Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. quarterly newsletter June 2010 Vol 18, No.2 UPDATEincorporating Background Briefing friends of the abc

‘Why Is It So?’ segments on ABC TV in the 60s and 70s, his furious RECOGNITION for eyebrows being almost as disconcerting as his Yankee accent. But both were unashamedly didactic an ABC SCIENCE teachers on air. Peter did something quite different. He established science journalism, the need to cover all aspects of scientific research, BROADCASTING invariably with a proper infusion of showbiz. I first met him in March 1972. I had by Robyn Williams PIONEER been sent over by Humphrey Fisher, who then ran TV Features at the ABC – including some of its science. Peter was in his fourth floor office at the top of William Street in Sydney, within the pink limits of the King’s Cross Red Light District. After hours a flamboyant line of hookers and trannies did business outside the building. There was a car showroom on the ground floor. By contrast Peter

continued on page 4. inside From the President 2 Letter to the Editor 4 Peter Pockley's description of the first moon landing 5 ABC TV cancels plans to broadcast documentry on the Prof Kurt Lambeck, President, Australian Academy of Science, Governor General Quentin Bryce, Isreali-Palestinian Conflict 6 Peter Pockley. Has the ABC’s Success put It in Danger? 7 here are rarely true ‘firsts’. Neil consequence in Australia, but he has Lessons from the BBC 8 Armstrong was first to set foot been, in all likelihood, the greatest News for parrots 10 Ton the moon (as far as we can pioneer. Crosbie Morrison, the natural tell!); Mark Oliphant was the first historian, presented many programs ABC gets into bed with Fairfax President of our Academy of Science before and after World War Two for ... and news is the winner 11 and Suzanne Cory is the first woman what was then The Australian Mark Scott responds to the to be so elected – even so late as 2010! Broadcasting Commission. Julius ABC’s Critics. 12 Peter Pockley was not exactly the Sumner Miller was a famous, finger- Branch News 14 first science broadcaster of any wagging, starry-eyed performer of

Page 1 Update Publication Information

Update is published four times a year by Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. (FABC), From The President PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059. Printpost approved PP245059/00002 riends of the ABC warmly the documentary is pro-peace rather To become a member phone (02) 9990 0600 or email to congratulates pioneering science than pro-Palestinian, taking testimony [email protected] Fbroadcaster Peter Pockley on the from Israelis and Palestinians or access our website high honour bestowed on him expressing their hopes and aspirations www.fabcnsw.org.au. recently by the Australian Academy of for peace in the region. My inquiry to Extracts from newspapers and other Science – the award of its medal. Mark Scott for further information publications appearing in Update do not Robyn Williams, current writer and produced the following reply from necessarily reflect the views of the members of FABC. presenter of The Science Show has Michael Millett, ABC Communications Update is distributed to all members of written a wonderful tribute to Peter Director: FABC, as part of the membership fee. and the vital work that he did in “I am able to confirm that ABC TV Update is also supplied to journalists, placing the ABC Science Unit at the politicians and libraries across Australia. was uneasy with the partisan nature of forefront of science broadcasting It is edited and produced in Sydney but the documentary, and its inability at contributions are welcome from NSW country throughout the world, and we are that time to find something to and interstate branches. reminded of his memorable live counterbalance (see Editorial Policy – Material may be quoted or reproduced broadcast in 1969 of the first landing The ABC is committed to impartiality from Update provided the source is on the moon. The Governor General, acknowledged and reproduction is sent to and must demonstrate this through the the President FABC. Quentin Bryce, presented Peter with presentation of a diversity of his medal, and spoke of the pivotal Would you like to receive Update perspectives. This requires a diversity of role that he played in educating us all magazine electronically? perspectives to be demonstrated across about science. Save the planet's trees and The Friends a network or platform by providing printing and postage costs and read Update magazine on your computer. THE CHALLENGE OF BALANCED content of a similar type and weight in Each quarter, when Update is published, you REPORTING of the ISRAELI/ an appropriate time-frame.) ABC TV is will receive an email with a link to the latest PALESTINIAN CONFLICT now reviewing the initial rejection to issue (each magazine is around 0.5MB). see whether it can find something to You can try this now by going to our Joan Michie, a former editor of air as a counter balance.” website at www.fabcnsw.org.au and “News and Views”, the predecessor of clicking on Update. Update, has expressed her concern at There is no doubt that the Israeli If you prefer this delivery option for future government has an array of well- Updates please send an email to the the inadequacies of the process Membership Secretary. whereby complaints against the ABC’s trained spokespersons, and unlimited resources, instantly available to put the Who to write… coverage of a particular issue are Israeli government point of view on Anyone seeking basic information about investigated by the Independent writing to persons of influence might find it Complaints Review Panel (see her any matter. I write this late on the helpful to go to the FABC NSW website letter in the March Update.) Joan’s night we learned of the Israeli army www.fabc.org.au where there are some attack, in international waters, on the menu items under "Be Active" leading to original complaint concerned lack of pages of information: Who can I write to? balance in the ABC’s coverage of the relief convoy taking food medical What can I say? Gaza conflict in December 2008/ supplies to Gaza. Predictably, there was January 2009, mainly the failure to the well-prepared Israeli Government FABC (NSW) Executive Committee representative putting their version of Office Bearers adequately cover the Palestinian events to Kerry O’Brien on the 7.30 President - Mal Hewitt viewpoint. The full text of the I.C.R.P. Phone: 9637 2900 report may be found on the FABC Report, but where was the interview Email: [email protected] website, along with Joan Michie’s with a spokesperson for the other side? Secretary & Treasurer - James Buchanan reply. A perusal of this It was surely a situation which Phone: 9371 5621 correspondence does suggest that the demanded that we hear both sides, and Email: [email protected] process is unsatisfactory in its current absurd to imagine that such a Membership Secretary - Angela Williamson form, and rather substantiates Joan’s representative could not have been Phone: 9416 4463 Email: [email protected] concern. found. Update Editor - Mal Hewitt Andrew Pike, Managing Director of It was Joan Michie’s complaint PO Box 1391 N. Sydney NSW 2059 Ronin Films, an Australian company regarding coverage of the Gaza conflict Email: [email protected] based in Canberra, writes in this that too often we only heard the Israeli Cartoonist - Phil Somerville edition of Update of the withdrawal point of view. Roger Raven, reporting Editorial Cartoonist for The Sun Herald (Sydney) by the ABC of a formal offer to elsewhere in this Update, refers to the [email protected] acquire and (presumably) broadcast a 2006 study of the BBC’s Middle-Eastern Layout Artist - Paul Martens documentary about the Palestinian coverage – “it had a pro-Israeli bias, [email protected] situation, “Hope in a Slingshot”. partly because it was naturally easier to Andrew puts a very strong case that get interviews and moving pictures Membership Line: 9990 0600

