Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. qu a rt e r ly news l e t t e r December 2004 Vol 14, No. 11 1 in c o rp o ra ti n g ba ck g round briefing national magazine up d at e friends of the abc

LEVY: ABC UNDERFUNDED BY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS The woman regarded as the most influential manager in the ABC has told NSW Friends of the ‘grim reality’ of programming at current funding levels.

In her address to the Friends AGM in September, the Head of ABC Television, Sandra Levy painted a stark picture. A 30% decline in funding in real terms over the last 20 years. A 50% drop in staff numbers. Production

Sandra Levy, Head of ABC-TV costs rising at levels not commensurate with CPI increases.

By contrast the commercial networks, Nine and Seven, which don’t produce the range of programs as the ABC in areas such as arts, science, religion, or indigenous affairs, each spend $700M a year more than the ABC on running their television networks. Continued on Page 2

Cartoon courtesy Phil Sommerville WINDFALL FOR ABC EXECUTIVES The ABC’s Annual Report 2003-04 reveals that senior executives in the cash-strapped national broadcaster have given themselves whopping pay rises. Continued on Page 9 LEVY: ABC UNDERFUNDED age group. The biggest increase Grass Roots. BY HUNDREDS OF has been in Melbourne (34% +) We are still are in dialogue with MI L L I O N S Geoffrey Atherton another series. Continued from Page 1 Local content. 6:30 to 8 o’clock strands are all Tony Squires. "We’d love to do more if we had Australian from Monday to Friday. The ABC can’t afford to or man- the money," Levy said, also adding age to keep everybody of talent the Einstein "we’d love to do more if we could New shows such as working on our network. We are F a c t o r make more hours in the day. have been well received. very fond of Tony and hope the next project he does works out well. She admitted that the range and Funding rejections. diversity of ABC content is being Submissions to the Federal ‘adjusted’ and production methodol- Government for an all-Australian Repeats in prime time. ogy reduced to match the funding digital TV channel for children and We’re running Cracker now because realities. additional funding for Australian we think they’re cult pieces. We only drama were both rejected this year. repeat those things which we think On a brighter note, Levy said are classics. But we don’t do it very more than 50 ABC programs had Licence fees. often. achieved audiences of more than a This is not something that I can make happen or not make happen. Parramatta branch member Mal million people this year. Hewitt also asked Sandra if she Dumbing down. could clone the ABC’s Middle East Sandra made two particularly I don’t believe that there’s a sin- Correspondent Jane Hutcheon. resonant observations. gle program that we wouldn’t put on Sandra tactfully suggested he refer the ABC that isn’t appropriate for the his request to the News and Current "The ABC functions at 100s of ABC… all of our programs are valid Affairs Division. millions of dollars a year less than appropriate programs that fall within its rivals and competitors in its mar- our appropriate responsibilities with- Mal will be pleased to hear that ketplace." in Charter. I don’t think we should Jane has just been appointed as the confuse success with dumbing-down. ABC’s Europe Correspondent based "The money you get from gov- in London. She takes over from Philip ernment each year doesn’t even Williams in early 2005, and joins Drama costs. maintain often our current levels of Australian drama, miniseries and another ABC luminary, Fran Kelly. activity. It’s a very very very stressful telemovies are about $1M to $3M place to work. You’re constantly an hour. Low-cost high-volume having to evaluate and lose things." video tape studio is about $500,000 an ho u r . Th a t ’ s a lot of weeks of Th e Here’s a summary of some other Bi l l . areas she covered: The new Communications TV Aud i e n c e s. Minister Senator Helen Up 24% in the last 3 years with Coonan. A delight to work with (!) increases across all age groups, including a 25% jump in the 16-39

Inside: Levy: ABC Underfunded...... 1-2 The Acting President’s Report 3 Private lives vs public broadcaster 4 Introducing the FABC Bulletin 5 Our ABC: A Dying Culture? 6 Funding Fiasco 8-9 BTN is back 12 FABC NSW Events 12 Branch News 14 (l to r) Liliane Leroy, Gary Cook, and Peter Burke look on as Sandra Levy addresses the NSW Friends AGM. Page 2 THE ACTING PRESIDENT’S REPORT The Federal Election is over and issues of ABC funding and quality overwhelming original news coverage. despite the best efforts of many public broadcasting get the prominence Friends branches in NSW, the ABC they deserve. He also flagged a crisis of confi- never really seemed to register on dence in mainstream media quoting the voters’ radar. New Committee a previous Olle lecturer Eric Beecher, who in one survey found The Coalition, which promised The responsibility for keeping the 70% of Australians relying on non- the least support of any major party ABC in the spotlight over the next media sources for their information. to the ABC in its campaign, was re- year falls to our new Executive elected with an increased majority Committee. However the best solution Chris and will take control of the Senate Anderson could come up with was from July next year. As you can tell from the photo the idea that networks should pool there are some new faces, and some audio and video coverage of press For the record, the Coalition has old ones. I’m looking forward to conferences to free up journalists to promised to extend ABC NewsRadio working with all of you. generate more in-depth coverage. to all transmission areas around Australia with populations over There are some crunch times The Olle Lecture was established 10,000 and improve the reception of ahead, and one of our biggest in 1996 by presenters and staff at local radio in some regional areas, responsibilities will be the Friends’ 702 ABC Sydney to honour the including Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.. role in highlighting the chronic lack of memory of Andrew Olle and assist funding at the ABC, and the continuing the Andrew Olle Memorial Trust raise To those branches who organ- threats to its independence. funds for research into neuroscience, ised Meet the Candidate forums in particularly brain tumours. their regions, well done on a sterling Andrew Olle Lecture effort. While not wanting to take away I attended this year’s Andrew from the contribution the Lecture Election posters, flyers and Olle Media Lecture on behalf of the makes to the Trust, I left the evening bumper stickers were made available Friends and came away somewhat wondering how far this kind of to all branches. It’s worth noting that disillusioned. Lecture advances the ideal of the Friends groups actively campaigned public interest as championed by the in two marginal seats that changed The former Optus and TVNZ late broadcaster. hands, Parramatta and Richmond. CEO Chris Anderson gave the lec- ture in his current incarnation as a David Barrington For the next three years and PBL Board member. In previous Vice President beyond, the Friends will continue to incarnations he was also an executive raise our voice in a frank, fearless at the ABC and Fairfax. Anderson and non-partisan way, to ensure the bemoaned the fact that opinion is

