontbencher Andrew Leigh although his and require the production of documents, party has refused to take a position on T on democracy after more than but the final report is not necessarily 500,000 people signed a petition by Mr Rudd’s request. The senate inquiry will independent and can be influenced by the follow a difficult year for a media industry former prime minister Kevin Rudd that political make up of the committee. Royal raised concerns about the influence of put under immense financial pressure due commissions involve the appointment of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation. to a sharp advertising downturn caused by independent commissioners and lawyers Senator Sarah Hanson-Young moved the coronavirus pandemic. Several media to test the evidence and witnesses, on Wednesday to establish an inquiry companies such as News Corp Australia, before making recommendations to into media diversity, an investigation Seven West Media and Nine were governments. that is expected to scrutinise local forced to slash costs to adjust to weak media companies and how Google and Mr Rudd launched his petition on 10 market conditions. News Corp decided Facebook have changed the way people October and asked for a royal commission to permanently shut the print editions access news. It will also examine how largely because of his concerns about of hundreds of regional newspapers newswire services such as the loss- the influence newspapers such as News earlier this year, while regional newspaper making Australian Associated Press Corp’s The Australian, The Herald Sun company Australian Community Media support local journalism as well as the and The Daily Telegraph on democracy. temporarily suspended some titles and challenges that small community and Mr Rudd was also concerned about job shut its printing centres. AAP, a newswire regional news outlets face. The motion, losses in journalism caused by major cuts service previously owned by Nine and instigated because of the number of in regional and metropolitan newsrooms, News Corp, was on the verge of closure people who signed Mr Rudd’s petition, the impact of digital platforms such as before it was saved by a group of was not opposed and passed without a Google and Facebook on media diversity, philanthropists and investors. vote. and Nine Entertainment Co’s takeover of The Environment and Communications The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Ms Hanson-Young said it was essential References Committee will report on Nine’s takeover took place after media to look at the state of media diversity in its findings by 31 March 2021. The laws were relaxed in 2017. The Herald and Australia before another federal election. government has requested a number Age are governed by a charter of editorial “It’s clear from the half a million signatures inquiries on the local media industry and independence that has been in place for on the record-breaking petition for a the impact of large tech giants in recent more than 30 years. It was endorsed by Royal Commission into media diversity years. A committee on the future of public the board of Nine after the 2018 merger that Australians are very concerned about interest journalism was established in with Fairfax Media. the concentration of media ownership 2017 and the Australian Competition and the power and political influence of Mr Rudd courted News Corp editors when and Consumer Commission launched its Murdoch,” Ms Hanson-Young said. “As a he was in politics but has recently become digital platforms inquiry in 2018, a report Parliament it was right that we acted on one of the company’s fiercest critics that provided a detailed assessment of those concerns. The loss of media outlets in recent years. Former prime minister the market power of tech giants Google and the increasing pressure faced by Malcolm Turnbull, who was among the and Facebook and its impact on the local small and independent publishers is bad 501,876 signatures, is also a major critic media industry. for our democracy and should be given of the organisation that he blames for the attention it deserves. The dominance his downfall. Mr Turnbull attacked The Zoe Samios is a media and of Facebook and Google has been ever Australian’s editor-at-large Paul Kelly on telecommunications reporter at The increasing and this inquiry will also provide ABC’s Q&A on Monday night over News Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 17 State News

TV productions they may enjoy. Please members during 2019-20. Thanks go South Australia / feel free to give us feedback about it. to Sandra Coopman (Secretary), Mihir November will be our last edition this year Makwana (Treasurer), Rosemary Abbott Northern Territory and we will resume in February 2021. (Membership Officer) and Committee On 16 November, as I write this, 17 new Members: Wendy Parsons, Andrew COVID-19 cases have just been reported Quentin Dempster and Rick Johnston, Roselie Copley and Tina Phillips. in South Australia and, during the day, Sarre online Conversation Our AGM was held by Zoom on Sunday ABC Adelaide radio has been keeping us Late last year, a sub-committee chaired 18 October. There is some thinking that informed and up-to-date about testing, by Wendy Parsons planned a public Zoom is a good mode for our AGM as contact tracing, restrictions and border event for 5 May, in partnership with The members who cannot get to Adelaide can closures. Your ABC continues to prove Hawke Centre, take part. One member from Alice Springs itself as a remarkable and essential with Quentin took the opportunity to attend. Members service. Long may it be ever present! Dempster and living at distance from Adelaide will be The ABC’s Gardeners’ Market did not Emeritus Professor made more aware and encouraged to take run in October and our stall activity has Rick Sarre in up this opportunity in 2021. At the AGM continued to be impacted which has conversation the new committee was endorsed: Sue affected merchandise sales. Fortunately, on the topic Pinnock (President), Sandra Coopman the ABC F National website has its “Criminalising (Secretary), Mihir Makwana (Treasurer) Friends’ Shop where merchandise can Journalism, and Committee members: Andrew be purchased for gifts leading up to Silencing Whistle- Johnston, Roselie Copley and Tina Phillips. Christmas, including our wonderful 2021 Blowers - Your Rosemary Abbott and Wendy Parsons Quentin Dempster ABC F National Calendar: “Reflections: Right to Know”. retired from the committee and were Resilience and Renewal”. The event was appropriately thanked for their contribution. Roselie Copley, Wendy Parsons and Sue Pinnock and Sandra Coopman will be Andrew Johnston have continued to postponed event sharing the Membership Officer role until work on our subcommittee, “Alternative and held on-line another person can take up this role. Engagement Strategies” to devise different via YouTube on During 2021, in the lead up to the Federal ways to engage with our membership Thursday 19 election, we will be implementing different and attract new members, including the November. It was strategies to inform our members about younger demographic. A lot of interesting interesting to action they can take in support of the ABC ideas are being developed and we are see how it was and we will continue to inform the public looking forward to putting some of these in produced. The about the difficulties the ABC is under. We place early in 2021. actual recording Emeritus Professor will work in conjunction with ABC Friends of the event took While the Federal Government’s budget Rick Sarre National to make use of our resources place by Zoom on on the 6 October did not directly cut the efficiently and to dovetail with campaigns 28 October with ABC’s funding, forward estimates indicate the National Committee initiates. As a Rick Sarre and Sue Pinnock operating that the freeze in indexation will continue committee, we are stretched to do this so from the Green Room at the University of for another two years, to the end of 2024. we are keen to get more support from our SA and Quentin Dempster from Sydney. The freeze in indexation in the current membership. If you think you would like to The around 1.5 hour recording was triennium, 2019 to the end of 2022, has help us on committee, please contact me edited and set up on YouTube for the already meant a funding cut of $84 million. on 0407 035 701. We are a good team, 19 November event - https://youtu.be/ $67 million is the estimate until the end just need more of us! yU9sTee-L44 of 2024. The threat of privatisation does On behalf of the committee, I wish you not go away nor do threats to the ABC’s Rick Sarre was masterful in his asking of all the best for a Merry Christmas and a independence and funding. For us, these questions and of course Quentin is so Happy New Year. Stay safe and let’s hope issues will continue to be the drivers knowledgeable that he was able to provide SA moves quickly to once again suppress/ leading up to the next Federal election. context and great insights about the eliminate COVID-19 so that, over the current state of media freedom and what We hope you are finding useful and Christmas/New Year period, we can cross must be done to protect journalists and informative our monthly short email our borders without quarantining and whistle blowers going forward. Quentin Checking the Pulse. Its purpose is to catch up with family and friends who are magnificently underlined the importance reach out and stay in touch with our interstate. Fingers crossed! of the ABC to our democracy and why it Members and Supporters more regularly, Sue Pinnock must be protected. to let them know about: interesting President ABC Friends SA/NT and reads to keep them informed about the I would like to thank our Committee for National Committee Member ABC, online events coming up and ABC the work they have done on behalf of our