Page 2 from the dominant side; indeed the answer questions from the audience. whether talking to government, the BBC later did a secret deal with Israel Always entertaining and informative, broader community, media rivals or for access in return for BBC you are treated to a sumptuous the international community, and we compliance with Israeli censorship.” afternoon tea as well. Further details appreciate that he has taken the time We would like to think that our may be found in the advertisement in to contribute to the debate in national broadcaster took a more this edition of Update. Update. balanced approach than the BBC, but As the Federal Government lurches MARK SCOTT REPLIES I think that the jury is still out on towards another election, it is clear that! The ABC Managing Director has that the National Broadcasting written a wide-ranging reply to many Legislation Amendment Bill is going ANOTHER BLUE MOUNTANS of the questions and criticisms on nowhere, although this is more the FABC FORUM recent ABC decisions and directions fault of the Opposition and Senator I urge all FABC members to cancel which have been expressed in Update Fielding than Mr. Rudd’s Labor any previous commitments on and the opinion pages of the daily Government. Should the government Sunday 27th June, and make your press. Mark makes the strong point retain power and control the Senate way to Wentworth Falls School of that the ABC is not a niche (even with the help of the Greens), Arts, where the incredibly energetic broadcaster – quite clearly its charter we will have the long-awaited change Blue Mountains Branch is holding is to serve the whole population of to the method of appointing the ABC another of their wonderful winter Australia, in all its social and Board, and the restoration of the forums on the topic “The ABC’s Role geographic diversity. Whilst agreeing staff-elected director. Should Mr. in Australia’s Governance.” These to differ with the Managing Director Rudd lose, there is little hope of this annual events in the mountains on a number of issues (including the reform ever taking place. Consider attract some fascinating speakers, and axing of The Religion Report!), NSW that as you consider which party will the 2010 Forum is no exception – Pru Friends of the ABC acknowledges that receive your vote. Goward, Robert Manne and Kerry the ABC has a passionate and Mal Hewitt Chikarovski will discuss the topic, and powerful advocate in Mark Scott, FABC NSW President

FRIENDS OF THE ABC – BLUE MOUNTAINS SPEAKERS’ FORUM FOLLOWED BY AFTERNOON TEA The ABC’s Role in Australia’s Governance

2PM SUNDAY JUNE 27 AT THE SCHOOL OF ARTS, WENTWORTH FALLS

Speakers: Compere: Neil Inall OAM Pru Goward – Liberal MP for Goulburn Tickets ($15.00 each) are available for purchase Robert Manne – Professor of Political Science, at Megalong Books (Leura), The Turning Page La Trobe University (Springwood) and Glee Books (Blackheath) Kerry Chikarovski – Director, Infrastructure and Or contact: Bob Macadam 4754 1620 Planning Australia Pty Ltd Warren Nicholls 4739 3185

Audience participation and discussion will be encouraged

Page 3 RECOGNITION for an ABC departments, like leading science outfits, are founded on top minds and SCIENCE BROADCASTING creativity. In Bill Gates’s words: you PIONEER hire the best you can find and let Letter to them do what they want. This is continued from page 1. always tricky with Head Office. the Editor Mutterings about “smartarses” and Pockley was the embodiment of “who do they think they are?” came Oxonian elegance, dark-eyed (as the Re. ABC Chairman – from the more sporty or rural newspapers duly noted) and wearing traditions of Broadcast House. Peter letting the global kit that nicely registered his history Pockley was gone soon after I settled warming sceptics half-way between the quad and the in. This was the early 1970s. have their say. smoother parts of the BBC. He had been I have been following both the trained at the Beeb on science and the politics of global warming for over 30 years. The his way home from a problem is that, like most of the job teaching chemistry Australian population, the at a posh school in majority of ABC journalists are England. not experts on the science. The I wrongly inferred a so-called sceptics who privileged upbringing – challenge the peer-reviewed Geelong Grammar, science are therefore not Melbourne U. and properly questioned when giving interviews. Much of the Balliol. He was a information provided by the scholarship lad and had skeptics is, when examined in earned his every step detail, found to be either along the way. Unlike contradictory, based in so many of the languid misinformation or a manipulation toffs I had known at of the peer-reviewed data. the BBC, this was not a Peter Pockley receives the Australian Acadamy of Science’s Medal How can it be possible that fellow who assumed from the Governor General. anybody can believe that the any divine rights. But sceptics are not getting airplay? Peter did, and always has, made it his He went to The University of NSW, When the sceptics speak out, it business to keep in contact with the then found a spot at UTS to set up a is front page. When their data is higher echelons of the professions fore-runner of what is now the put to the test and found to be and government. Perhaps that is why resoundingly successful Australian incorrect, it is on page 7 or not he is always so immediately Science Media Centre in Adelaide – mentioned. This is not a tirade suspicious of interlopers and spivs. run by the very person, Susannah against the ABC not getting it right on an issue. It is about the The ABC Science Unit I discovered Eliott, he appointed back then to help principles by which the ABC is in 1972, which he had established in him – then started to write for what governed. 1964, was packed with brains. The became the Australasian Science Obviously, not everyone can Executive Producer was John Challis, Magazine, as well as doing many be a scientific expert. I find it with his PhD from the Vatican and a reports for ABC Radio. hard to forgive the Chairman of charmingly adroit way of cutting It was during this latter period that the Board, not because he does through sloppy thinking. Robin Peter gave some of the newer faces on not understand the debate Hughes was there (Margaret Throsby’s the science scene a hard time, not better than the average sister-in-law), the youngest producer least those astonishingly well- Australian or journalist, but ever hired by BBC Third Programme endowed spruikers at CSIRO whose because he did not do his and who would go on to run Film homework before speaking out. background in the cigarette industry Australia and the Film and Television What he is really saying is: perplexed many of us. He was utterly School. Max Bourke had just left the ignore the facts, ignore the true unrelenting, and, ultimately, Unit to join CSIRO, and was soon to debate, and dumb down the successful in seeing them off. ABC. That I cannot forgive, and become adviser to the first Minister He has now also built up a Mr. Newman is not worthy to for Science, Bill Morrison – and then continue in his position as CEO of The Australia Council. formidable archive of recorded Chairman. He is guilty of Michael Daley was there, a New biographical interviews with leading playing hard politics when he is Zealander of robust flair and researchers for the National Library, supposed to be exemplary in formidable drinking habits (he’d providing a record of achievement for his neutrality. make Christopher Hitchens look all Australians to consult. Gus Sharpe ascetic!) whose journalism set On presenting Peter Pockley with Murrumbateman, NSW standards internationally. the Academy’s medal the Governor Peter knew that great radio and TV General, Quentin Bryce, spoke of his