FABC COMMITTEE MEETINGS The NSW Committee meets on the third Monday each month (except December and January) at 6.00pm at the Gaelic Club, 64 Devonshire St., Surry Hills. Members are welcome to attend as observers. Please make arrangements in advance by contacting a member of the Executive. FABC NSW E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e (back) Janet Crennan, Bob Kijurina, Mal Hewitt, Alison Rahill, Correll Fawcett, Jason Lowe, Nance Loney, Brian Davies, Mike Hudson. (front) Jon Philips (since stood down), James Buchanan, Gary Cook, David Barrington, Carolyn Green. (absent: Klaas Wo l d r i n g )

Page 3 PRIVATE LIVES VS THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER The ABC is pushing ahead with None of Your Business! Business" on any declaration forms attempts to peer into the private lives handed to them. of its staff. After a joint campaign by the ABC’s three unions, CPSU, MEAA, Storm clouds In the September edition Update and APESMA, and widespread pub- readers were informed of the ABC licity among Friends groups and the For the record, Update believes Human Resources department’s media, the push to implement the ABC staff should be free to pursue push to introduce a draconian Draft Draft Code seemed to have gone on whatever interests they choose in Code of Conduct. the back-burner. the private time outside work hours, provided the work they produce for Recapping briefly, the Draft Code That was until late October when the ABC doesn’t contravene the threatens to limit the ability of ABC staff in ABC Local Radio complained ABC’s editorial policies. staff to involve themselves in public that they had received ‘disclosure debate, by prohibiting any kind of forms’ as part of their job plans for It’s been pointed out that promi- personal behaviour that could, in its the coming year. nent broadcasters are usually great words, ‘reflect on the standing or ambassadors for the ABC, and dur- integrity of the Corporation.’ Then in the first week of ing the 1990s a policy of taking the November, the Director of News and ABC to the community won the ABC Questions have been raised about Current Affairs John Cameron sent many new followers. the arbitrary nature of judging exact- out an email to all staff. ly what might amount to such It stated: 'All requests to perform The Friends cannot support any behaviour. work outside the ABC or in areas of measure that jeopardises that com- the ABC other than News and munity involvement. As FABC NSW President Gary Current Affairs, paid or unpaid must Cook pointed out at the time, the be referred in writing to your supervi- Alas, Update fears there will be Draft Code could be applied sor, who will decide what action is more reports about conflicts on this favourably for some, while becoming necessary'. front in 2005. a gag for others. The email said this would apply irrespective of any outcome reached As if that wasn’t enough it also about the Draft Code of Conduct! includes a clause that says cash prizes won by staff must be returned ABC staff unions are advising to the ABC in full! their members to write "None of Your

Excerpts from draft “Code of Conduct” for ABC Employees

Employees should exercise care and discretion when making public comment on their own behalf, because a statement made in a public forum as outlined may not, in all circumstances, avoid a conflict of interest or conduct that brings the ABC into disrepute. Sometimes employees may need to refrain from making public comment if a conflict cannot be avoided.

Full-time employees of the ABC must gain the written approval before engaging in work outside for any person, firm or corporation. This applies irrespective of whether employees are working for the ABC, or are on paid or unpaid leave, or whether the work is paid or unpaid.

If an ABC employee wins an award that includes a cash prize for an ABC (internal) pro- gram then the cash prize is to be returned in full to the ABC. ABC Staff unions have been actively campaigning against the Draft Code of Conduct.

Page 4 INTRODUCING THE FABC BULLETIN

Matters Aunty have attained greater public promi- nence now the election is over (sadly.) To tell the truth David Marr has stood down after it’s hard for many of us, your beleaguered U p d a t e editor three years on Media Watch included, to keep up with it all. DRAFTABA BIAS REPORT LEAKED The NSW Friends energetic Vice President David The draft report upholds 7 of 43 complaints of "Biased, Barrington has come up with the perfect answer. It’s and in particular anti-American coverage" of the Iraq war called the FABC Bulletin. by the AM program made by ex-Minister Richard Alston. Media Wa t c h presenter David Marr said "I've had to read Those readers who aren’t totally un r e c o n s t r u c t e d a stack of ABA reports in the three years I've been pre- Luddites (ie lacking an email address) may have noticed it senting Media Wat c h but this is probably the silliest so far". already in their Inbox. Media Watch 1/11, The Australian 4/11 Basically, it ’ s a compilation of a series of head- lines, some of them with hyperlinks, on the latest news about the ABC.

The easiest way to subscribe to the FABC Bulletin is to join the FABCList.

To do this, send an e-mail to [email protected] with SUBSCRIBE as the only entry in the Subject line and your full name and phone number in the body of the e-mail. Peter Thompson is leaving RN Breakfast after two years. If at any stage you don’t wish to receive these Bulletins simply reply to your e-mail and write PETER THOMPSON TO LEAVE RN BREAKFAS T SHOW "U n s u b s c r i b e Bulletin" in the subject line. Peter has been attempting to negotiate “a more sustain- able workload” recently but "budgetary restraints were For those rusted-on Update readers who prefer the going to limit the possibilities". The show will now go into printed word, we’ll reproduce the best of the Bulletin in 2005 without an executive producer or a presenter. every issue of Update. SMH The Guide 8/11 BEST OF THE FABC BULLETIN ABC EXECS DOING WELL The best-paid director, assumed to be Russell Balding, made $385K in 2003 and $495K in 2004, a 28.6% rise. Other directors, like TV's Sandra Levy, made $318K in 2003 and $430K in 2004, an increase of 35%. The ABC staff unions say employee wages and salaries have dropped by 1.4%. (The Australian 11/11) BBC MAY LOSE HALF ITS STAFF BBC insiders say Geraldine Doogue : drastic re-structuring may be announced within weeks. Saturday morning show? Director-General Mark Thompson, who took over the job RADIO NATIONAL'S SATURDAY MORNING LINEUP in June, is expected to make the cuts as a result of four of Asia Pacific Highlights, The Buzz, Earthbeat and T h e enquiries into commercial activities, regionalisation, cost- Comfort Zone could be replaced by a single "flow" pro- cutting and production and commissioning. gram hosted by Geraldine Doogue. (London Evening Standard 10/11) The Australian, 4/11