18 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 President, Margaret Reynolds, spoke of ideas in public debate in Australia Friends Tasmania Anne’s many years of service to establish and supporters then continued discussions a presence for Friends in Tasmania. In over a yummy lunch. Greg Barns Addresses unanimously agreeing on the award, Kate Durkin Tasmania’s AGM Committee members noted that Anne has Secretary, ABC Friends Tas been the life-blood of the Northern group Some 60 Friends and supporters gathered since getting it off the ground and has Greg Barns, ‘Critical Thought in in Launceston on Sunday 18 October for been vital to the State body throughout. In Australia – RIP’ a socially-distanced AGM, lunch and an working with her over the years, all have inspiring address by our guest speaker, found her endlessly supportive, a driving A journalist I know and respect once Greg Barns. force, inspiring others with her enthusiasm told me, when we were lamenting one - throughout, a solid rock of consistency in of the federal government’s illiberal her passion for the ABC. initiatives, that it is not written in stone anywhere that Australia is a democracy. We then heard from our guest speaker, Australia could well slide into becoming Greg Barns SC, a barrister, writer and an ersatz democracy. That is, the obvious academic. His topic ‘Critical Thought in institutional features of democratic life Australia – RIP’ is printed below and it is exist such as elections, partial freedom also available on the Tasmanian page of of speech, legislatures and independent ABC Friends National website - https:// courts, could still exist while at the same www.abcfriends.org.au/abc_friends_ time the nation’s soul and its collective tasmania_agm_2020]. After his address, mind became captured by conformist Greg fielded questions in a lively Q & A culture. He was right then and he is right session. Wide-ranging topics included today. The abject failure of the body politic the role of the ABC Board, generational and much of the media in this nation to differences in how we view the ABC, the ensure that intelligent, evidence-based and prevalence of propaganda and puerile nuanced policy discussions are thriving debate around the role of the ABC, the in the community is not accidental. There importance of work in marginal seats and is a deliberate attempt by the reactionary the need to get back to a true contest of conservatives in Australia to impose what has been termed, in the US context, a cultural democracy. Margaret presents Anne with her gift Writing on the public affairs website Salon. com David Masciotra (1) earlier this year There is one significant change in the described what has been happening in the make-up of the newly-elected Committee United States for a number of years, via the for the coming year. Margaret Reynolds medium of the Republican Party, Donald has decided to stand down as President Trump and news outlets like Fox News: and the baton has been handed to “To compensate for its failure to create a Peter Tatham. Peter has been part of genuine political democracy, America has the Committee for the past five years marched drunkenly into the gutter of what and is a major contributor in developing could be termed cultural democracy — a its strategic approach to the challenges pathological condition in which all opinions ahead. We have also found it hard to fill are equal, and to argue otherwise invites Anne O’Byrne’s shoes as the Northern accusations of snobbery, pretentiousness Convenor and that position will remain and down-the-nose contempt for the vacant in the short term. The final item “forgotten man.” In cultural democracy, for the meeting itself was the awarding the enemy of freedom is not the Wall Greg Barns delivers his address of our very first Life Membership to Anne Street executive hiding his wealth in an O’Byrne. In presenting the award, outgoing offshore tax haven and corrupting the political process through the deployment of large donations and lobbying firms. It is not the SWAT team conducting “no knock” raids that result in the deaths of innocent people. It’s not the real estate tycoon turned television star who rides his golden escalator — and relentless racist rhetoric — to political power. The true villain in a cultural democracy is the intellectual. The intellectual insists on standards of evidence, reason and logic when Greg Barns engages his socially-distanced audience attempting to reach a conclusion regarding

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 19 These are not new themes. They the finest minds in talking about music. State News were peddled by the man who started But what is it now? It’s just another cost Australia’s slide into authoritarianism centre which peddles demeaning products – John Howard, Prime Minister from such as the ‘Classic 100’ and which plays 1996-2007. Mr Howard used the language a movement here and there of lengthy a matter of social import. She undermines of anti-intellectualism, dividing Australia works rather than the whole piece. Jazz the dogma that all nonsense is created into ‘elites’ and ‘mainstream Australians.’ has been relegated to a digital station. The equal, which renders her (or indeed him) His toxic legacy lives on today in the ABC is flawed and has given up the ghost unfit for participation in the increasingly Liberal Party in the form of the current too often to crass commercialism and the masochistic rituals of liberty.” Prime Minister, Scott Morrison. The right’s bleating of the right, but it is still one of the Substitute Australia for America and you consistent and constant attacks on the most important vehicles and repositories have a picture of what has been, and is, ABC manifest themselves not just in of critical thought in Australia. In particular happening in Australia. A similar point was routine swingeing budget cuts but in a Radio National. Programs such as made by Ken Hayne (2), former Banking frustration that the national broadcaster Background Briefing, Between the Lines Royal Commissioner and High Court judge is not what every authoritarian politician and Big Ideas are fora where ideas and who observed in a speech earlier this year: wishes for – a tame national propagandist arguments can be had and important and “Nativist populism founded in slogans and broadcaster. Remember that other former contentious issues aired reasonably and in denial has succeeded elsewhere, why Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott an atmosphere of knowledge building. It would it not succeed here? Those who once lamenting he wished the ABC could is critical that the relentless attack on the will not now grapple with the truth will be on the side of Australia! In my book ABC by the right be halted. What would not do that until they feel compelled to Rise of the Right: The War on Australia’s replace those programs I have mentioned do so by those upon whom they depend Liberal Values (3) I observed that what the if the ABC were so gutted it simply for success. Those who now resort to right really wants is an ABC which toes became a money spinner for government slogans and untruths will continue to rely their line. They want nothing less than a returning a dividend each year? But upon those tactics until they feel that those Fox News or a Sky News after 6pm or an enough of the ABC because as Friends upon whom they depend for success audio and visual version of The Australian you know the depressing landscape better require them to abandon those tactics and newspaper. That is, a broadcaster than I do. engage with issues through reasoned and which praises the Coalition and that only What of the universities? The Morrison respectful debate. But how can we begin supports opposition parties if they adopt government’s contempt for universities to do that in the age of social media and a conservative policy positions. is manifest in its regressive and nasty perpetual news cycle?” Recently Allan Patience put it better than package of funding which seeks to It is of course in the interests of the anyone else when he observed: “The turn universities into tech colleges. The authoritarian right to “dumb down” a Morrison government’s persistent dumbing homes of critical thinking such as Arts, culture. Attacks on institutions such as down of the public broadcaster is evidence Humanities, Law and Social Inquiry have the ABC and universities is part of the of the deep-seated anti-intellectualism been relegated because that is where this armoury of those who spew out their and cultural philistinism at its walnut-like populist anti-intellectual government wants nasty bile on Sky News after 6pm, or in heart. What was once thought of as our them. the pages of The Australian. In fact they ABC, with an enviable history of respected Anthony Albanese, the federal Opposition do so obsessively. Look, for example, at news reporting, cultural sophistication Leader, was right when he observed: Chris Kenny on Sky and in The Australian. and information sharing, is turning into “Australians are entitled to wonder whether Here he is on April 6 this year: “The ABC’s their ABC – a pale version of the glibbest the shift away from the humanities and Insiders panel chat program is “relentlessly offerings in the overly-commercialised towards more practical degrees is linked anti-conservative” and “makes a mockery” media. With a limited autodidact as to the Coalition’s anti-intellectual streak of the national broadcaster’s claim to board chair, and a pusillanimous senior and its culture wars over what universities objectivity and diversity says Sky News management team, things are unlikely to teach, particularly in areas such as history.” host Chris Kenny. He said regular viewers get better while this government remains in (5) You don’t have to wonder though of the program would “know only too (4) power.” because it is blindingly obvious this is well the panel is usually filled by green left Part of the anti-intellectualism drive of the exactly part of the authoritarian playbook. journalists” and “small ‘L’” liberals.” In fact right is to not only relentlessly attack the it is fair to say there is rarely a week goes As Professor Jeff Malpas, a distinguished ABC so that it cowers and cringes and by without The Australian and Sky News philosopher from the University of desperately tries for “balance” when frankly after 6pm – it is a different beast before Tasmania, has observed the Morrison none is called for – for example the crimes that time and refreshingly balanced – that government’s attack on humanities against humanity that constitutes policy the ABC is not subjected to an excoriation. “represents a desire to shut down towards asylum seekers for two decades The themes of the ‘critique’ are familiar. Australians’ capacity to think critically is what it is and the ABC should never The ABC is full of left wing and green about themselves and those who govern seek to allow voices which seek to defend voting journalists. The ABC is anti-Trump. them, to reflect on who we are and what it – but in its undermining of serious art by The ABC’s Norman Swan is no more we want to be, to make properly informed packaging it up as would a commercial qualified to talk about COVID than an anti- decisions about the challenges that face broadcaster. ABC Classic FM was once (6) vaxxer. The ABC is biased and refuses to us.” It is not an exaggeration to observe a veritable powerhouse. It was the place give voice to “ordinary” or “mainstream” that Mr Tehan’s attack on critical thought, where you learned about classical music Australians. shamefully supported by the Centre and jazz. It was a repository of some of Alliance but courageously and passionately