Page 4 record in setting up a special Science It set up links to sister organisations twenty pages will do; nor take issue Unit in the ABC and for doing those all over the world which we still with one villain when they may all be thrillingly evocative broadcasts in enjoy today. This is something Peter vanquished. But his record and 1969 as Armstrong and Aldrin walked Pockley pioneered, when it really commitment to science has been on the moon. mattered, nearly fifty years ago. unswerving. Hence, one of the Australian Academy of Science’s Why have a specialist unit? Because He may be someone who will never highest honours, its medal – is so there are so many topics which elude write a single page memo when the mainline news and current affairs thoroughly deserved. programs – there is more to science than dinosaur finds, cancer ‘breakthroughs’ and space disasters. Non specialists also tend to over- emphasise the information fix and ‘debate’ elements. The more you are Peter Pockley's familiar with scientific ideas the more you know how to dispense with the description of the techno-chat and the false dichotomies. There are few leading scientists who first moon landing really think HIV isn’t connected to AIDS or who question the main ABC Science Show, 8th May 2010 adequate to get back up. It's a pretty good little jump. findings on climate change. Science Peter Pockley was founding head of Units are also able to mount intriguing ABC Science in the 1960s and early Peter Pockley: He's checking his specials on topics you never dreamt 1970s. In fact he pulled the strings to step, checking his balance on the step, might be worth your time: one of the create The Science Show and ABC moving down slowly and steadily. first Peter had me helping to edit was 's Science Unit. In July Martin Royal has joined us for this description of the space walk. a feature by him recorded in PNG; 1969 Peter was commentator and another was on the biology of radio host bringing description of the Neil Armstrong: I'm at the foot of the first lunar landing to Australian radio coral reefs. ladder. The LM foot beds are only listeners. The Australian Academy of depressed in the surface about one or Peter also insisted we go beyond the Science awarded Peter the Academy two inches, although the surface standard confines of our home Medal in 2010 which acknowledges an appears to be very, very fine-grained as highbrow network and even of regular outstanding contribution to science by you get close to it. It's almost like a programs. In May 1972 one of my first means other than the conduct of powder. It's very fine. tasks was to build up research and scientific research. Martin Royal: We can certainly see then help with broadcasts around Robyn Williams: So do you think the one of the lunar boots moving Apollo 16 (then, later, the last Apollo Moon landings were also faked? Peter downwards, just how far down it's not mission, No. 17, in December) when Pockley doesn't. And, as the Governor quite apparent. How many steps are we went to air at all times of day and General said at the start of this there, Peter? night on ABC metro stations breaking program, it was Peter's broadcasts at the time, 40 years ago, that made the Peter Pockley: I think there are nine into regular shows with live updates, landing so compelling. He won the steps, I think he takes 11 movements exchanging excited chat with DJs and Medal of the Australian Academy of altogether before actually stepping on chat shows as if it were the most Science this week, congratulations the lunar soil. There's the boot again, natural thing in the world. We even again. And also heartfelt thanks for waving out in space as he feels around mounted the ABC’s first phone-ins. Frank Meany for our recordings of the awkwardly. One hand on the ladder... Peter’s remit: have mike, will travel; in Academy celebrations in Canberra on Neil Armstrong: It's one small step for science there are no limits, in radio or Thursday. Production for this Science man, one giant leap for mankind. Show by Charlie McCune and David TV – or, especially, culturally. Peter Pockley: One small step for man, Fisher. And this is how Peter Pockley That set of definitions, way back Armstrong says. described the Moon landings way then, have been the basis for ABC back then: Neil Armstrong: The surface is fine Science ever since. This was not a and powdery, I can kick it up loosely Peter Pockley: There's some boffiny enclave handing out privileged with my toe. movement now occurring, some info de haute en bas. It was a testing movement of Armstrong. Martin Royal: He's got a foot on the ground and melting pot for all manner powder. NASA transmission, Houston: Okay of enterprising broadcasters from Matt Neil, we can see you coming down the Peter Pockley: Neil Armstrong... Peacock and to Richard ladder now. Neil Armstrong: ...adheres in fine Aedy and Kirsten Garrett. It enabled Peter Pockley: He's moving down the layers, like powdered charcoal, to the hundreds of those outside the ABC to ladder. His face onto the ladder. sole and sides of my boot. present shows, from the legendary Dr Peter Pockley: Neil Armstrong has set Earle Hackett (who became chairman Neil Armstrong: Okay. I just checked foot on the Moon. of the ABC, no less), to Peter Mason, getting back up to that first step. It didn't collapse too far. But it's Frank Talbot, Mac Burnet, Gus Nossal, and Derek Denton.

Page 5 ABC TV CANCELS PLANS TO BROADCAST DOCUMENTARY ON THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

he ABC has withdrawn a and contradicts the ABC’s Tformal offer it made to Ronin own routine programming Films to acquire a documentary decisions. called HOPE IN A SLINGSHOT, Israeli military objectives by Australian filmmaker, Inka routinely dominate our Stafrace. The offer was accepted mainstream mass media by Ronin, but was later coverage of the conflict. cancelled by the ABC on the Yet, in the words of grounds that the documentary the filmmaker, Inka was, in the words of the Head Stafrace, “If any article of Television, Kim Dalton, or news grab of “an opinion program” about violence in the region a “contentious” subject and fails to mention the that it conflicted with the occupation, it is ABC’s policy of fundamentally un- “impartiality”, as required balanced”. The Palestinians by Clause 6.6.3 of the have only limited independent ABC’s Editorial Policy. media access to the West, unlike the Dalton stated that the powerful influence of the Israeli ABC was unable to find government’s press office. The very another program that showing of HOPE IN A SLINGSHOT balanced the views would provide an opportunity to expressed in the film. contribute to the “balancing” of This cancellation is dominant media reports on the of concern for several conflict in this country. reasons. The film is an exploration of The film has received many the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and expressions of support. Dr Jake Lynch, makes a pro-peace statement, strongly Director of the Centre for Peace and and refreshingly expressed. It is Conflict Studies at the University of personally narrated by the filmmaker Sydney, and a member of the and she shares her experiences within Advisory Board of the Sydney Peace the conflict zone. The film was Foundation, makes the following independently produced and self- comment: HOPE IN A SLINGSHOT is funded, although small amounts of “extremely impressive. ... A signal marketing money were donated by contribution to peaceful media both the Jewish and Palestinian representation of this conflict”. communities in Australia. Left: Inka Stafrace, Director and Producer. The Australian Teachers of Media The film focuses on the details, Right: Andrew Pike, Director of Ronin Films. (ATOM) have prepared a study guide particularly the human costs, of the for HOPE IN A SLINGSHOT, intended occupation of Palestine by Israel. It is The ABC’s policy, as stated by Kim for use in secondary schools. This not a case against Israel, the Israeli Dalton, suggests that a pro-war film guide provides further opportunity for people or the Jewish community. The would need to be presented to the issues raised by the film to be bulk of the film expresses the thoughts balance this pro-peace film, but such discussed and analysed. of human rights activists (both Israeli a policy would logically require a pro- Clearly the ABC is afraid of some and Palestinian) who live in the region government film to be shown every form of political repercussion if it as they discuss the realities of the time any film about revolutionaries is were to show HOPE IN A SLINGSHOT. situation in the West Bank. aired. The call for balance defies logic The cancellation of the broadcast