Page 5 OUR ABC: A DYING CULT U R E ? Martin Harrison is a former ABC occasional player at the risky, radio arts broadcaster, now a poet exciting end of town. and critic who teaches at the UTS. My essay is, in many ways, a Ultimately, my view is that those plea for the ABC to renew its of us interested in art and media will Here he provides Update readers acknowledged creative energy, to have to sidestep the problematic, with a summary of his provocative move with the times and to revive a underfunded world of public broad- critique on the ABC’s approach to core debate, about its key function in casting. arts and drama programming. relation to the creative arts. There is an evolving debate in While it is hard to define precisely That is one reason why, I suggest the arts community about the arts, – or, indeed, briefly – what that cre- the development of a national media public media and the ABC, exempli- ative, initiating role of a public broad- arts endowment. fied by decisions such as the recent caster is, it seems fairly clear that slashing of ABC Radio’s internation- the ABC is regrettably relinquishing This endowment, acting as a ally acclaimed new music program , its role as a major creative 'maker' in source of project funding, would The Listening Room. Australian arts. seek to be innovative, and it would not tie projects to the ABC or a single My recent essay, Our ABC: A Variations would have to be made media platform. Dying Culture addresses this to that statement if we looked across In reality, it may well be a few debate. But it also responds to a the total range of ABC productions yea r s before such proposals can sense, overwhelmingly apparent in any given year. gain a he a r ing in the current political whenever you switch on Channel 2, cl i m a t e. that there has been a lapse or loss But, at heart, that sense of the ABC as a cutting edge production of direction at ABC TV where both Martin Harrison’s latest book is a drama and arts programming are collection of essays about Australian concerned. culture, contemporary poetry and I am by no means alone in notic- creative practice, Who Wants to ing a marked lack of new TV pro- Create Australia? (Halstead Press). grams in the arts area or that, at the time, Fireflies was the sole local His essay, 'Our ABC' A Dying drama offering. Culture? is available from Currency House and bookshops. There is little sense, too, of antici- pation about great new offerings to To subscribe to Platform Papers, come. see the website www.currency- house.org.au or email to: I am not the only one to notice [email protected]. that there has been a huge reduc- tion in the amount of money avail- able for commissioning new work in radio – in drama, in sound work, in Platform Papers: Our ABC: new composition, in literary review, A Dying Culture? in experimental work. house-- working across TV and radio I had hoped the essay would act drama, new music composition, as a reminder. innovative feature making, new ideas about art, experimental sound-art I did not want it just to be a and innovative documentary-making- reminder of what have been the -has given way to the ABC we most- AB C ' s past achievements or its repu- ly have now: a middle-of-the-road, tation for quality and innovat i v e driv e. politically dumbed-down commen- Rather, I wanted the essay to be ta t o r , a purveyor and reviewer of a reminder about some of the cur- ac c re d i t e d , mostly already estab- Have a wonderful rent challenges and opportunities for lished ideas about art, literature and the art world, and only an Christmas and creative programming. a great 2005 from the Friends of the ABC Committee.

Page 6 was refusing to release any of the THE YEAR AHEAD THE YEAR THAT WAS reports as they would result in the disclosure of trade secrets to the Update charts the peaks and Australia US Free Trade detriment of Rehame. a media moni- Agreement comes into force on Jan troughs of 2004 and looks ahead for toring company) the ABC in 2005. 1. Australian content in new forms of media will not be protected. The Federal Government contin- THE HIGHS ues jurisdiction–shopping with its Government review of the ‘ade- bias complaints against AM over its quacy and efficiency’ of the ABC’s coverage of the Iraq War. David Marr use of its funding as set out in the describes the latest leaked ABA Liberal Party election policy. The report on the Alston files as probably review is ‘to ensure that the ABC is the silliest report he’s read in his using its funding to its greatest three years at Media Watch. potential.’ Angela Catterns knocks the ABC staff unions report bullying ABC prepares submissions for Parrot of his perch. (It was only one is on the rise in a number of ABC the next round of triennium funding survey and we really don’t care ab o u t workplaces. for 2006-2009 ratings… but how sweet it was ! ) (Are these last two items related?) ABC TV refuses to cross live to Australian Story. From Wendy the Prime Minister’s press confer- 1 July 2005. The Coalition takes Whitley and Hazel Hawke to Ivan ence announcing the election; then control of the Senate. Milat and Gyuto monks, this superb broadcasts the election debate at program continues to unearth won- 10pm instead of live. A new set of faces on the ABC derful and diverse tales about us. Board.The terms of Professor Judith ABC Enterprises refuses to Sloan and Ross McLean ended in Media Watch. Reveals ABA licence ABC file footage of Peter 2004. head’s David Flint obsequious corre- Reith to a documentary maker. spondence with Alan Jones ahead of Another Board member Maurice the Cash for Comment inquiry. - Conservative columnists Gerard Newman resigned, while John Henderson (despite all that ABC air Gallagher QC’s term expires this Strictly Dancing on Friday time he gets), Frank Devine and co. month. Leith Boully’s time is up later nights do their best to perpetuate the bias in 2005. myth. Angels in America – quality The Chairman, Donald international drama ABC’s annual report shows only McDonald’s term expires in July ABC Radio coverage of the 48% of programs between 6am and 2006. Athens Olympics. Live and sweaty midnight last year were Australian, (unlike the TV coverage.) compared with 58 per cent in 2001.