20 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 opposed by Senator Jacqui Lambie, is AC QC, ‘Trust, Confidence and Public – she having just returned from filming no different to what Russian President Institutions’ at the 2020 Sir Zelman at Omeo, not far from the then raging Vladimir Putin has done to the European Cowen Centre Oration, 5 August 2020, bushfires. We were already aware of the University in St Petersburg. Force its https://www.vu.edu.au/sites/default/ ABC’s remarkable emergency service work downward spiral because it churns out files/hon-ken-hayne-at-szcc-2020.pdf in keeping people informed and safer. critical thinkers. 3. Greg Barns, Rise of the Right. The War We entered 2020 worried about the As former British academic and writer on Australia’s Liberal Values. Hardie continuing fire threat, reminded by the Marina Warner artfully put it, in a 2015 Grant Publishing 2019. smoke haze, and worrying about the interview: “Investing in the humanities 4. A Patience, ‘Your ABC is turning continuing lack of climate action by the should be seen as infrastructure.” She into their ABC’, Pearls and Irritations federal government. Your Committee held argued: “It’s not a balance-sheet equation September 1 2020 https:// a Planning Day in Feb 2020, determined where if you put in this much you’ll get that johnmenadue.com/our-abc-is-turning- to continue the fight for our national much out, but if you’re teaching people into-their-abc/ broadcaster, and to be ready for an to be articulate, if you’re teaching people election whenever it might be called. We about the traditions of the country and 5. A Albanese, ‘Dan Tehan’s plan to raise decided to set-up several self-starting the traditions of their culture…that’s how cost of humanities degrees makes no subcommittees, each with a specific people connect. If we diminish that, we will sense’, The Australian June 25 2020. role and leading to more decentralised all be the poorer and I really do think you 6. J Malpas, ‘Arts and humanities needed decision-making. (7) can put that in value terms.” more than ever’, The Mercury June 21 Then COVID-19 struck, disrupting our Sadly Tasmania has played a key role 2020 plans more than just a little, but we in aiding and abetting the Morrison 7. A Preston, ‘The war against humanities quickly pivoted to massive use of Zoom government’s attack on critical thought. at Britain’s universities’, The Observer so that campaigns could continue within The Vice Chancellor of the State’s 29 March 2015 quoting ‘Learning the COVID-19 restrictions on physical university Rufus Black supported the My Lesson. Marina Warner on the gathering and movement. Despite all the Morrison government’s package. His disfiguring of higher education’, London 2020 difficulties, our rejuvenated Ballarat intervention was crucial because it enabled Review of Books, 19 March 2015 and Bendigo local groups thrived, showing Education Minister Dan Tehan and his great initiative. The Geelong ‘Supergroup’ 8. J Stark, ‘Melbourne University porn ban advocates to say, look here is a VC who developed a very professional monthly angers Ormond College students’ The backs us. Black has no background newsletter to get news and events out Age, 12 September 2015. in academia. He was a consultant at to its large membership – a role model that epitome of bland and vacuous Greg Barns SC is a barrister, writer and for us all. And plans for new groups in management speak, Mckinseys, and academic. He is based in Hobart and the north and east were only temporarily he ran a university college at Melbourne practises from Chambers there, and in delayed – watch out for news on those University where he earned himself a Melbourne and Brisbane. He teaches developments. within the Juris Doctor program at RMIT headline in 2015 for censoriously and That other pandemic, the Institute of University. Greg is a weekly columnist with patronisingly trying to stop adult students Public Affairs (IPA), released a “survey” (8) the Hobart Mercury, the author of four from watching porn! Black’s recent purporting to show that Australians books on Australian politics and a national long winded and platitudinous email to consider the ABC irrelevant and rapidly spokesman for the Australian Lawyers all University of Tasmania staff essentially losing listener and viewer support. ABC Alliance. He is an adviser to the Assange said that despite the misgivings Black had Friends Vic decided to respond by campaign. Greg was a political adviser about Mr Tehan’s offering, he would rather commissioning a Roy Morgan survey in to a number of federal and state leaders have the money on offer. Self-interested, April. You, our Members and supporters, and ministers and ran the 1999 Republic short term thinking is at the expense of this responded very generously to our request Referendum Campaign. State’s critical thinking capacity now and for financial help and by May, under the into the future. professional guidance of a dear ABC The title of this talk is ‘Critical Thought Friend Robyn Collins, we were able to in Australia-RIP.’ Make no mistake it is Victoria publish the reputably researched outcome, showing that the IPA was maliciously or real. The authoritarianism of the right is Report and AGM aggressive, unmuted and shows no sign incompetently wrong. The Morgan survey of abating. The current government in Your ABC soldiers on. Since I reported revealed that 76% of Australians oppose Canberra is its ally and sadly too often the a year ago, another nearly 250 people – any further cuts to the ABC’s budget ALP charts a course close to the right’s many were experienced and innovative and 49% believe it should get more coastline. It is incumbent on all of us to ABC veterans – have left or been pushed Federal Government funding. Less than push back against what is happening and out the ABC doors. The constant hostility 10% believe the ABC’s funding should to rescue our democracy. from News Ltd and the IPA continues. LNP be cut. The Roy Morgan findings serve as hostility raged during Senate Estimates References a warning to the Government that voters where David Anderson withstood have had enough of budget cuts to 1. D Masciotra, ‘Anti-intellectualism is unbelievable aggression on the day of the the national broadcaster. Successive back — because it never went away. now famous Four Corners program about Governments have reduced ABC funding And it’s killing Americans’, Salon, 30 the toxic culture in Parliament House. by a total of $783 million since 2014. May 2020. A year ago, we introduced Heather Ewart, Meanwhile, on another front LNP 2. Speech by the Hon. Kenneth Hayne of ABC’s Back Roads, at our AGM Dinner people were answering our barrage of