Page 6 highlights the need to have a national television network which is truly independent in terms of its editorial content. Whether the ABC’s fear of backlash is a threat coming from government or from the HAS THE ABC’S community, our national broadcaster should not be subject to intimidation of this nature. Senior management should be able SUCCESS PUT to stand by the decisions of qualified and experienced ABC staff who are making informed assessments of programs offered to them. It also IT IN DANGER? seems that it would be good business practice for senior management to Certainly Mark Thompson has honour agreements made by their ack in 1998 Australian recently become more cautious, and staff in the course of the professional media has scaled back some of the BBC’s conduct of their work. B academic Jock expansion plans. Mark Scott, on the Interestingly, while the free Given wrote in his other hand, is pushing ahead, expression of political opinion (such book The Death of particularly with his efforts to secure as anti-war arguments in the Israeli- Broadcasting – the contract for the international Palestinian conflict) seem to be Media’s Digital news channel for the ABC. Future: inhibited in ABC television, the Darce Cassidy The self-interest of the commercial same constraints do not seem to No one talks much broadcasters in attempting to apply to radio: a pro-peace of the death of Australian commercial diminish the BBC and the ABC is programme recently aired on ABC’s broadcasting at the moment … If obvious. It is hard to believe Greg Radio National. there is a discourse of death it is the Baxter, corporate affairs spokesman ABC’s,hammered by funding cuts and for News Ltd in Australia when he Finally, it should be noted that limited additional funds for the says “''I can't remember us ever “balance” is an inherently transition to digital broadcasting. arguing about [ABC] funding.” Sir problematic concept. “Balance” Keith Murdoch (Rupert’s father) ran a How things have changed in twelve implies that there are only two sides successful campaign to persuade the years. Both the BBC and the ABC to any story, yet in the case of the Menzies government to cut the ABC have made the new digital media budget by 16% and fought long and complicated Israeli-Palestinian work for them, not against them. Now hard to prevent the ABC running a conflict, there are infinitely more the complaint is that the public news service that might compete viewpoints than just two. broadcasters, particularly the ABC with his newspapers. What we need from our national and the BBC, are too successful. broadcaster are programs that There is now a concerted campaign, fearlessly challenge and provoke spearheaded internationally by the Murdoch press, and backed up in debate. The ABC’s policy of Australia by the Fairfax/Rural Press Has the ABC maintaining “balance” on group, to cut public broadcasting “contentious” issues runs the risk of back. (and most of the halting dialogue and censoring innovative points of view rather This could be a dangerous time for rest of the media) the ABC and the BBC. Both have than stimulating them, as it so worked well to integrate the old been putting less clearly has done with HOPE IN A technologies of radio and television resources into SLINGSHOT. The Australian public with the new digital technologies. should have access to the film. Our They have been so successful with investigative understanding of the Israeli- this that the commercial sector is Palestinian conflict calls for the film starting to blame public broadcasting journalism? to be shown. for its own failures. However the problems of commercial broadcasters are mostly due to the breakdown of Dr Andrew Pike, OAM the mass advertising model. While the motives of the Director, Ronin Films commercial? media are clear, and their Have the two Marks (Mark Scott of 24 May 2010 sincerity suspect, a legitimate the ABC and Mark Thompson of the question remains -is Mark Scott in BBC) been too expansionist? In danger of stretching the ABC’s challenging the dominance of the Note: DVDs of HOPE IN A limited resources too far? SLINGSHOT are available from commercial media, have they stuck their necks out too far? continued overleaf... Ronin Films (www.roninfilms.com.au)

Page 7 ...continued from previous page. The ABC not only has new digital TV channels , and new Lessons digital radio networks (so far simply simulcasting the AM and FM services) but it is also expanding its services to regional from radio audiences. Much of this has come without additional funding. In the news and current affairs area how much effort is going into the fundamentals (finding things the out) and how much effort is going into “re-purposing” – re-working the same information for a different medium (radio, television, internet), but without adding substantially to Roger Raven, Former President, the content? WA FABC, has just returned from Has the ABC (and most of the the UK, and provides the following rest of the media) been putting comments on the recent BBC less resources into investigative experience, relating it to our own journalism? Has the breadth of the public broadcaster. ABC’s output has been growing, Since the BBC was some big while its depth has been the model for the changes shrinking? It is hard to find firm ABC, this article is occurred. evidence, but it seems to me that about BBC BBC there is less real investigative developments in Governors were journalism. the context of replaced by a Two recent programs lead me to implications for BBC Trust to which think that the ABC is starting to Our ABC. Indeed, is subordinated an take this criticism on board. the BBC and Our ABC seem to share Executive Board. It The first is Kerry O’Brien’s well many challenges, funding, bias, decided to close some researched and tightly argued populism, role, management issues, programmes and interviews with Kevin Rudd and independence, and atomisation of the deliberately withdraw from Tony Abbot. I’ve not seen him do media and of the audience being some areas of legitimate better. It was a model of how the some. But as with the ABC, its public broadcasting. Powerful ABC should hold politicians up to mission remains to inform, educate British political forces, such as the scrutiny in an election year. and entertain. Tories backed by Murdoch and others, seek to build on those successes to The second is the collaboration One of the BBC’s strengths was between the ABC and the Age on observed by Donald McDonald further degrade the BBC. the Securancy bribery scandal (previous ABC Chair) to be that Indeed, the BBC managing director covered by Four Corners. Many “ … [the BBC], by our standards, is criticised the ABC managing director’s other media outlets gave this story rich beyond the dreams of avarice. To view that a public broadcaster should cursory treatment. Both serve a population 3 times ours, the not be expected to prop up failing government and opposition BBC has nearly eleven times our corporate models – which shows the seemed happy to brush things funding. It can afford to take Mr BBC does know the ABC exists. under the carpet. However the Murdoch and all comers head on. We Both assure all and sundry that they ABC and the Age, by pooling can't, and nobody wants us to.” are focussed on delivering better value resources, produced some very In 2008-09, the BBC earned roughly for money, on news and children's effective investigative journalism. £4,606 million ($8,080 million at May programmes, about harnessing The trick will be to maintain the ’10 exchange rates), 75% of which technology to creativity, talent to new standard set recently by Kerry was from the annually increasing ideas, workplace flexibility, etc. O’Brien and Four Corners. licence fee. For the ABC in 2008-09, Certainly they are typically leaders in However the ABC faces other the total appropriation was $1,082 the new media technologies. challenges than the need to million. Both are committed in effect to pursue stories in depth. Breadth However, the BBC, too, has its flogging-out and to a lesser degree also remains a necessity. problems. Though there was little flogging-off, even though doing so doubt that the BBC would be able to consistently means higher cost and have its Charter extended to 2016, lower quality.