The return of Kath & Kim. For Spending of nearly $1 million on some of us, this is a documentary. consultants.

The Movie Show moves to the ABC

THE LOWS

Coalition Government rejects ABC application for extra funding for Australian drama and an all- Australian digital channel for kids Cartoon courtesy ABC Board buckles and pays local FABC $200,000 to Rehame to monitor Illawarra broadcasts for bias. member (At time of publication the ABC Alan Mackay

Page 7 FUNDING FIASCO THE RO OT CAUSE "Bloomin’ Outrage!” screamed The options mooted to fill the Despite being a successful the headline in the Hobart Mercury, shortfall in production in Hobart are regional program since 1990, at the ABC’s decision to move pro- two studio-based shows, one on col- Gardening Australia (6:30pm Fridays) duction of the proudly-Tasmanian lectibles, the other on alternative never received a cent from the NII. (It Gardening Australia program to medicine. wasn’t a new program.) Melbourne. That’s a significant downgrade By contrast George Negus The phrase captures perfectly the from the high production values of Tonight (6:30 Mon-Thu) and its pre- clamour surrounding two particularly Gardening Australia. decessor Dimensions, were pro- controversial programming changes duced in Melbourne, but were still by Our ABC since the last issue of Politicians from all sides have funded out of the NII money. Update. weighed in, from members of the GNT occasionally goes on the state government to government road and includes a broad range of The transplanting of Gardening ministers such as Tasmanian Liberal colour pieces from all parts of Australia from Hobart to Melbourne Senator Eric Abetz, who’s called for Australia – but it is still based in and the axing of George Negus an inquiry into the alleged Melbourne. Tonight have caused a torrent of ma n i p u l a t i o n of National Interest complaint. Initiative (NII) funds. It’s worth noting that there’s a ne w round of triennial funding looming Thousands of angry viewers have ABC MD Russell Balding has for 2006-2009. jammed ABC switchboards around hotly denied that allegation. But the country to voice their displea- those involved in the dispute say The ABC Board, despite being sure. managers told them directly that this hand-picked by the Prime Minister, was indeed the case. have been spectacularly unsuccess- That anger has been further ful in winning any extra funding for fuelled by accusations that the only So why is the ABC pushing the Corporation. ahead with these changes? reason for the changes is that the The NII funding was one of Jonathon Shier’s few achievements. The prospects for any increases in funding seem slim.

The ABC barely rated a men- tion during the great election spend-a-thon.

Earlier this year the ABC was also knocked back when it asked for money for more local drama and an all-Australian children’s digital TV channel.

In such a climate, it’s understand- able that the ABC’s bean-counters would be somewhat sensitive about Peter Cundall and Gardening Australia staff confront ABC TV's Denise anything criticism that might give the Eriksen government an excuse to tamper with NII funding. ABC wants to re-route misdirected Tangled Web of N.I.I. Funding federal funding meant for regional Since 2001-2002 the Coalition On October the 28th, manage- programming. has provided the ABC with $17.8 mil- ment rang in the changes. There lion in funding a year for what was would be new national programs for Angry Tasmanians originally called National Interest the 6:30 slot Monday to Friday. Angry ABC production staff in Initiatives. Hobart and local Friends of the ABC No details on what sort of pro- turned out in force as the executive It was meant to be for new grams they’d be, just that they’d be responsible for overseeing the regional programming. When he produced in Queensland, WA, SA, changes, Denise Eriksen, flew down announced it then-Minister Senator and of course Tasmania to explain the situation in early Alston said the funds ‘should November. enable the ABC to increase local production and programming in regional Australia significantly.’ Page 8 BEHIND PROGRAM CHANGES Gardening Australia would be kudos for the extra cash.That meant The Coalition has already shuffled back to 6pm on Saturdays – launching new regional programs promised another inquiry into the a slot usually reserved for re-runs of even if that meant sacrificing existing ‘adequacy and efficiency’ of the British comedies or netball – and regional programs…” ABC’s use of its funding. production moved to Melbourne. ABC Section Secretary Graeme So what lessons should the The ABC Section of CPSU, the Thomson said the situation under- Government really take out of this union responsible for ABC produc- lined another long-held concern: fracas? It should be obvious… “We've always complained 1.The overall level of ABC funding is about tied funding because it pro- so tight that it’s unsustainable. duces bad programming deci- 2. Tied funding doesn’t work . It distorts sions.” programming decisions, often to the For all the denials though, detriment of successful programs. Balding didn’t give a detailed There’s something Senator Abetz deconstruction as to why two and his colleagues can do if they’re plainly successful shows were genuine in their concerns about pro- being chopped and changed, grams like Gardening Australia. other than ‘a more effective use of ABC resources.’ They can push Peter Costello and the Prime Minister to reach into Sound Editorial Reasoning ’ their deep pockets and scatter some Balding issued a furious more funding in the direction of the denial. He said it was ‘false’ that AB C. the ABC had made programming Until that happens and adequate decisions based on funding con- levels of funding are restored to the siderations. ABC, any pronouncements on pro- gramming by members of this gov- He called claims that the ABC ernment are just a load of fertiliser. had ‘mismanaged’ and ‘manipu- lated’ NII funding ‘palpably A special website has been set untrue,’and he said that the up for those who want to support CPSU’s suggestion that the ABC Gardening Australia staff plans to replace GNT with new ww w. c p s u . o r g . a u / c a m p a i g n s / G A . programming because there had It allows visitors to send protest been a 'misuse' of the NII funds emails to the ABC and local MPs. was ‘arrant nonsense.’ Or you can write directly to protest against programming Tasmanians sign petitions to protest He went on to insist that the changes. against transplanting Gardening Australia ABC had made its decision based on ‘sound editorial reasoning.’ Russell Balding, tion staff, smelled a rat. It told its Managing Director, members: More Funding is the Answer c/- ABC, GPO Box 9994 “Despite the absolute require- Senator Abetz has asked in your capital city. ment for the ABC to be independent, Communications Minister Helen Declaration: The Editor of Update Russell Balding, the ABC Board and Coonan to look into whether regional is an employee of the CPSU senior management apparently funding is actually going to areas for Community and Public Sector Union decided that the Federal which it’s intended. I am also a former ABC employee. Government needs to get some

