Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. quarterly newsletter December 2008 Vol 16, No.9 update friends of the abc

fear of the “dumbing down” of RN that has its supporters so concerned. After all, AUNTY GETS IT we have all watched in dismay as some ABC Local Radio has been reduced to the intellectual level of commercial radio without the ads! WRONG AGAIN – Unquestionably, the decision to so radically change the RN lineup has been very badly handled by ABC management, and the bland and reassuring general statements which have been issued since Stephen Crittenden aired the matter on his program have done little to allay fears of the loyal RN audience. From Radio National Manager Jane Connors: “2008 has BADLY been a strong year for ABC Radio National and with the planned changes, 2009 offers A word from the NSW President - Mal Hewitt growth in depth and breadth of its content available, delivered in ways audiences There are times when the moved from its early Sunday morning enjoy.” Tell us how, Jane, with the countless advocates for and timeslot, convenient for conductors and replacement of nine programs with one supporters of the ABC choristers before they headed off to new one! across the country are services, to very late on Sunday night, long forced to shake their heads after they have all gone to bed! in bewilderment at the decisions of ABC • It has happened again with the axing of Management regarding “The Religion Report,” essential listening inside popular programs of outstanding quality. for both the faithful and the faithless at a Plaudits for Play School 3 time when, right across the world, leaders Senator Conroy Media Release 4 • It happened when “Earthbeat,” the of nations justify their decisions on The Future of the ABC 5 specialist weekly environment program, religious grounds and claim to be acting at was scrapped at the precise time that the the prompting of their particular God. A Please let the Government know 6 rest of the world suddenly awoke to the time, it would seem, when a specialist What are they doing to realization that our very future could program like “The Religion Report” would Radio National? 7 depend on our understanding of the cause be enhanced, not eliminated. The dumbing down of and effect of human activity and global Radio National 7 warming, issues so effectively covered in WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON AT Press Release from ABC 8 “Earthbeat.” RADIO NATIONAL? ABC Radio Cuts draw a • It happened when “Australia Talks Back,” The firestorm that has descended on the religious sermon 9 essential listening at 6.05 pm each ABC and consequent disastrous press, the Senate questions axing of weekday for anybody interested in ripples of which have reached as far as the Religion Report 9 probing, intelligent discussion of national Federal Parliament, was utterly predictable Radio National - Members issues, was replaced by the exceedingly when one considers the Radio National have their say 10 audience. bland “Australia Talks,” and the brilliant Illawarra Branch lobbies broadcaster Sandy McCutcheon was It is intelligent, it is educated and it is local MPs 12 replaced by a presenter for whom the articulate, and it is highly unlikely to take Radio National Issue in English language seems to be a challenge, kindly to being told by ABC management SMH letters 13 what it wants on its network. Radio let alone the subtleties of many topics Radio National Under Threat 14 covered. National listeners were encouraged to respond to a recent survey, but the survey Branch News 15 • It happened at Classic FM when “For the dealt only with method of delivery of New Teeth for Aunty - God Who Sings,” essential listening for all programs, not the far more important issue Reinvigorating the National involved in presenting church music, was of program content, and it is the very real Broadcaster. Part 2 16