Page 8 Both are well aware of the need to access in return for BBC compliance journalism at Our ABC. Recall (the keep public support, and frequently with Israeli censorship, rather like current Chairman) Newman's and quote from favourable ratings surveys. many Australian media (current managing director) Scott's It is also a protection against their organisations do with the police. tantrums and vindictiveness over frequent reviews. Typically being to Indeed, the BBC has so far spent the Chaser issue, and Newman’s serve political or populist pressures of £200,000 to suppress the apparently championing of the global warming the day, each review is carried out as similar Balen report of 2004. A 2006 skeptics – Newman was reportedly though their many predecessors had report by Media Tenor examined the (and rightly) censured by several never been. TV coverage of the pre-Iraq-invasion staff. There is very little good science on the side of the global warming Both tend to be defensive regarding period of 2003 by some of the skeptics, but much political power. accusations of bias, not so much on world's leading broadcasters. The the merits, but because powerful most biased was the BBC, which So there remains a need for groups use even the most threadbare gave just 2% of its coverage to organisations like VLV in Britain and accusation of bias for political attacks opposition views - views that the Friends here to campaign for our designed not to end bias but to represented the majority of the ideal of an excellent and ensure bias in their favour. In 2004, British people. independent public broadcaster. the BBC faced the 2004 Hutton Both are doing better than those That, for FABCs, is a more complex Report, of which David Marr wrote: media supported fully or in part by and less glamorous task than when we were dealing with ideological “A great cloud hangs over public advertising. Here, the Minister zealots. “Getting more members”, broadcasting in Britain since Lord recently saw the need to make a gift for instance, is a useless exercise of more than $200 million in licence Hutton's trial and sentencing of the unless doing so increases FABC fee rebates over three years for the BBC. Yet for the journalist at the assertiveness. The article above is commercial TV networks. Naturally centre of the fuss, Andrew Gilligan, intended to take us a little further there was no such untied funding it's been a great week, as more that way. evidence emerged that his story for the ABC. [accusing the Blair government of In some respects the BBC seems to knowing the pre-Iraq-invasion have been less successful in handling “intelligence” was dodgy] was these challenges than the ABC; to essentially correct.“ reply to the snippet from Donald In the same year, and for McDonald, the BBC might be able to the same political reasons, the take on the likes of Rupert, but it then Minister for (meaning its most senior management) doesn’t want to. Communications Senator Alston Instead of a politically driven launched his 68 (some were dismemberment, the ABC’s Board dropped, others added) complaints, structure has been substantially Check of which David Marr said: depoliticised. Unlike Tony Blair, “I've had to read a stack of ABA Senator Conroy is at least officially reports in the three years I've been out our and for the moment defending our presenting Media Watch but this is public broadcaster against self- probably the silliest so far. It's a not interested attack. Successive ABC Website! a bad result for Richard Alston. Sure, MDs advertising of their two thirds of his dossier has now willingness to prostitute the ABC • Want information on the been rejected a third time, but after have – for now – been reasonably latest issues? all these months of investigation by successful, without abnormal God knows how many lawyers and damage to the ABC. • Need a printable officials, he's managed to score 24 No doubt we can expect the ABC membership application? hits on the ABC. But … Not for the to pursue a BBC3 (apparently a • Current and past issues of first time in our experience, the ABA youth oriented realism TV channel Update? has shown it doesn't really know with an idealistic tinge, to keep hold how journalism works. “ of those who lacking a TARDIS to • Who to write to? While the BBC now claims to want escape Childrens’ BBC TV). to be the best media source in the Much of the ABC’s good Go to: world, the 2006 study into the journalism is due to what former www.fabcnsw.org.au impartiality of the BBC’s coverage of ABC Board Member, IPA supporter, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict found and Murdoch columnist Janet Or check out the National Portal that it had a pro-Israeli bias, partly Albrechtsen would call “staff- (links to all states): because it was naturally easier to get capture”. We have the staff rather www.friendsoftheabc.org.au interviews and moving pictures from than the most senior management the dominant side; indeed, the BBC to thank for what is usually good, later did a secret deal with Israel for and occasionally truly excellent,

Page 9 NEWS FOR PARROTS Darce Cassidy

Georgina Born, the author of fragmentation of audiences was in Good evening. Here is the news for Uncertain Vision: Birt, Dyke and the danger of threatening the need for parrots. No parrots were involved in an Reinvention of the BBC, in conversation unification. accident on the M1 today, when a lorry with Gerald Tooth on Radio We need a universal public system carrying high-octane fuel was in a National’s Media Report, explained because it mirrors our political system, collision with a bollard – that is a the critical role of public service the Federal political system. We need a BOLLARD and not a PARROT. broadcasters in in the development of space in which all those micro publics A spokesman for parrots said he was public opinion in the U.K: can talk to the majority, and the majority glad no parrots were involved. The … really, until the advent of national can be expected to listen. And only mass Minister of Technology (photo of minister radio in the ‘20s and growing into the channels provide that kind of universal with parrot on his shoulder) today met ‘thirties, there is no such thing as a space, not that for example the the three Russian leaders (cut to national public, and no such thing as a newspaper market is more and more photograph of Brezhnev, Podgomy and Kosygin all in a group and each with a national culture to speak of. There were segmented as well. parrot on his shoulder) to discuss a $4 various sorts of bands of elite publics [or Put simply, while specialist services million airline deal ….(cut back to sub-cultures], and there was of course a for sub-cultures – parrots, stamp narrator) None of them went in the cage, growing labour movement and working collectors or cricket fanatics- are or swung on the little wooden trapeze, or class identity. But the creation of this important, so is a national forum in ate any of the nice millet seed yum, yum. pan-class, truly national body of opinion, which we can all take part. That’s the end of the news. depended on broadcasting’s arrival. It’s a Ken Inglis, in the second volume of very powerful argument, and I think its Monty Pythons Flying Circus Episode 20. his history of the ABC, made a similar intimate links with the growth of mass point: democracy and universal suffrage are s the ABC introduces additional crucial. All in all it is likely that viewers and radio and TV channels and listeners in the digital age will become While the BBC, and the ABC, have additional Internet services, even more reliant on public broadcasters A played a key role in establishing a without a corresponding increase in for electronic representation of their universal public sphere that is budget there is a danger that quality nation’s character, and the human necessary for effective democracy, will be diluted, breadth will be condition. …There is plenty of life yet in their representation of the national preferred to depth. the adage about the ABC and its culture has often been, in Georgina equivalents elsewhere, that they address It is not just a matter of the Internet Born’s words “flattening, monolithic their audiences as citizens, not consumers. making so many channels available, and homogeneous”. National but new digital radio and digital broadcasters need to be “responsive to That is why it is important that television channels look like they will new groups in society, to the diversity, Mark Scott pursues his aim for the add further to the fragmentation of the heterogeneity, to ABC to be a town square where not audiences. multiculturalism, to indigenous only are all welcome, but also where The dilemma for public broadcasters peoples’ voices and so on” all are comfortable. like the ABC is whether to be a However Professor Born was critical specialist broadcaster, a generalist of some Australian academics who she Narrator: And while that’s going on, here is broadcaster, or try to be both. said had over emphasised the need to the news for gibbons. No gibbons were involved today in an accident on the M1… British anthropologist Professor represent diversity to the point that