WINDFALL FOR ABC EXECUTIVES Continued from Page 1 According to the Annual Report the highest paid director -- assumed to be Managing Director Russell Balding -- earned $385,000 in 2003 and $495,000 in 2004. That’s a pay rise of $110,000 or 28.6%. His directors, who include television director Sandra Levy, news director John Cameron and radio director Sue Howard, earned $317,632 in 2003 and $430,132 in 2004.That’s an increase of 35% and over $112,500. 81 senior executives also received performance bonuses totalling $382,312, an average of $4720. Page 9 Brickbats & Bouquets VALUE FOR

An easy way to send your brickbats MONEY and bouquets to ABC Management is to telephone 02 9333 5566 and have AT THE BBC your thoughts rec o r ded. There’s a climate of fear and The BBC’s Director General loathing at the BBC, as rumours fly Mark Thompson says the rumours 'Comments are monitored daily and about a pending budget review.The are “simply preposterous.” Britain’s ref e r r ed to management.' recommendations of the so-called National Union of Journalists is Value For Money review won’t be threatening strike action to defend Or you can write to The ABC known until the 7th of December. jobs and the future of the corpora- National Advisory Council. However the British press has car- tion as a public broadcaster. ried leaks suggesting anything The role of the Council, under between 6000 and 14000 jobs The Guardian Section 11 of the ABC Act, could go. That’s in a workforce of is 'either on its own initiative or at 28,000. the request of the Board, to furni s h advice to the Board on matters rel a t i n g to broadcasting programs and televi- Anyone who’s caught Robert sion programs of the Corporation.' HOUNDING FOX Greenwald’s excellent documentary The American website Outfoxed would find it hard to dis- National Advisory Council MoveOn.org has lodged a com- agree. c/o Manager Government and plaint with the US Federal Trade Community Affa i r s Commission about Fox News’ use MoveOn.org is joined in its cam- Box 9994 GPO Sydney 2001 of the trademark 'Fair and paign by the independent non-profit Phone 02) 9333 5310 Balanced.' MoveOn.org says the news service, AlterNet, and the Fax 02) 9333 5305 trademark is deceptive and mis- lobby group, Common Cause. E-mail: [email protected]" leading, and as false advertising, in Supporters are being asked to vol- Or visit their Internet site: breach of the US First Amendment. unteer 10 hours a month for one ww w .abc.net.au/corp/nac year to organisations working for media reform and accountability. Or you can write to the Staff Elected Member of the ABC Board. Ramona Koval is the staff elected ABC Board SPIN-DOCTOR me m b e r . When ABC Publicity broke the news of the changes at Gardening If you have an issue that you think Australia and George Negus req u i r es the ABC Board's attention send it to Ramona. Cundall was quoted in the Hobart Ramona Koval Mercury saying he was concerned AB C for the futures of program staff in PO Box 9994 Tasmania who’d worked hard to MELBOURNE. VIC 3001 make his program, "extremely good, successful and popular." Fax 02) 9333 5305 Crikey’s media columnist Terry Television also pointed out that the ABC was being selective in its com- parison of GNT’s ratings, comparing them to previous British comedies Tonight, it did so with a press not the show’s predecessor, release titled, "Good News for Dimensions. Regional Australia." Media commentary on the Claims that Peter Cundall was release has ranged from ‘daffy’ to "delighted" and that GNT’s ratings ‘utter stupidity.’ hadn’t really improved quickly unravelled under scrutiny.

Page 10 BIAS MONITORING: IS SBS THE AT WHAT COST? NEW ABC? Peter Reid, a former executive producer of Four Corners During the recent AGM one Friend pointed out to and former head of ABC TV current affairs programs wrote Sandra Levy that SBS was running a lot of docu- on this subject in The Australian on the 11th of November. mentaries one would normally expect to see on the Here’s a short extract. ABC.

Hypothetical performance indicator of ABC news and Recent innovative and comprehensive productions current affairs coverage in the future: Prone to creeping self- that contribute to a sense of national identity include censorship, particularly during election campaigns. Some John Safran vs God, The Food Lovers Guide To A u s t r a l i a , interviews, especially with senior politicians, tend to be Fine Line, Everyone Loves a We d d i n g , just to name a bland and sanitised rather than incisive and hard-nosed. A once-resolute spirit of inquiry and challenge in tackling con- few. tentious issues risks lapsing into inordinate caution and It was a theme that Mick O’Regan from Radio compliance. National’s The Media Report also visited in his pro- gram on the 4th of November this year. Over the top? No way, according to some ABC journal- ists and program-makers perturbed by the corporation's controversial move to subject its news and current affairs He asked SBS’s Head of Television Shaun Brown programs to intensified external monitoring for potential bias (a Kiwi) how he saw the role SBS played in the in coverage of federal and state election campaigns. They broader media. warn that increased vetting by hired firms risks inhibiting Brown said: "I think SBS needs to… dramatically ABC political reporting, to the detriment of public trust in the increase the amount of Australian content…" national broadcaster's editorial credibility.