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 21 the potential electoral cost of ignoring strongly for the ABC – in spite of a few the ABC’s supporter base. Well done impediments which the year has imposed State News everyone! on us. Thank you all so much. While all this was going on, we were Peter Monie letters to MPs by asserting that ABC fortunate to have Michael Henry join President, ABC Friends Victoria Funding had increased since 2014. PM the Committee, recruited to help with a Morrison, Treasurer Frydenberg and new planning process to operate within Victorian Pre-Budget Campaign Communications Minister Fletcher, were the new world of COVID-19. Michael’s 2020 all spreading the same “Porkies” about extensive experience in strategic With the delayed (due to COVID-19) May “The ABC getting more money than ever”. planning and running organisations at budget scheduled for early October, Fact checkers at RMIT and experts at the highest levels is of enormous value rumours were rife that the ABC was going University of NSW enabled us to refute as we look ahead. Already in a short to be hit with some more damage to its these untruths. And to underline the facts, timeframe Michael has guided the funding, possibly by another horrible 2% nearly 250 further jobs at the ABC were completion of our Strategic Framework, ‘Efficiency Dividend’ or through a direct lost, bringing the total ABC staff reductions within which the subcommittees will reduction. under this government’s watch to about fill in the specific plans for the coming 1300! years’ activities. The Framework has It was clear that the federal government been distributed to all our local group had no intention of restoring the $84 During the winter months, through an convenors to assist them in formulating million frozen from ABC budget indexation; initiative by Committee member, Anne- their local plans. Communications Minister Fletcher had Maree Newbold, we ran a Slogan stated that more than once. But our competition. The winner was Barry Clarke So, what’s next - Preparing for an great fear was that further cuts in this for his slogan – “The ABC for Truth – not election next Sept/Oct - please let us budget could make the damage to the Profit”. Second was Marcus Ross with know if you can help. You may like to join ABC irreversible – it was a critical and “Australia’s Heartbeat – the ABC”. And a local group or be involved in setting up dangerous time for Aunty. third was Jill Bamforth with “Your Lives, a new group. With the help of a group of Your Issues, Your ABC”. Congrats to all Social Media experts, your Committee Thinking that all the budget decisions entrants. is preparing a sophisticated campaign for the October announcements would aiming to reach younger people who probably be set in stone by mid- Our next challenge was to run a Pre- support the ABC. And two students from September, the Victorian ABC Friends Budget campaign – you will recall the La Trobe University are working with us Committee decided to launch a big grass Budget was delayed until 6 October this on a direct survey of young families and roots campaign, supported by targeted year. The rumours were strong mid-year young people’s experience in accessing advertising, to push the message ‘No that the government was planning further news. Additionally, we are reaching out More Cuts’ at communities and federal ABC damage in the budget, perhaps to other like-minded groups such as politicians over a continuous three week via another 2% ‘Efficiency Dividend’, so GetUp!, Educators and Unions, with period, beginning the last week in August. over August/September our Groups and whom we are developing good working Communications sub-committee ran a Local groups were wound into action in relationships. rurally-focused ‘No More Cuts’ campaign, numbers to phone and write to their local backed up by letter-writing to MPs and Southern Bayside Group has again federal MP’s and Senators, send in Letters Senators and an advertising barrage in produced some wonderful Calendars to the Editor and spread the message print and on-line. Local groups wound up that will serve as excellent Christmas across community groups. Strong their activity telephoning MPs in numbers gifts – get your orders in if you haven’t messages were posted on the Victorian on set days to really get the message already done so. Facebook page throughout and news of across – ‘No More Cuts’! As it turned out Thanks to you, our Members and the campaign was messaged to other in the end there were no further cuts and Supporters, 2020 has been a year in supportive organisation like GetUp, unions we believe the Government is aware of which we have been able to fight very such as MEAA and to the ABC Alumni.

Left: Advertising in The Weekly Times. Above: GetUp van.

22 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 Advertising in News Corp’s The Weekly calls, Ballarat ensures politicians are Times, often referred to as the Bush Bible made aware of the group’s ongoing in Victoria, was scheduled every week concerns. They are also having regular across the campaign, with a final half articles published in the Ballarat Courier. page at the end of the campaign. These The Ballarat group have organised quite advertisements were directed at our rural a number of zoom sessions to keep and country citizens, who are important people in touch and informed. These supporters of the ABC generally, but have included talks by ABC Alumni - Matt are often unaware of the damage being Peacock being one; and a Year 11 boy inflicted upon the ABC through federal who used his interest in journalism to start government actions and budget cuts. a local paper when so many regional and GetUp also ran an excellent ‘No More rural newspapers stopped publishing. Cuts’ campaign running up to the October Geelong continues its good work. It has budget release, also targeting rural held vigils and has letter-writing campaigns communities, and even commissioned a and phone-call blasts to express concerns large van with the message in Canberra. to politicians, for example when the The October budget once released had additional freeze was announced in the much less damage to the ABC than we budget. As an established group, Geelong feared, so I think we can take some credit, has provided much support to Bendigo and say ‘well done’ to all our wonderful and Ballarat. local group supporters. That result shows ABC Friends Vic is currently working help inform their local population whilst, than the combined and co-ordinated with ABC followers in Mallacoota and at the same time, ensuring Bendigo has efforts of all the organisations fighting for nearby areas of East Gippsland who are a voice to demonstrate to politicians and the ABC’s funding and independence can keen to increase the area’s involvement others just how important the ABC is in be effective. A good effort by everyone. in advocating for the ABC. After all, it is their lives. They run a Facebook page; and abundantly clear, after last summer, that Marcus May they regularly ring and write to politicians this area needs ABC services. It is quite ABC Friends Victoria to hold them accountable. They have possible that there will be other groups recently held a vigil with COVID masks and that will emerge in the next few months. . social distancing which proved popular Victorian Groups with motorists tooting and encouraging Sue Moseby ABC Friends, Victoria In light of how seriously a large number them on. More are to be held as COVID of Australians view the attacks and de- restrictions ease. They have also held funding of the ABC, we have many coming zoom meetings with speakers one of on board to express their angst. This whom was the local Mayor. Western Australia has become very evident with our local Ballarat ABC Friends are now starting Hello to all our WA Friends and supporters, groups in Victoria. Despite the restrictions to have stalls and will soon be having and welcome to other readers. We are placed on them by COVID-19 they have more to increase their exposure to the drawing to the end of an unprecedented maintained their activity levels and their public. Through letter-writing and phone and difficult year. This state has been enthusiasm for the task ahead. Non- metropolitan local groups in particular have been very active. Regardless of where we live there are huge concerns regarding the ongoing damage to the quality of programming. However, for those who live in regional and rural areas, the issues are more complex. There is disquiet at the future capacity of the ABC to provide critical information that saves lives and property as occurred during disasters such as the bushfires in the 2019-20 season. Part of the problem is the financial capacity of the ABC to implement the increasing number of call-outs with reduced funding and reduced staffing levels. There is also the problem of the integrity of the transmission infrastructure that is very troubling to these groups. ABC Friends Vic have two regional branches that have been reinvigorated in recent times. Bendigo ABC Friends has a great team that is working together to Subiaco Farmers’ Market - Cathy and supporters

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 23 State News fortunate that our most stringent period of lockdown did not last too long, and that there has been no community transmission. But, as we’ve seen recently in South Australia, outbreaks of the virus can turn up without warning and it’s important to continue to be alert. This naturally makes planning, short and long AGM - 2020/21 Committee L-R Michael (inset), Jenny, Rosie, Bobbie, Margo, Liz, term, more challenging – but plan we must Terri, Cathy. if we are to do anything. As flagged in the last edition of Update, we ran a stall at Subiaco Farmers’ Market Zoom and in-person on Level 6 of the CSA towards the audience at the venue, on the morning of Saturday 3 October, Centre, Hay Street, East Perth. We had a I found it all too easy to overlook the sold some merchandise, gave out good attendance at the in-person event, fact that some people were attending stickers and badges, gained a few new but despite many RSVPs, very few people online, and to remember to include members and, most importantly, held lots joined online. This was disappointing them. At the AGM, I thanked all of the of conversations about the ABC! We are because a major benefit of running the previous committee, including Janet planning stalls at other markets around event by Zoom was to enable members Matthews who is stepping back, for their Perth next year. If there’s anyone living distant from the venue, or otherwise contributions and support. Everyone in a rural or regional area who would be unable to attend in person, to take part. worked well individually and as a team. prepared to organise and run a stall for Regardless of this, we will organise events We welcome Rosie Coates and Margo ABC Friends at a local market or other with an online component in future. Webb to the committee and look forward to working together over the next term. suitable event, please get in touch. We can This being the first time we have attempted Three office-holders and five committee supply materials and advice! Email us at a membership meeting online as well as members were elected for the 2020/21 [email protected]. in person, we were prepared to learn by term, as follows: ABC Friends WA held its Annual General experience. As the person standing at the Meeting on Sunday 25 October, virtually by lectern chairing the meeting and looking Bobbie Mackley President Vacant Vice President Cathy Bardon Secretary Liz Millward Treasurer Committee members: Terri Brown, Rosie Coates, Michael Dowling, Jenny Meyrick and Margo Webb