Page 10 ABC gets into bed with Fairfax ... and news is the winner

Margaret Simons writes: while they have had some impact, as So is this the way of the future? McKenzie himself said to me yesterday, McKenzie thinks it might be. The Crikey 25 May 2010 "it was nothing compared to the media internet has altered the news cycle, he fest that began yesterday morning, says, meaning that gaining audience Australian Wheat Board, when the ABC began to use its cross and impact is more important than Four Corners, Securency media resources to promote the in keeping a scoop to yourself. International, The Age depth Four Corners investigation". "The speed of the news cycle means The Securency story is also part of a that an exclusive is only exclusive for Once, journalists shift at the ABC. I have been among about three seconds now," he says. guarded their stories those who have previously accused the With ABC budgets tight, and fiercely, and the idea national broadcaster of not breaking of competing with newspapers effectively fighting for their enough stories. One of the replies lives, joint ventures can be one way of another media outlet, coming from within the organisation has let alone doing a joint getting important journalism done, and been that the Auntie does break stories, out there. operation, would have but that it hasn’t been good enough at been anathema. Things have changed. acknowledging that across the But the arrangements depend on Yesterday, last night and this morning organisation, and using its resources to similar editorial cultures, relationships of we are seeing the results of an cross promote and follow up. trust between individual reporters investigative story conducted as a joint operation between The Age and the ABC's Four Corners. It is a ripping yarn about an arm of the Reserve Bank, the polymer note manufacturer Securency International. The scandal was described with some justice on last night’s Four Corners as potentially Australia’s most serious case of corruption since the Australian Wheat Board affair. So how does such a story come to be researched as a joint venture by Fairfax and the ABC? And in a time of stressed newsrooms and editorial budgets, are we likely to see more of this? Perhaps. In this case, the joint venture is the result of a particular set of personal relationships, brokered and facilitated by key executives in both media organisations, who clearly have the worth of the journalism as a central This is part of the larger story of an across organisations, and the good will motivation. organisation often at war with itself, with and public spiritedness of media The lead reporter on the case is Nick almost as many factions as there are executives. McKenzie, formerly of the ABC and now microphones. In recent months, there This time, it all came together. Now working for The Age, but retaining all his has been a concerted effort to break even News Limited, which previously ABC contacts. McKenzie has taken down those walls and act strategically unpaid leave from The Age to fill in at to maximise the effect of breaking news. ran dead on the issue, is on to the story. It can no longer be ignored, and will not Four Corners on a couple of occasions So it was that yesterday morning ABC in recent years. go away until questions are answered listeners woke to news bulletins that and allegations investigated. The joint project was brokered by effectively previewed the Four Corners McKenzie, but made possible through scoop. Opening Fairfax newspapers, News organisations are becoming the co-operation of Age senior deputy they then read even more on the story. more porous, it seems. And getting the editor Mark Baker, and like-minded Four Corners screened, and then today news out there can be a matter of people at the ABC. Fairfax newspapers have followed up. collaboration -- with colleagues and with the audience -- as much as McKenzie and Age reporter Richard As a result a story previously confined competition. Baker have been chipping away at to one media organisation is now a top Securency for more than a year, and story throughout the nation. Interesting times.

Page 11 MARK SCOTT RESPONDS to the ABC’s Critics.

The Managing Director of the the recent Commonwealth looking to the future for the public ABC has provided Update with Broadcasting Association Conference. broadcaster, I am a liberal, a the following article, which is As I indicated in that speech, the progressive. based on his recent address to lightning speed with which new Being both conservative and the Commonwealth Broadcasting technology is being developed and progressive means there’s equal Association in South Africa. adopted, the flow-on effects of opportunity forcriticism from both There’s been vigorous debate changing consumer behaviour and sides. If it seems like a contradiction, recently about the role of the expectations and disruptions to the it’s one that will enable to the ABC to ABC – particularly around our business models for delivery news, prosper and survive. As Tancredi said in latest innovations such as ABC3, information and entertainment are The Leopard "If we want things to stay ABC Open and ABC News 24. presenting the ABC with big challenges. as they are, things will have to change." see this debate as an Change that would once have Let me explain why I am a acknowledgement of how occurred within the span of a conservative on some matters Iimportant the ABC is to Australia’s generation is now experienced in the involving the ABC. The Charter and cultural and civic life. Inevitably of space of a few years. Act that came with the transformation course, some of our critics have either of the ABC into a Corporation in 1983 misunderstood or misrepresented our set out a number of principles that motives. The argument govern our operations. However I’m in no doubt that the seems to be because Considering these were enacted a ABC is, in all its new activities, acting Pay offers specialist year before the birth of the inventor of just as the public broadcaster should - Facebook, those principles remain in the interests of the public. content, the ABC remarkably robust and relevant to this Friends of the ABC are likely to be should not. The digital era. far more familiar with the ABC Act logical conclusion and the Charter than most. The Act to this would be the Let me highlight three key principles places certain obligations upon us, and derived from that enabling legislation they are particularly relevant to the ABC’s exclusion that are driving strategy for the future digital age. from television of the ABC. Among them is a demand that we be altogether. The first principle is that the ABC is innovative, and that we ensure we’re not a niche broadcaster. The Charter providing maximum benefit to the asks that we provide content of wide Australian people. This environment makes us seriously appeal and content that is specialist in consider what we are delivering and Every move the ABC makes is nature. how we deliver it. As public checked against these founding Consequently, we look to engage not broadcasters reliant on the trust and documents, to ensure that we are only with small communities of financial support of the public, we meeting the responsiblities they interest but to also bring the nation look at what services we are uniquely impose both in letter and in spirit. We together around content that will positioned to provide, what our place do not expand for expansion’s sake. in the marketplace is and how we generate critical mass. And I’m proud to see how well the ourselves must change in response to So ratings do matter to us, but they ABC is living up to the Charter and changes that are all around us. are not the only thing that matters. In the Act, and that we see these From time to time in Australia there the heart of prime time, we deliver obligations as opportunities to build is debate about the ABC’s need to be programs on science and religion, arts an ABC that’s going to remain fair, balanced and impartial. Well, programs, specialist documentaries, absolutely integral to Australian life in when considering the role of the ABC serious news and analysis that would the future. in Australian life, I am firmly a never get a run on commercial free-to- I was invited to speak about this at conservative. At the same time, air television.