Newsroom disquiet surfaced after expanded monitoring "…our Charter says that we’re obliged to reflect of ABC political reporting was outsourced to the private sec- A u s t r a l i a ’s multicultural society, not reflect the world to tor in May during the protracted lead-up to the federal elec- Australia, and I don’t see how I can do that unless I start tion campaign, following Coalition complaints about alleged making more Australian programs which are relevant to partiality in the ABC's Iraq war coverage. Australian audiences, and speak to the multicultural experience of A u s t r a l i a . " For much of this year interviews, reportage and visual footage of election-related events and issues have been meticulously checked for possible bias and imbalance in IS LANDLINE NEXT FOR THE CHOP? ABC TV's 7pm news and current affairs programs The 7.30 Not long after the news about Gardening Australia Report, Lateline, Four Corners and Stateline, and the radio and George Negus Tonight rumours that Landline programs AM, PM and The World Today. would be cut back to half-an-hour also began bubbling to the surface. Most news and current affairs journalists, according to editorial sources, knew nothing about the decision to The very suggestion has caused a stampede of increase scrutiny until ABC TV's Media Watch revealed that protest among a host of rural interest groups from the extended monitoring of programs had been commissioned, National Farmers Federation on down. unannounced by senior management to staff at the time, starting after the May budget. Agriculture Minister Warren Truss also fired off a let- ter to Russell Balding, saying any decision to cut The cash-strapped ABC hasn't yet disclosed total moni- Landline back to half an hour would be “out of touch toring expenditure, apart from a $200,000 initial budget; the with rural Australia, and ignorant of the significance of extended monitoring period means that the cost could be agriculture to all Australians.” higher. “I call upon the ABC to ensure the Landline pro- The Australian, 11 November 2004 gram has the resources necessary to ensure that its quality format, presentation and content can be main- tained.” WHAT WOULD $200,000 BUY AT THE As we’ve pointed out elsewhere in Update, Mr Truss ABC TODAY? and his government colleagues are in a unique posi- tion to do something about programming cuts. 4 to 12 minutes Australian drama or miniseries 5.6 junior journalists on a salary of $35,354 Try reaching into your wallets! As a senior 24 minutes Australian studio-based drama Queensland National Party MP Mr Truss has more 40% of Russell Balding’s salary influence on the situation than most others, as his 6677 copies of Enough Rope 2 (the paperback, not Party now controls the majority in the Senate. the series!) So stop whingeing Warren and start negotiating!

Page 11 2005 EVENTS ABC EFFICIENCY REVIEW NSW FRIENDS The Federal Government needs look no further than the seminal work of the ANU’s Professor Glenn Withers if it wants to have yet another inquiry into the subject of ABC efficiency.

His research has found the ABC is not 11th of February 2005 only more cost effective than its commercial John Highfield will give a talk counterparts in Australia, but it also has a on his 40 year career in lower overall public expenditure share and the ABC and commercial broadcasting expenditure per capita per day than its pub- Pennant Hills Uniting Church lic broadcasting counterparts, the CBC and cnr Boundary Rd and Bellamy St. BBC. Pennant Hills Further details are available at For more information, http://friendsoftheabc.org please contact Jason on 9489 1420.

At Least One... (or two or three) Ask a friend, relative, business associate or n e i g h b o u r to join the Friends of the ABC. E ve ry person who joins makes the Friends a more effe c t i ve organisation when it presents v i ews to gove rn m e n t. Members also receive a 10% discount when buying items in ABC Shops. Please use the application form on the back cover.

BTN IS BACK when asked by U p d a t e whether she was the one who performed the last rites on B T N in the first p l a c e . Now for the good news…the late and much lamented education program, Behind the News, w i l l The ABC is promising a ‘new updated youth-ori- return to ABC TV in 2005. ABC Managing Director ented series’ to be produced in Adelaide and Russell Balding broke the news on the 12th of broadcast on Tuesdays at 11.30am and repeated O c t o b e r. at 11am on Wednesdays. We’re sure U p d a t e r e a d e r s will join us in warmly welcoming back B T N a n d In performing the resurrection he gave ABC T V wishing all those working on the program ‘many chief Sandra Levy all the credit, saying B T N w a s happy returns.’ back due to ‘cost savings and efficiencies identi- fied and delivered by the Director of Te l e v i s i o n . ’

While not wishing to seem churlish, it’s worth pointing out that at this year’s Friends AGM Sandra Levy said ‘It’s not a personality game’

Page 12 FORMER CHIEFJUDGE THE ABC CHARTER WARNS ABC AT When we consider any programming changes RISK OF PRIVATISATION at the ABC, it’s worth referring reminding our- selves of Part (1) of the ABC Charter. The former Chief Justice of the Family Court, Alastair Nicholson has told the Friends of the ABC in Victoria to be (1) The functions of the Corporation are: wary of attempts to privatise the ABC. Speaking at the Victorian Friends AGM in Melbourne on (a) to provide within Australia innovative the 12th of November, Mr Nicholson said privatisation was and comprehensive broadcasting services of not unthinkable. a high standard as part of the Australian broadcasting system consisting of national, However he said it was more likely the ABC would first commercial and public sectors and, without lim- be commercialised, and later sold to private interests. iting the generality of the foregoing, to provide:

Mr Nicholson warned there was a campaign by some (i) broadcasting programs that con- government ministers to destroy the ABC, which he tribute to a sense of national identity and described as the last bastion of truly independent media in inform and entertain, and reflect the cultural Australia. diversity of the Australian community; and (ii) broadcasting programs of an educa- He said the sale of the ABC into private hands was "a tional nature; truly appalling prospect" and its destruction would be a blow for democracy in Australia. (b) to transmit to countries outside Australia "From a purely political point of view, the Howard govern- broadcasting programs of news, current affairs, ment would regard itself as advantaged by the demise of entertainment and cultural enrichment that will: the ABC," Mr Nicholson said. (i) encourage awareness of Australia and an international understanding of Australian "That would remove at one stroke the most significant attitudes on world affairs; and source of independent comment about the performance of (ii) enable Australian citizens living or the government in Australia." travelling outside Australia to obtain information about Australian affairs and Australian attitudes "It would enable the government to exercise unparalleled on world affairs; dominance over the electronic media and effectively silence criticism without acting overtly to do so." and, "The consequences for democracy in this country would encourage and promote the musi- be catastrophic." (c) to cal, dramatic and other performing arts in Mr Nicholson said he expected there would be more Australia. compliant appointments to the board of the ABC now the Howard government had been re-elected, adding that sup- porters of the ABC could also expect "a continuation of the SNAIL MAIL IS BEST sort of financial attrition that has occurred since 1996". It is our experience that for maximum impact Mr Nicholson called on the government to clarify its snail mail is the best way to get notice taken. E- future intentions for the ABC, and urged supporters of the mails are quick but can be lost and/or ignored just national broadcaster to lobby individual MPs. as quickly. Faxes are also convenient but you can- not always be sure they are treated appropriately. He said control of the Senate had given the govern- Letters that arrive by Royal Mail are treated ment the power to act as it more reverently. Most large establishments eg, a pleases to "reform" the ABC. Minister’s office or the ABC log all incoming post in a registry and keep track of progress, ensuring Mr Nicholson also despaired appropriate follow-up. So put a stamp on it! for the future of the commercial print and electronic media, Another way to increase impact is to neatly which he said had become hand write your letters. Again it is easy to jump on concentrated in the hands of a typewriter (old fashioned computer) and bash too few proprietors. out a letter. But, that is how 99.9% of all corre- spondence is received. AAP / The Age Do you treat a handwritten letter as more per- former Chief Justice of the sonal? Most people do! Give it a go! Family Court, Alastair Nicholson