Following the meeting, the Conversation between our special guests, Kerry O’Brien, online from his home somewhere in the eastern states, and Mignon Shardlow, from Notre Dame University, AGM - Bobbie, Cathy & audience. Below: AGM - Kerry O’Brien and Mignon Shardlow who joined us at the CSA Centre, was based on questions submitted by WA members of ABC Friends, and was both compelling and intimate. Kerry is more ‘unfettered’ following his retirement from the ABC and not slow to speak his mind. You can catch up with the Conversation between Kerry and Mignon here [https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=_bXZ98HOB-s&feature=youtu. be], and there’s a report on the AGM on the WA webpage abcfriends.org.au/wa. On behalf of the committee, I wish you all a safe and happy festival season. Bobbie Mackley President, ABC Friends, WA

Page 24 Ross McDowell, Mac Stewart, Vicki Uhlmann, Murray Watt

Macgregor ‘Mac’ Stewart replaced Dr forefront of taking advantage of being Queensland Uhlmann as Secretary, and Kent Eising able to disseminate its content online was returned as Treasurer. for convenience listening to a global audience. As well as appointment ABC Friends Queensland AGM Also present was an organiser for the MEAA, and Trish Lake, representing ABC listeners on the wireless, Radio National’s A late November podcasts are downloaded in the millions, Saturday afternoon Alumn (declaring an interest, I’m also an ABC Alumnus). with Big Ideas being among the most at the inner city popular, even more so with the pandemic Paddington Paul Barclay sketched out his career from disrupting normal routines. In addition, Tavern, The hosting ABC Radio Mornings in Alice Paul Barclay said that in the era of ‘Fake Paddo, saw the Springs, to Background Briefing, where News’ and widespread disinformation, 2020 ABC Friends he won a Walkley Award in 2005 for his audiences were looking for content they Queensland background briefing on ‘Bundaberg‘s Dr knew was credible and produced to Annual General Death’, then to hosting Australia Talks Senator rigorous editorial standards, like on the Meeting, the same Back, a national talkback radio program Murray Watt ABC. Barclay also paid extensive tribute venue where, the and then Radio National’s Big Ideas. to how the ABC has responded to the While working on ATB, he and colleagues pandemic by continuing to produce high previous evening, learned that there was a wealth of potential quality programmes, with broadcasters, colleagues and content for longer-form radio that was not friends celebrated being gathered, produced and broadcast, including himself, being kitted out with the Gold Walkley such as book launches and talks and needed gear to record and produce Award for 2020 lectures from visiting scholars and shows from their homes. going to the ABC’s identities. On almost all kinds of topics and Senator Watt stressed his lifelong Brisbane-based issues. Big Ideas provides a slot for this engagement with the ABC as a loyal Mark Willacy for kind of content. listener and viewer, and now, as Four Corners his Paul Barclay At the same time, the podcast revolution a Senator serving on Committees exposé on Four was occurring, and the ABC was at the scrutinising the public broadcasters, he Corners expose was very concerned about the budget on alleged Afghanistan war crimes, ‘Killing cuts to the ABC, and apparent attempts Fields’. Plus the collective Walkley for at editorial interference, witness a Hearing the ABC Emergency bushfire coverage, on 9 November, 2020, the same evening and the Coronacast by Dr Norman Swan as the Four Corners investigation of and Tegan Taylor. The room was filled to Parliament’s toxic culture was broadcast. capacity, for the formalities of an AGM and to meet the new ABC Friends Queensland Attendees at the 2020 ABC Friends Patron, Senator Murray Watt, ALP Queensland AGM would have left Queensland, and hear the Guest Speaker, encouraged, informed, and prepared Paul Barclay, presenter of Radio National’s to continue campaigning for public Big Ideas. broadcasting into 2021. On the formalities, Dr Vicki Uhlmann Dr Mark Hayes MEAA organiser and Trish Lake replaced Ross McDowell as President, ABC Friends, Qld Page 25 State News

Doogue, Robyn Williams and Kerry A world of Zoom O’Brien. In 2020, the committee agreed NSW and ACT More than 500 people registered for our unanimously to present the award to September webinar, Stand Up for the the ABC as a whole, in recognition of its New and familiar faces ABC! Around 90 people attended the exceptional work in this most difficult of 2020 AGM by zoom, and 300 registered Following the AGM in October, we have years. a new president and a new committee. for the annual awards event. National At an online election (a new experience From the devastating Black Summer president, Margaret Reynolds, and I in the age of COVID) we selected a full bushfires, to the coronavirus pandemic, also attended the first birthday zoom complement of 16 members to the NSW which plunged us into a massive health celebration of the Northern Suburbs of committee. Seven of our committee now and economic crisis, to the rollercoaster Sydney. come from outside Sydney. of the US presidential election, 2020 has been a year like no other. Through it The NSW committee met by zoom Jennie Hicks joined us from the all, the ABC was there for us — helping throughout the year and we held our first Northern Rivers branch, Carmel safeguard lives and property, keeping us virtual branch meeting in August – the McCallum from the newly-formed informed, entertaining us, educating and first, but not the last. While there’s nothing Shoalhaven branch and Sue Ingram from amusing our children, and uplifting our quite like an in-person event, the great the ACT. Geoff Brann, Ed Davis, Sybille spirits. thing about zoom is that it opens access Frank, Tess Howes, Janine Kitson, Peter to many more participants. And so, we’ll As president, I was pleased to present Lindenmayer, Jason Lowe, Gia Metherell continue to hold virtual events throughout the award to ABC Managing Director, and Diana Wyndham were re-elected 2021. David Anderson via webinar. Two to the committee and the office bearers special ABC presenters joined us. are Cassandra Parkinson (President), Senate enquiry into media Interviewed by Gia Metherell, Fran Kelly, Mal Hewitt (Vice-President), Angela RN Breakfast presenter, and Dr Norman diversity Williamson (Secretary) and Margaret Swan, Health Report and Coronacast In November, the Senate announced an Whealy (Treasurer). presenter, told us about their experience enquiry into the state of media diversity, I succeeded Ed Davis as President – working at the ABC in challenging independence and reliability in Australia and it’s a tough act to follow. Ed has broadcasting conditions. Thank you to report by 31 March 2021. The enquiry done a brilliant job as a spokesperson ABC: trusted and treasured for 88 follows a petition from ABCF for an enquiry and advocate for the ABC and, thanks years. into ABC funding and another petition from to his leadership, ABC friends is stronger Kevin Rudd, which attracted more than and more effective than ever. The AGM New Branches 500,000 signatures. Clearly, Australians acknowledged Ed’s contribution with a We have two new branches and two care about the state of our media! life membership and a gift. Fortunately, more on the horizon. ABCF NSW & ACT will help draft a Ed will remain on the NSW committee submission to be presented by ABCF and has taken on the presidency of the The new Southern Highlands branch National. We are also participating in Eastern suburbs branch. launched in September to a COVID- limited crowd of around 30 in Bowral. several other national activities including a The AGM also farewelled another Vice-President of NSW & ACT Friends, review of IT systems and preparations for long-time committee member, Ireen Mal Hewitt, OAM, came from the Blue the annual planning meeting and lobbying Allanson. For more than 20 years, Mountains to launch the branch. On 28 day to be held early in 2021. Ireen has been active in ABCF, first as a November we launched the Shoalhaven Mal Hewitt and I are the NSW/ACT member of the events sub-committee and South Coast branch with Dr John members on the national committee for and then on the NSW committee. Hewson as the guest speaker. Branch 2021 and I have been elected National Ireen was always there at fetes, rallies convenor, Carmel McCallum and I also Vice-President. and meetings, doing all those things spoke. Many thanks to secretary, Angela that made our events a success. We Williamson, for her work in helping To all our valued Friends and supporters, were delighted to award Ireen with life establish the new branches. your NSW committee sends warm wishes membership and a crystal plaque. for a peaceful Christmas and New Year. COVID forced us to delay the launch It’s been a tough year, but we’ll emerge of a branch in the western suburbs Excellence in Broadcasting stronger than ever in 2021, ready to of Sydney but as restrictions ease we Award campaign vigorously in support of a will revive our plans. Another branch is strong, properly-funded and independent Each year, ABCF NSW/ACT presents an planned in Sydney’s southern suburbs. ABC. Thank you for your support. excellence in broadcasting award to an Keep tuned for more news or contact individual at the ABC. Past winners have [email protected] if you’d like to Cassandra Parkinson included such luminaries as Geraldine be involved. President, ABC Friends NSW & ACT