Page 12 We have a radio network, Radio cultural life would be poorer for this. audience needs, and whether it National, which devotes most of its James Murdoch in last year’s represents a good investment of airtime to specialist content. MacTaggart lecture gave us News taxpayers’ money. The ABC’s strength then, as now, Corporation’s Head Office view on With the possible exception of came from the diversity of content - this. Attacking the BBC, Mr Murdoch financial journalism, investment in both specialist and of wide appeal. said public sector broadcasters should quality news - international, Some of our TV programs can attract vacate key areas of service to let the investigative, detailed analytical 25 percent of the free-to-air audience. market be satisfied by private sector reporting - has always been subsidised. Others struggle for a quarter of that. corporations. Through classified advertising, or Our Local Radio network can generate Naturally, there have been echoes benevolent proprietors, or funding four times the audience of some of our and minor variations on that line from through public broadcasting - valued specialist radio networks. services the market cannot support But together, side-by-side, these directly on its own, have nevertheless constitute a strong and credible ABC In looking for been provided. experience that both meets audience answers, it’s The cross-subsidy of quality needs and has significant impact on important to hold Murdoch publications like The Times Australian thinking, imagination and tight to what is of London and The Australian has culture. been well-documented. working, what has By being a broadcaster for all In an Australian context, the demise Australians and part of the experience delivered and of most of the long-time media barons of all Australians, a connection with continues to deliver. and family ownership structures the Australian people has been created around media organisations has and it has continued across inevitably led commercial broadcasters generations. This connection has been some of News Corporations branch to first reduce the priority given to, key to our ongoing financial support offices and investments in Australia – and then reduce investment in, serious from Canberra. particularly the pay-TV sector. news and current affairs. It means that on content such as They argued against the ABC The evidence is strongest in radio news and current affairs, like our offering a children’s channel because and in regional areas, but also in the popular authentically local radio Pay offers channels for children. They major television networks. network, the ABC has become a place argued against an ABC news channel If the product doesn’t deliver profits, where Australians come together to because Pay offers news channels. commercial investors must first slash listen to one another, to assess and The argument seems to be because costs, then investment, then simply discuss the great issues of the day. Pay offers specialist content, the ABC walk away. They carry no overarching A shared space for the nation. A should not. The logical conclusion to commitment to journalism as a public commons in an increasingly this would be the ABC’s exclusion good, as something inherently fragmented world. from television altogether. Leaving it necessary in a society with responsible to the market to provide. Whether popular or specialist, what government and accountable public the ABC delivers is trusted, distinctive This is a wilful misreading of the and private institutions. Their brief is and of quality. And Australians turn to ABC’s Charter obligation to take to maximise the return to the ABC confident that they will find account of what is being offered in the shareholders. That is their content that embodies these values, market. responsibility and our systems of that has passed the test of quality and Taking account of the commercial corporate governance and distinctiveness. sector does not mean the ABC must accountability would not have it any The second principle from the ABC avoid any activity a commercial player other way. Charter that guides us is that the ABC is providing. But now, after years of commercial should, when making content And it never has. The ABC has market cuts to investment in news decisions, take account of what is delivered quality news on television and current affairs, we’re in a good being offered by commercial and for more than 50 years. Every free-to- position to appreciate the wisdom of a community broadcasters. As you can air television network has offered continuing public investment in the see, there’s a direct link to the first news. None of these free-to-air ABC’s news service. networks suggested that news be principle about widely appealing and Our strategy is built upon a third limited to commercial providers, that specialist content. principle as well which, like the the ABC not deliver nightly news There are now new and extreme Charter, derives from the ABC Act. simply because they could deliver it. pressures on commercial media, and And that principle is the Board’s duty The consensus was that the best result because there are, it’s been suggested to ensure the ABC provides the for the public would, in fact, come that certain markets today should be maximum benefit to the Australian from both. serviced exclusively by commercial people on the public investment in broadcasters with neither contribution In looking at new services, we need the ABC. nor competition from the public always to consider the distinctiveness broadcaster. Australian civic and of what we provide, how we can meet continued overleaf...

Page 13 ... continued from previous page. Those who said it was scandalous who have been long accustomed to the Our new news channel, ABC News that the ABC would create a digital good years of sustained economic and 24, will do just that. children’s TVchannel with additional sectoral growth are finding the lean years particularly difficult. Yet, the The biggest cost in creating a news public funds then said it was answers to these challenges will be channel is in the reporting teams on scandalous that the ABC would create equally difficult. the ground. We have that – nearly a news channel without additional 1000 journalists working locally, public funds. Critics like these are James Murdoch’s proposal – that nationally and internationally. difficult to please. when commercial media are in trouble, public media should be shut out– I suspect we have more people But for the Board, the ABC’s News comes dressed as a solution, an easy working in our international bureaux channel is a clear example of how, by answer. Yet it’s an answer that is in the than all other Australian media outlets leveraging off current spending and interests only of his shareholders, combined. expertise built up over decades and rather than the interests of our owners, through hard work and internal Teams in 60 local radio stations the Australian people. As Adam Smith reinvestment, the ABC will deliver around the country. A News radio would say, in this case the private maximum benefit to the Australian station. Big capital city news rooms. corporation’s shareholder interests are public. Vast experience. “in some respects different from, and And, by implementing new By adherence to these guiding even opposite to, that of the public.” principles, enshrined in our Charter technology and work processes, we In looking for answers, it’s important and our Act, we continue to serve the have made significant savings in our to hold tight to what is working, what television production model – and are Australian public well and ensure the has delivered and continues to deliver. therefore able to redirect this ABC remains an important, credible To what has been valued in the past operational money to fund the and connected part of the Australian and may have an even more important channel. media landscape. role in the future. So for no additional call on These are demanding times. There It is why I am happy to debate the taxpayers, we will deliver this are countless new pressures on media role of the ABC. It’s why so many important new service free-of-charge, organisations every day. Australians will fight hard to defend it, available to every Australian home. Understandably, those in the media protect it and secure its future.

Illawarra ABC’s Role as Emergency Broadcaster BranchNews In mid May 2010 about forty members of the Illawarra Branch of the Friends met for morning tea and an address by Peter Riley, Breakfast Show presenter and Team Leader of ABC Radio Illawarra 97.3FM. Peter has had a key roll in the ABC Radio’s Emergency Broadcasting service. Increasingly, the ABC is being called upon during public emergencies such as flood and bushfire to provide a vital communication link between the State Emergency Service and police and the people living in the affected area. This role was demonstrated very recently (26 May 2010) when 130 homes were evacuated during violent weather on the South Coast of NSW at Bulli. There was the potential for a dam left over from a disused coal mine bursting and flooding the houses downstream. During the afternoon and into the early evening Dr Dorothy Jones thanks the ABC’s Peter Riley. ABC Illawarra broadcast warning and details of the two evacuations centres