Page 13 September. All candidates were sent BRANCH NEWS a question before the event. This NSW dates in the three electorates. asked whether they thought the ABC The Friends held their annual stall Replies were received from Joanna could meet its Charter obligations at at the Newtown Festival on the 14th Gash MP (Lib – Gilmore), Sharon current funding levels. of November.The stall was busy as Bird (ALP – Cunnigham), the The sitting member Peter Andren usual, and the Friends were ably Greens’ Ben van der Wijngaart turned up, as did the Nationals, assisted by some bright young things (Gilmore) and Michael Organ Labor, the Greens, and Family First. from Pymble Ladies College (see (Cunningham) and Megan Pikett (ALP – Gilmore.) The Liberal didn’t show and later Jason Lowe photo.page 15) complained that he didn’t get enough CENTRAL COAST Two paid colour advertisements notice! were placed. One in the free news- The forum attracted a crowd of 75 The end of year function organ- paper the Advertiser on the and received good coverage on ABC ised by the Central Coast branch Wednesday before the poll and Central West radio and got a big featured James Valentine who hosts another in the Illawarra Mercury on write up in the Central Western Daily. the 1.00pm to 3.00pm slot on 702 the Friday before. Posters received Looking ahead to 2005, the Orange each week day. James has had a from FABC NSW were also distributed Friends have already booked their varied career history through radio, in Wollongong and the Kiama area. place for the city’s annual Food television and writing and has recent- Jan Kent Affair. ly sold a science-fiction trilogy to a Bev Holland US publisher and is the process of NORTHERN RIVERS selling the film rights to a Los PARRAMATTA Angeles production house. Despite having two Committee Entertainment was provided by members in hospital and another two The Parramatta Friends held a Krystel Keller, a local recording artist overseas, the Branch put in a big Meet the Candidates Forum at and Garry Lowe, prominent bush poet. effort to put the ABC on the agenda Parramatta Town Hall on the 30th of September. Our first meeting for 2005 will be for the election.. our AGM on 14 February, 2.00pm - Nine candidates were present, 4.00pm at the Central Coast Acting president Doug Myler dis- with the Liberals the only party not Leagues Club, Gosford. All members tributed numerous flyers in the represented and sitting member Lismore area, Jill Keogh and Jenny are invited. John Hale. Ross Cameron conspicuous by his Coman arranged for an ad in the absence. All candidates spoke of GREAT LAKES Byron Shire Echo. The Branch also- their strong support for an indepen- placed ABC election policies and dent and adequately funded ABC, The Branch is still recovering personal statements from candidates and were passionate on the need for from Grahame Burns’ scoop inter- on the branch web site. an alternative source of information view with Andrew Denton. A Friends In the final analysis, National and news to commercial networks. event with Geraldine Doogue was Party member Ian Causley was re- scheduled for October, but has had Guest speaker was recently elected in the marginal seat of Page. to rescheduled for early 2005. retired journalist and broadcaster Grahame Burns In the marginal seat of Richmond, John Highfield, who entertained and Larry Anthony lost his seat to Justine informed the committed audience of HUNTER Elliott (ALP). ABC supporters, giving some indica- tion of the pressure under which The Hunter Friends took out two Both members had given person- ABC journalists now operate. ads in the Port Stephens Examiner al statements supporting the ABC. prior to the election, and members Green preferences were a significant A footnote to the meeting is the handed out FABC pamphlets at factor in the electorate and they were fact that Parramatta was one of the Raymond Terrace and Port Stephens very supportive of the ABC. very few seats where a swing was the weekend before polling day. recorded against the government to Members remain very concerned the extent that Ross Cameron was Now the dust has settled Hunter about changes to the local content removed, and replaced by the ALP’s Branch is going on a membership rules associated with the FTA and Julie Owens. Mal Hewitt drive. A soon-to-be-issued note to any changes to the ABC's indepen- members will encourage them to dence and funding as a result of the give their friends a terrific Christmas coalition gaining control of the NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: Holding a Friends event? Don’t gift – their own FABC membership! Senate. Neville Jennings forget your camera! We love your Allan Thomas ORANGE photos and we want to include as ILLAWARRA many of them as possible in future The Orange Friends held their issues of U p d a t e . Illawarra Friends drafted a ques- Meet The Candidates forum at Orange tionnaire and sent it to nine candi- Senior Citizens Centre on the 29th of

Page 14 FRIENDS HAD A STALL AT THE POPULAR What is FABClist? NEWTOWN FESTIVAL The NSW Branch of the Friends has an e-mail list for use by members with e-mail. FABClist is like a commu- nity notice board. Anyone can pin-up a notice (e-mail) and everybody in the Friends community (e-mailers who ‘subscribe’ to the list) can read the notice (by e- mail).The ‘subscription’ is free!

To join the List, send an e-mail to [email protected] with SUBSCRIBE as the only entry in the Subject line and your full name and phone number in the body of the e-mail.

To join the List Digest (sent Friday afternoon), send an e-mail to [email protected] The Friends stall at the busy Newtown Festival with SUBSCRIBE DIGEST as the only entry in the Subject line and your full name and phone number in the body of the e-mail.

Of course, you can ‘unsubscribe’ from the list at any- time.