26 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 NSW Branch News

report into public broadcasting, we ACT & Region Branch wrote to Minister Fletcher seeking more Northern Rivers information, particularly the reason that This year has been one of surprises for The deferred Federal Budget gave us an the report would not be publicly released. the ACT and Region Branch – as for the opportunity to again remind the major Finally, after two follow up prompts, we whole world! In February our Planning Day political parties that we are still around and received a reply - that failed to answer our with high profile guest speakers had to be that we’re not going let the ABC be gutted key questions. The report was due to be cancelled when Canberra was smothered without listing the consequences. in dense smoke that closed events and handed to the Minister on 2 October, and prevented non-essential travel. But at this stage neither we nor the general Northern Rivers cover two Federal seats, watching and listening to ABC reporting on public have any idea what it says. (Did Page with the Nationals and Richmond the fires in our area reminded us of the vital someone mention transparency and with Labor. And for good measure, the role that the ABC plays in emergencies. accountability?) Greens hold the state seat of Ballina. Two of the three pollies belong to Friends. As well as these activities, a number of In March we went along to Parliament Looking for a trifector, in late September our members are active letter writers, and to support and listen to the debate on we collaborated with GetUp! who ran have a good record for getting their lively a motion from (SA Centre Alliance MP) full page advertisements calling on the and topical contributions printed in relevant Rebecca Sharkie in support of the ABC. Nationals` Kevin Hogan to defend the newspapers. Oddly enough, only The Rebecca and seconder Helen Haines ABC. More than two thousand Page Australian seems reluctant to print them, (Independent, Indi, Vic) spoke well, and we electorate residents signed GetUp`s apparently preferring letters that keep to met with them afterwards to congratulate petition. No response was forthcoming to the News Ltd line. But then we all know them on the motion and thank them for the petition nor to the request for a joint that diversity in media isn’t their thing. their advocacy. meeting with him. Congratulations to local member Sue Of course the virus then intervened in With community markets starting again in Ingram, who was elected to join the NSW ways that we all know, cancelling various October, we ran a stall at the small Ballina & ACT Committee, joining Gia Metherell planned activities, including stalls at local Market that services Page and Richmond and me, both re-elected. We look forward markets and a visit to ABC studios. But Electorates. In our covering letters to to working with you during a busy year. we fumbled our way to mastery of the new both Federal MP`s enclosing copies of And with (we hope) the worst of COVID online technologies - which now actually the signed petitions, we indicated that behind us, our branch was pleased to work reasonably well, and we’ve continued we understood the need to address the hold its first stall of the year in November, to have some interesting discussions. current health and budget crisis (Norman enjoying lots of support from passers-by at Fortunately, the ACT’s COVID numbers Swan and the ABC, again, thankyou) but Ainslie shopping centre. So we’re looking and restrictions have been relatively stressed the need to get ABC funding forward to a more outgoing program of light, so we were able to hold a (socially back on the agenda. activities in 2021. distanced) Thank You ABC demo outside The ALP responded favourably and Peter Lindenmayer, the local studios, recognising the work in fairness to Mr Hogan. we did get a Convenor, ABC Friends ACT Regional done on both the bushfire and the response, of sorts. While he didn`t address pandemic. It was gratifying to have lots of Branch local motorists tooting their support. With the retirement of Eden-Monaro MP (and long-time ABC supporter) Mike Kelly, our group swung into election mode again, evaluating candidates’ views on the ABC, developing score cards and campaigning actively with letterboxing, attending voting booths, newspaper articles and ads and social media. The campaign also gave us the impetus to establish our own Facebook page. In our analysis of views, ALP candidate Kristy McBain came out as a much stronger supporter than her Liberal opponent. It was a result, but we think our campaign helped get her over the line – and she’s since spoken out strongly on ABC issues. Concerned about reports of the Branch stalwarts Gia and Jane celebrating a return to market stalls, Ainslie Shops Government commissioning a secret

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 27 Fortunately, we were able to hold two with the ABC. Michelle stated that she is NSW Branch News branch Zoom committee meetings this keen to receive ideas from ABC Friends. year, thus staying in touch with each other, During the ABC Friends Federal Election and planning for future activities. Campaign next year, our ABC Friends Despite being unable to meet up at our stalls at major local community events will monthly meetings throughout the year, be vital opportunities to share the facts our branch has supported other branches and fears about the persistent defunding in their campaigns. We were invited to of OUR ABC and to grow our Friends participate in the NSoS Friends rally in membership. Also, we will be able to February, outside the Communications raise funds for our branch, with the sale minister Paul Fletcher’s office. Many of ABCF merchandise. enthusiastic Friends successfully drew We hope to be addressing various local attention to the plight of Our ABC. NSoS community groups and organisations branch inspires us all. next year, about the role of the Friends The stall at the small Ballina Market Two of our members, Susan Lamont and in defending the ABC, with the inherent Wendy Goldsmith, participated in The opportunity of recruiting new members. Eden-Monaro By-Election, handing out Initially, we will be drawing on our own the two important issues raised in the Friends How-to-vote cards at Narooma members’ associations with other groups petition i.e merit based appointments polling station, and engaging with the to gain invitations to visit! The new “ABC and the restoration of funding levels, locals on all things ABC. They had a great Funding Facts” presentation will be an he did state that the Nats have a clear time and their report in our BM newsletter invaluable tool in our endeavours. policy never to “privatise or sell the ABC”. paid tribute to the fantastic and awe- We thanked him for that commitment Sue Noske inspiring Friends Campaign. and wish him well any efforts made to ABC Friends, Blue Mountains persuade his Coalition partner to do Barry and Bev Redshaw were able to likewise. participate in the “soft launch” of the new Southern Highlands branch, extending the Looking for a more positive year in 2021, Northern Suburbs of hand of Friendship to another emerging planning is progressing nicely for us to branch of Friends. Sydney (NSoS) sponsor a public event in late February with Kerry O’Brien, in conversation with We look forward to collaborating with former ABC Foreign Correspondent Zoe fellow Friends branches next year. Blue NSoS sent a delegation of ten to Daniel. Zoe will discuss her experiences Mountains members will be particularly Parliament House, Canberra on Budget in Washington DC during the Trump era. involved in supporting the launch of the Day 6-7 October because we love More details on an exact date and venue much-anticipated Western Suburbs of the ABC so much that we travelled to to come in the new year. Sydney branch. Co-convenors Barry and Canberra on Budget Day to ensure our Bev Redshaw, previous BM residents, message was heard. It also highlighted Peter Dickson have been major players in our branch, how Paul Fletcher MP for Bradfield and ABC Friends, Northern Rivers serving on the committee in many roles, Minister for Communications has refused and participating tirelessly at local markets to meet his constituents, even though and events. Barry and Bev also took we have been asking for a meeting since Blue Mountains on the role of producing and editing a October 2019 when we staged our first Our branch started the year with a monthly newsletter for over three years, demonstration. bang, with our highly visible stall at the thus keeping our members informed and For two mornings we stood on the Glenbrook Australia Day Festival. It was connected. These ABCF warriors feature Parliamentary Lawns with our umbrellas, a timely opportunity to highlight the vital in quite a few photos on the NSW / ACT signs and banners, in the Canberra rain role of our ABC in emergency coverage, Friends site! and cold and waiting for Mr Fletcher with our new banner, “our ABC: Your We were thoroughly inspired by the to walk the 370 steps down from Local Bushfire Lifeline”, proudly displayed “Stand up for the ABC” webinar in the Parliament doors to meet us. His on top of our tent. Our new pull-up September, and also by our local MP absence only reinforced our banner banner “Integrity and Truth in Reporting”, Susan Templeman’s Virtual Rally with message “Paul Fletcher, Minister for Non- generated much interest, with its long list Michelle Rowland, Shadow Minister Communications.” However we were of major ABC investigations. We were for Communications, in July. This rally greatly encouraged by the support we visited by our Blue Mountains Mayor confirmed the Labor Party’s commitment received from many MPs and Senators, Mark Greenhill, our Federal MP Susan to reversing the latest cuts to the ABC. across the political divide, who met Templeman, who was accompanied by Michelle spoke about the need to appeal with us or sent a message of support - Anthony Albanese. This provided a great more to pro-ABC organisations such including from Michelle Rowland Shadow opportunity for Barry and Bev Redshaw as the CWA, the Farmers’ Federation Minister for Communications, Senator to speak to the pollies about the launch and big industry. She spoke about the Jacqui Lambie, MP Susan Templeman of the Western Suburbs of Sydney need for more resilience for the telcos, (Macquarie) and NSoS’s MP Zali Steggall Friends branch, scheduled for March this to keep Australians safe, the first job of (Warringah) who kindly brought us each year. This event, like many, had to be government. And, she admitted that the a cup of coffee. Andrew Wilkie and Dr postponed, but it will be full-steam-ahead toughest interview she’s ever had, was Mike Freelander, the Co-Convenors in March 2021!