Page 14 Branch News setup. They were then on standby for branch website and reported at the to our group at an afternoon tea a repeat of the weather forecast for regional conference in August. function at Wyong, a change of the following weekend and into the At the last branch meeting it was venue from previous functions. More future until the dam is dismantled. decided that the branch will be than 60 attended, the majority of Peter gave a Power Point presentation represented at the regional conference whom were not members. We have outlining the ABC’s role and links with by Neville Jennings (President) and not yet heard from FABCNSW if any other emergency service providers. He Jill Keogh (Byron Bay Sub-branch new members joined on that day. played a role in the cyclone emergency Convenor). Jeremy who was accompanied by in Karatha W.A. in March 2007 and the The Northern Rivers branch his wife, Danielle, an ABC News Radio devastating floods in Ingham North supports local film-makers and employee, entertained the audience Queensland earlier this year. writers. Once again we are official after a brief address, by answering Peter Riley is also a journalist and supporters of the Byron Bay Writers their many questions . took photographs of the devastation in Festival to be held from 6 to 8 August. He is a passionate supporter of the the areas he had worked on emergency ABC North Coast plays a significant ABC and its Managing Director and broadcasting. He included many of role in promoting the festival. Branch feels it a real privilege to be working these photos in his presentation which members have been offered free for them. Since late 2009 he has done showed graphically not only the affects passes to see the locally-made film so in Sydney, filling in for Juanita of the emergency on locals but the “Lou” which was shot in the Tweed Phillips from time to time and also conditions under which the emergency Valley with Mount Warning as a for Felicity Davey. As well he writes broadcasts are sometime made. backdrop. The film will have its script for some of Juanita’s news Chris Cartledge premiere at Byron Bay and stories. Murwillumbah on June 17. Jeremy’s career has been forged Details of the next branch activity through the internet and his own Northern Rivers will be announced in Northern Rivers persistence.”Don’t get into this game newspapers. because you want to read the news, study what you are interested in, The launch of a Public Audit of the Neville Jennings don’t listen to people who say you ABC was the main topic of can’t do it, get work experience in conversation at the April 28 meeting those fields in which you have of the Northern Rivers branch. This Central Coast interest, don’t be intimidated by audit is an initiative of the Northern others,” were some of the words of Rivers branch. It aims to examine the Central Coast Branch had plans for a advice he gave to a Year 12 Wyong extent to which members of the visit by ABC News/7.30 Reporter High student. public access and appreciate the full Tracy Bowden for June. However News readers and other ABC range of services provided by the Tracy reminded us that as ABC presenters read religiously the national broadcaster. reporters may be called away without audience Contact Reports to find notice to cover stories from around The audit asks respondents to praise or criticism from viewers and the world, it was quite possible that comment on the ABC’s proposed 24 listeners. To the question, "Where do she would not be available at the last hour news and current affairs kids get their news from if not the minute. With tickets to be sold and channel, the quality of programs for 7.00pm ABC News?", he added,”Often catering organised, the committee children and adolescents and the from their mobile phones,” and decided to postpone this event to standards of journalism in the ABC’s added that during the recent Haiti another occasion. news and current affairs programs. earthquake there were 300 000 hits In March we were pleased to Respondents have a chance to on ABC News content from mobile welcome Jeremy Fernandez to speak comment on the importance of Triple phone users. J, Classic FM. Local ABC and Radio He acknowledged that the sharing National as well ABC Online. In the of News between TV Channels occurs trial audit there has been a strong frequently and although the ABC response to the notion of increasing shows footage from other sources it funds for regional programming. always undertakes the often time The Public Audit can now be consuming authentication of the accessed by members of the public facts presented. and members of other Friends of the Central Coast FABC hopes to hold ABC branches by going to the its next function in July. Northern Rivers branch website (http://home.iprimus.com.au/webfor Regular meetings and/or coffee mation/friendsabcnr). Potential afternoons are held on the second respondents are asked to download a Saturday of each month from 2.00pm at the Central Coast Leagues Club word file and return responses either Dorothy Saddler and Charlie Proctor with Gosford. by email attachment or post. Results Jeremy Fernandez. of the audit will be posted on the John Hale

Page 15 State and Regional Branches

National Web Portal Central Coast Mid North Coast Queensland – FABC links to all State Branches. John Hale Drusi Megget Professor Alan Knight 21 Stephenson Rd PO Box 1752 Creative Industries Faculty QUT Go to: Bateau Bay NSW 2261 Port Macquarie NSW 2444 GPO Box 2434 www.friendsoftheabc.org.au Phone: 4333 8107 Phone: 6583 8798 Brisbane 4001 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Mal Hewitt (President) FABC NSW Cowper Northern Rivers PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 Joyce Gardner (Secretary) Neville Jennings ACT – FABC Phone: 9637 2900 FABC Cowper PO Box 1484 Kingscliff 2487 Jane Timbrell [email protected] 7 Royal Tar Crescent Phone/Fax: 6674 3830 (H) GPO Box 2625 Nambucca Heads NSW 2448 [email protected] Canberra ACT 2601 Albury Phone: 6568 7532 Phone: 6249 8657 Jim Saleeba [email protected] Byron Bay Sub-branch convenor [email protected] 621 Lindsay Ave. Jill Keogh Albury NSW 2640 Eastern Suburbs Phone: 6688 4558 South Australia – FABC Phone: 6021 5690 Nizza Siano (Secretary) Sandra Kanck 16 Holland Rd Orange PO Box 7158 Hutt St Armidale Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 Bev Holland Adelaide SA 5000 Val Sherwell Phone/Fax: 9327 3423 26 Sunny South Crescent Phone: 8336 4114 167 Markham Street [email protected] Orange NSW 2800 [email protected] Armidale NSW 2350 Phone: 6362 4744 Phone: 6772 0342 Great Lakes & Manning Valley [email protected] Western Australia – FABC [email protected] Margaret Gardner Harry Cohen PO Box 871 Forster NSW 2428 Parramatta PO Box 534 Bathurst Ph: 6554 9181 (H) 6591 3704 (W) Mal Hewitt Subiaco WA 6904 Tracey Carpenter [email protected] 31 Queen St Granville 2142 [email protected] 76 Havannah St Phone: 9637 2900 Bathurst NSW 2795 Hunter [email protected] Tasmania – FABC Phone: 6331 8305 Peter Brandscheid Melissa Sharpe [email protected] c/o PO Box 265 Victoria – FABC PO Box 301 Merewether NSW 2291 Friends of the ABC (Vic) North Hobart TAS 7002 Blue Mountains Phone: 4943 8076 GPO Box 4065 Phone: 0427 041 161 Bob Macadam [email protected] Melbourne VIC 3001 [email protected] 34 Lee Road Phone: (03) 9682 0073 Winmalee NSW 2777 Illawarra [email protected] Phone: 4754 1620 Jan Kent (Secretary) FABC RESOURCE CENTRE [email protected] Friends of the ABC Illawarra Darce Cassidy PO Box 336, Unanderra 2526 www.friendsoftheabc.org Phone/Fax: 4271 3531 [email protected]

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