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FRI 009 Newsletter 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.
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