28 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 of the Parliamentary Friends of ABC felt singing ‘Where would we be without encouraged us to remember the three ‘P’s’ telephoned us sending their messages of the ABC’ in front of Parliament House. of campaigning - patience, persistence admiration for our delegation demanding Hundreds of Canberra commuters showed and passion. Thank you to Cassandra that the ABC cuts be reversed in the their support for the ABC as they honked Parkinson who hosted our zoom party and Budget. Other messages of support came their car horns outside the ABC Studio on congratulations on her election as the new Rebekah Sharkie, and Senators Mehreen Northbourne Avenue. Perhaps our most ABC Friends NSW & ACT President. Corin Faruqi, Perin Davey and Sarah Hanson- poignant moment was when we stood Fairburn Bass - whose husband Walter Young in a candlelight vigil outside the ABC Bass founded the ABC Friends in 1976 We were delighted when Ben Utting, Studio and felt the pain and grief over the gave a moving speech that inspired us to Media Incentives from the Department of loss of 250 of the nation’s most talented, continue our fight for the ABC. The zoom Communications invited us to meet him experienced and professional ABC staff. ‘birthday party’ ended with members in his Acton office and then promised to What next? - We have now written to singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and blowing out meet with National President Margaret many MPs and Senators including our the candles on their cakes. Reynolds at a future date. Just as we were own NSoS Liberal MPs - John Alexander NSoS’s first ABC Friends Stall at about to get into our cars to travel home, (Bennelong), Jason Falinski (Mackellar), Hornsby Shopping Centre - Saturday 14 a message came through from Senator Julian Lesser (Berowra), Trent Zimmerman November - Thank you to Chris Haviland Kristina Keneally office - she was available (North Sydney - also a Parliamentary and Anne Matheson and all the volunteers to meet with us and we rushed back to Friend of ABC) asking for their assistance who helped at our first ABC Friends stall. If Parliament House for a photograph with for a pre-Budget delegation to Canberra in you know of a local stall and are prepared her. 2021. We look forward to their support in to run one - please contact us. NSoS can Other highlights included the pride we reversing the ABC cuts. supply you with materials and posters. NSoS Zoom First Birthday Party - ABC should be the preferred viewing Friday 9 October channel in public hospital waiting Our special guest Margaret Reynolds rooms - NSoS has written to Brad President of ABC Friends National Hazzard NSW Minister of Health asking if he could ensure that ABC be the preferred channel in public hospital viewing areas. Calling for a NSW Parliamentary Friends of ABC to be formed - NSoS has also written to Brad Hazzard NSW Minister of Health asking if he could consider initiating a bipartisan NSW Parliamentary Friendship Group for the ABC. Very relevant when the NSW Parliament House has other Parliamentary Friends Groups including the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Australian Music. Where would NSW be without the Kate Reid, Lindsay Somerville and ABC during the Summer Bushfires and Janine Kitson before the 3 September pandemic? Vigil outside ABC Studio in Canberra meeting with Paul Fletcher Canberra