If you want more detail call the FABCList Moderator Chris. Cartledge on 02) 4226 2323.

FABC (NSW) Inc. Executive Committee President - Gary Cook Phone: 9810 3358 Fax 9144 1351

Treasurer James Buchanan Phone 9371 5621 email [email protected] Secretary - Janet Crennan Some of our wonderful volunteers at the Phone 9810 1758 Newtown Festival email: [email protected] Membership Secretary - Carolyn Green Phone 9144 1351 or 0417 650 443 [email protected] Update Editor: Alison Rahill Phone 02 8204 6906 [email protected]

update Print Post Approved PP 245059/00002 U p d a t e is published four times a year by Friends of the ABC NSW, P.O. Box 1391, North Sydney 2059. Phone 9810 3358 Fax 9144 1351 To become a member phone 9990 0600 or visit our web site at: ww w. f a b c n s w. o r g . a u / Extracts from newspapers and other publications appearing in U p d a t e do not necessarily reflect members' views. U p d a t e goes to all members of FABC (NSW) Inc., as part of the membership fee. U p d a t e is also supplied to journalists, politicians and libraries across Australia. It is produced and edited in Sydney but contributions are welcome from NSW country and inter- state branches. Material may be freely quoted or reproduced from the newsletter provided the source is acknowledged and reproduction is sent to FAB C ’ s President Gary Cook, Editor Alison Rahill, Layout, format and assembly Irwin Kurtz. Un a t t r i b u t e d text is by the editor. email: fa b c n s w @ f a b c n s w. o r g . a u FABC Update Post The Editor C/–FABC Update PO Box 1391 North Sydney NSW 2059

Page 15 State and regional branches of Friends of the AB C New South Wal e s Central Coast Or a n g e Gary Cook John Hale Bev Holland AC T PO Box 1391 21 Stephenson Rd. 26 Sunny South Crescent Jill Greenwell North Sydney 2059 Bateau Bay 2261 Orange NSW 2800 GPO Box 2625 Ph: 9810 3358 Ph: 4333 8107 Ph: 6362 4744 Canberra A C T2 6 0 1 Fax: 9144 1351 jh a l e @ t a c . c o m . a u be v h o l l a n d @ a a p t . n e t . a u Ph: 6253 3531 jg r e e n w e l l @ o z e m a i l . c o m . a u fa b c n s w @ f a b c n s w. o r g . a u Eastern Suburbs Pa r r a m a t t a Nizza Siano (Secretary) Mal Hewitt Al b u r y 31 Queen St, Granville 2142 South Au s t r a l i a Jim Saleeba 16 Holland Rd Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 Ph: 9637 2900 Joan Laing 621 Lindsay Ave . Phone / Fax 9327 3423 ma l a n d a l @ o p t u s n e t . c o m . a u P.O. Box 1758 Albury 2640 si a n o @ t p g . c o m . a u Hutt St, (02) 6021 5690 Port Macquarie/ Adelaide SA 50 0 0 sa l e e b a @ a l b u r y. n e t . a u Eu r o b o d a l l a Mid North Coast Ph/Fax 08 8271 0751 Keith Simmons Drusi Megget jl a i n g @ i n t e r n o d e . o n . n e t Ar m i d a l e 1/29 Mathew Pde. PO Box 1752 Priscilla Connor Batehaven 2536 Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Western Au s t r a l i a 41 Judith Street Ph. 4472 9898 Ph: 02 6583 8798 Roger Raven Armidale NSW 2350 dr u s i @ f e l g l o w. c o m . a u PO Box 179 Ph: 6772 3454 or 6772 2217 Great Lakes Darlington, WA 60 7 0 vs h e r w e l l @ y a h o o . c o m . a u Audrey Semon (Secretary) Vic t o r i a Phone: (08) 9370 1785 P.O. Box 871 Friends of the ABC (Vic ) [email protected] Ba t h u r s t Forster 2428 Norah Tay l o r PO Box 2103 Ph: 6554 8507 St Kilda West VIC 3182 Tas m a n i a 254 Keppel St au d r e y _ s 1 @ t s n . c c To be advised Bathurst 2795 Ph: 03 9682 0073 fa b c v i c @ v i c n e t . n e t . a u Ph: 6331 1273 Il l a w a r r a Northern Territory [email protected] Jan Kent (Secretary) Qu e e n s l a n d Brian Holm Friends of the ABC Illawarra Be g a Don Sinnamon PO Box 25 Alec Bacon, PO Box 336,Unanderra 2526 Suite 14B1 Howard Springs NT 08 3 5 25 Surf Circle, Phone/Fax: 4271 3531 7/421 Brunswick St Ph: (08) 8983 1251 Tura Beach 2548 ja n k e n t @ b i g p o n d . c o m Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Fax: (08) 8941 3350 Ph: 6495 9029 Ph 0405 721 617 Mob: 0409 831 251 Ne w c a s t l e al e c a n d n e l l a @ d o d o . c o m . a u do n . s i n n a m o n @ a p h . g o v. a u ab c f r i e n d s _ n t @ w e - w o n t - Hank Wil l e m s by t e . c o m Blue Mountains c/ PO Box 265 Gold Coast John Derum Merewether 2291 Frances E. Rolls National Resource Centre P.O . Box 469 gs t r u c k @ o p t u s n e t . c o m . a u PO Box 342 Darce Cassidy Springwood 2777 Nerang QLD 4211 Northern Rivers ww w. f r i e n d s o f t h e a b c . o r g Ph: 4758 6979 Ph: (07) 5596 3835 jo h n d e r u m @ b i g p o n d . c o m Neville Jennings fr o l l s @ f a n . n e t . a u PO Box 167 Alstonville 2477 fr a c a s a u @ y a h o o . c o m . a u Ph/Fax: 6674 3830 (H) nj e n n i n g @ s c u . e d u . a u Membership form Please fill out the form below and return it with your payment to: The Tre a s u r e r , Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. Use only if joining or if your membership has expired. PO Box 1391, North Sydney NSW 2059. Na m e Em a i l :

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