NSoS Hornsby Stall

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 29 to the ABC’s current financial problems young people and those in their 40s or 50s NSW Branch News due to the current funding freeze. In to see whether the ABC is valued by these thinking about ways to address this we groups and, if so, what they might be able are currently considering contact with Upcoming Actions & Events to do about it. There was some discussion influential community groups like National around the use of social media and Friday 18 December 6pm: Dinner, Bella Farmers Federation, Rural Fire Service, suggestions were made about attending Blue Café, Lindfield - numbers strictly State Emergency Service. They have bushfire preparation meetings and going limited - so please contact me if you are mainly positive public profiles, and have a to speak to Garden Clubs about the role of interested in joining us stake in a well-funded ABC. Promoting the ABC in these areas. The Branch was the new ABC Emergency website to these subsequently successfully launched and Letter Writing & Coffee morning at Bella groups will be on our list of action items. a small committee was formed which has Blue Café: date to be confirmed Politicians might be less inclined to dismiss since had two meetings. Saturday 13 February 2021: ABCF Stall at the ABC if it was to receive endorsements Hornsby Shopping Plaza from these groups. In early October some members joined a delegation to Canberra organised by Janine Kitson That is all for now, at the end of an Janine Kitson of the NSoS Branch. Janine Convenor, ABC Friends, Northern Suburbs externally dramatic year, whilst a wee bit has reported on this in the NSoS Report. of Sydney Branch (NSoS) quiet here in Armidale. Unfortunately, neither Paul Fletcher, Dr Bruce Stephenson Minister for Communications, nor Angus President, ABC Friends Armidale Taylor, our Federal Member for Hume, Armidale bothered to call us or come out to meet The Armidale branch had its AGM recently, us, even though they had been informed which we managed to run in hybrid- Western Suburbs of beforehand that we would be there, and mode. We had a capacity (COVID-wise) Sydney WSoS (forming) were invited to do so. We have since sent audience of about 16 in the venue we an email and a letter from our committee were using plus others via Zoom. This Greater Western Sydney is in the to Angus Taylor, expressing our concerns seemed to work quite well, and highlighted metropolitan area with one of the fastest about ABC funding and requesting that growing populations of around 2 million. the point that using the internet in addition he speak to Paul Fletcher on our behalf, The Greater Western Sydney region runs to those attending in person allows for asking Mr Fletcher to take more seriously from Windsor in the north Campbelltown more geographically dispersed people to his responsibility to talk to his constituents, in the south Parramatta in the east and attend such functions. A helpful point for a and his accountability to the taxpayers Penrith in the west. regional branch. We might continue to use more generally who widely care about the this hybrid approach post-pandemic for The disappointing COVID-19 Pandemic ABC. We await a response. AGMs and talks. postponement just a few days before the We are now planning to hold a street 2020 scheduled launch is in the distant Our AGM was followed with a talk by table in Bowral on 5 December and we past. We stand ready to restart our 2021 Professor Alan Scott, sociologist at the are looking to have a larger meeting of WSoS campaign when safe to do so and University of New England. Alan used the Southern Highlands Branch early next with ABC Friends NSW/ACT agreement as a number of case studies, including year and have canvassed some possible early as March 2021 or soon thereafter. the BBC and recent developments in speakers. We are also planning to hold a European countries, to highlight attacks Beverly and Barry Redshaw stall at the Exeter Market early in 2021. If on public broadcasting and other public Co-convenors WSoS (forming) any Southern Highlands ABC Friends are bodies. Needless to say, defending interested in helping us to develop further public institutions and the dissemination activities, we would love to hear from you. of valid information (with substantial Southern Highlands Gill Graham and independent support, unlike false We are a very new Branch, having been Convenor ABC Friends, Southern information) is an ongoing business. launched at a meeting in Bowral on 23 Highlands For those who are interested in the September 2020 attended by about 30 phenomenon of misinformation (false people including Mal Hewitt and Angela news) which has always been with us, Williamson, respectively Vice President and Hunter but is unfortunately becoming increasingly Secretary of the NSW & ACT Branch. Their prevalent, the idea of a ‘fake news vaccine’ support was very much appreciated. It has been a quiet year for the Hunter – a game to immunise the public against branch as have not had any face-to-face During the meeting those attending were false information - has been proposed meetings. When we contacted members invited by the chair, Trevor Wright, to by Dutch academics in collaboration about delaying the AGM and keeping participate by answering the question with others at Oxford University: https:// the present committee, there were no ‘What do we hope to achieve and what en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_News_(video_ objections, so the current committee will strategies could we use’. This prompted game). be continuing until the next AGM. We plan a flow of ideas including managing to have a committee meeting in November We continue to be concerned about Radio information booths at community or December this year and we will discuss National’s poor signal strength in Armidale, events, holding market stalls, contacting future activities then. and reports from other regional areas of politicians, whether State or Federal, problems with ABC broadcast strength, by mail, email or telephone, as well as Anne Kirsten but at the same time we are sympathetic targeting different age groups including Secretary, ABC Friends Hunter

30 ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 ABC Media Release, 16 October 2020

ABC Education and Australian Media Literacy Alliance unite to combat “fake news” for Media Literacy Week

ABC Education has partnered with the newly formed said: “The ABC is delighted to partner with AMLA in Australian Media Literacy Alliance (AMLA) to combat the educating people about the essential need of media spread of spin, misinformation and “fake news” around literacy for all Australians. Through Media Literacy the world. AMLA brings together some of the nation’s Week and the ABC Education Website, we will connect leading cultural and educational institutions to advocate students and teachers with high quality and trustworthy for high-quality education programs and resources and content that equips them with the skills to think critically to raise awareness of the need for robust media literacy about the media they consume and create every day.” education for all Australians. The 2020 Media Literacy About the Australian and Media Literacy Alliance Week, from 26-31 October, featured special events to (AMLA) - AMLA partners collaborate to develop a help teachers and students, including: united approach to media literacy for all Australians. • Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Its efforts focus on supporting lifelong learning, online professional learning session on media especially for those who may be vulnerable to literacy. disinformation or digital exclusion. Founding members • National Sound and Film Archive discussions on are ABC Education, Australian Library and Information media literacy and advertising in Australia. Association, Museum of Australian Democracy, National Film and Sound Archives, National and State Libraries • The Foundation for Young Australians panel Australia, Queensland University of Technology and discussing their report “Missing: Young People Western Sydney University. For more information: in Australian News Media”, which examines how https://medialiteracy.org.au/ or info@medialiteracy. young people have been represented by the media org.au. during the COVID-19 pandemic. • ABC’s Behind the News (BTN) special media-literacy themed “Ask a Reporter” episode on Friday 30 October. ABC Education’s Media Literacy website - http:// education.abc.net.au or @ABCEducationAU - features new resources to teach students about using data and statistics, as well as “fake news” interactives and online lessons with RMIT/ABC Fact Check about subjects such as “information disorder” and spotting fake images. Annabel Astbury, ABC Head of Education,

ABC Friends National Update, December 2020, Vol 28, No 4 31 Join the ABC Friends There is strength in numbers, and every membership counts at this time of unprecedented attacks on ‘Our ABC’. To join go to www.abcfriends.org.au or phone your local contact below.

ABC Friends ABC Friends National Inc. NSW & ACT South Australia & Northern Western Australia PO Box 3620 Manuka ACT 2603 Cassandra Parkinson Territory Bobbie Mackley [email protected] PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 Sue Pinnock PO Box 534 Subiaco WA 6904 Phone: 0403 105 901 PO Box 7158 Hutt St Adelaide [email protected] Victoria president_nswact@abcfriends. SA 5000 T: 0422 489 711 (office hours only) org.au PO Box 233 South Melbourne Vic Phone: 0407 035 701 Tasmania 3205 [email protected] Phone: 1300 108 126 Queensland Kate Durkin (Secretary) [email protected] 55 Feltham St North Hobart Dr Vikki Uhlmann Tas 7000 Phone: 0417 196 412 Phone: 0447 645 345 [email protected] (office hours only) [email protected] Queensland Regional Branch

Sunshine Coast Charmaine Foley: 0411 880 375 [email protected]

NSW/ACT Regional Branches

ACT Region Eastern Suburbs of Sydney Northern Rivers Riverina Peter Lindenmayer (Convenor) Nizza Siano (Secretary) Jennie Hicks (Secretary) Drew Porter 0497 976 945 02 9327 3423 0431 958 991 02 6922 3813 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Armidale Hunter Byron sub-branch Shoalhaven & South Coast Vic Wright (Secretary) Allan Thomas Tim Mulroy Carmel McCallum (Convenor) 0477 877 315 02 4930 7309 0412 149 106 0414 392 660 (texts preferred) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Blue Mountains Illawarra Tweed sub-branch Southern Highlands Sue Noske (President) Jan Kent (Secretary) Sandy Copley Gill Graham (Convenor) 02 4751 8320 02 4271 3531 0403 375 400 0421 870 982 0421 020 610 [email protected] [email protected] Belinda (Secretary) [email protected] [email protected] Mid-North Coast Lismore sub-branch Central Coast Drusi Meggett Therese Crollick Western Suburbs of Ross McGowen 02 6583 8798 02 6628 7297 Sydney 0400 213 514 [email protected] 0403 070 063 Bev and Barry Redshaw (Convenors) [email protected] [email protected] Northern Suburbs of Sydney 0429 492 168 Janine Kitson (Convenor) [email protected] 0428 860 623 [email protected]

Victorian Groups

Like to join a local group or Ballarat Electorate Eastern Melbourne Latrobe electorate be on their mailing list? To Maureen MacPhail Neil: 0411 487 348 Peter Fleming find out more about one in 0476 247 870 [email protected] 0418 557 808 your area: ➞ [email protected] Geelong area [email protected] Not in these areas? Bendigo Electorate Michael: 03 5271 1222 Northern Melbourne Contact Marcus May Nancy Toohey [email protected] Margaret: 0421 338 155 [email protected] [email protected] 0416 009 339 Inner Melbourne [email protected] Boroondara Michael Bond Southern Bayside Gael: 03 9859 5185 0413 315 084 Ivor: 03 9580 6402 as we are setting up new [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] groups. Castlemaine area Inner Western Melbourne Rosie: 0419 767 884 Anne-Maree [email protected] [email protected]