Page 1 In the following piece, of which Sir outstanding quality despite constantly Update Publication Information Humphrey would have been proud: “A diminishing resources with which to work. major development for the network will be Friends of the ABC will be arguing the introduction of a new radio features Update is published four times a year by strenuously that the government should program and an increase in online features Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. (FABC), provide the ABC with substantially more PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059. content. These program changes allow RN funds in 2009 in order that the ABC may to convert a small number of positions Printpost approved PP245059/00002 fulfil its charter in every respect, but we into roles with a stronger online and would like to have confidence that ABC To become a member phone digital editorial focus and to enable general Management will display responsible (02) 9990 0600 or email to enhancements to the network’s website.” [email protected] stewardship in handling any funding Somebody was paid to write that?? or access our website increase. www.fabcnsw.org.au. SOME ANSWERS PLEASE, Mr. SCOTT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INQUIRY Extracts from newspapers and other A publicly funded broadcaster is ultimately INTO PUBLIC BROADCASTING publications appearing in Update do not answerable to its audience, who provide its necessarily reflect the views of the The Rudd Government has invited funds, and the seeming arrogance members of FABC. submissions from the public into its inquiry underlying the decisions at Radio National Update is distributed to all members of into the future of the ABC and SBS. In this does not sit well with that audience. FABC, as part of the membership fee. Update, Darce Cassidy has provided a Update is also supplied to journalists, Can you please tell us, Mark Scott: detailed guide to the writing of a politicians and libraries across Australia. submission – I urge all ABC supporters to It is edited and produced in Sydney but • Upon which audience surveys regarding take the opportunity to tell the government contributions are welcome from NSW country RN content were the decisions based? and interstate branches. what you think (it must be done by Material may be quoted or reproduced • What was the involvement of ABC staff December 12th), and why the ABC must from Update provided the source is and presenters in the decision making receive a substantial increase in funding in acknowledged and reproduction is sent to process? the 2009 budget if it is to meet the the President FABC. minimum requirements of its charter. • Why are you proposing the making of Would you like to receive Update specialist programs for podcasting only, RUPERT MURDOCH AS BOYER magazine electronically? when the cost of broadcasting those Save the planet's trees and The Friends LECTURER programs is minimal? printing and postage costs and read Update It is somewhat bizarre that the ABC Board magazine on your computer. • If the changes are a reaction to the considers Rupert Murdoch a suitable person Each quarter, when Update is published, you growth of your online audience, are not the to be lecturing Australians on anything! He will receive an email with a link to the latest programs being downloaded the very issue (each magazine is around 0.5MB). who abandoned his Australian citizenship You can try this now by going to our programs you’re getting rid of? in order to make a buck in the US, whose appalling Fox network has provided such website at www.fabcnsw.org.au and • Are you not aware that, whether over or clicking on Update. an enthusiastic cheersquad for the totally under the age of 50, the audience for Radio If you prefer this delivery option for future discredited Bush regime and its disastrous National, both on line and on air, is Updates please send an email to the adventure in Iraq, and whose minions actually looking for programs of depth and Membership Secretary. writing in his Australian publications dare intellectual rigour, in fact the very specialist accuse the ABC of bias, and argue Who to write… programs you seem to want to get rid of? Anyone seeking basic information about vehemently for its demise. But I suppose writing to persons of influence might find it Elsewhere in Update we provide when some of those critics are actually helpful to go to the FABC NSW website extensive coverage of reaction to the members of the ABC Board, it’s not so www.fabc.org.au where there are some decisions regarding Radio National, a surprising that they would give their boss menu items under "Be Active" leading to reflection of the strength of feeling that the kind of platform that the Boyer Lectures pages of information: Who can I write to? the decisions have aroused. provide. It only serves to strengthen the What can I say? argument for a new process of appointing WHAT MESSAGE CAN WE GLEAN the ABC Board, and we applaud the Rudd FABC (NSW) Executive Committee FROM ABC FUNDING PRIORITIES? Government’s moves in that direction. Office Bearers President - Mal Hewitt It is no secret that the Radio National PLAY SCHOOL RECOGNIZED Phone: 9637 2900 specialist units operate on minimal Email: [email protected] budgets. The Religion Report gave us I am delighted to announce that the Secretary & Treasurer - James Buchanan insights, information, opinion and debate, Friends of the ABC 2008 Award for Phone: 9371 5621 every week throughout the year on a Excellence in Broadcasting will be presented Email: [email protected] budget of around $200,000 to cover to Play School, one of those unique ABC Membership Secretary - Angela Williamson salaries, technical production, research and jewels which has been leading the way in Phone: 9416 4463 travel. ABC management has just quality television broadcasting for young Email: [email protected] committed several million dollars, children since 1966. Update Editor - Mal Hewitt although not the six million widely PO Box 1391 N. Sydney NSW 2059 publicized, to one more year of The You can read more about this award and Email: [email protected] Chaser’s limited number of shows, Play School elsewhere in Update, but the Cartoonist - Phil Somerville presumably in a bidding war with the award will be presented at the Friends of Editorial Cartoonist for The Sun Herald commercial networks, suggesting perhaps the ABC Christmas Party, to be held at the (Sydney) www.somervillecartoons.com an unhealthy obsession with ratings? And Ultimo ABC headquarters on Friday 5th Layout Artist - Paul Martens as a co-production, the ABC does not even December at 6 pm, and all Friends are own the show! We can only imagine the warmly invited. Membership Line: 9990 0600 effect on morale of those in the ABC who Mal Hewitt continue to produce programs of President, NSW Friends of the ABC

Page 2 Plaudits for Play School Mal Hewitt that they couldn’t get a Play School gig! good teaching. This led to a discussion he NSW Friends of the ABC Award of the principles underlying television for Broadcasting Excellence in 2008 Executive Producer Virginia Lumsden T programming for young children that will be presented to Play School in (33 years with the ABC and 10 years underpin each episode of Play School: recognition of the program’s astonishing with Playschool) received the news of record of continuous presentation of the Award with obvious delight, and • be entertaining quickly responded with an invitation for Children’s Television of outstanding • involve genuine interaction/connection Reg and his dad to visit the Play School quality since 1966. with audience Studio at Ultimo for the recording of an It was a unanimous decision of the episode where we met Virginia and her • don’t condescend or patronize (kids NSW FABC Executive that Play School small production unit – Director Julie see through fakes) should be recognized in this year’s Money, Production Designer Fiona award, but, as father of just-turned-three • recognize the difference between Donovan and, on this particular day, Reginald, I must confess to a special childlike and childish presenters Georgie and Matt. interest, as nothing can encroach on the • be aware that we are teaching values – We learned that in this studio, 9 series sacrosanct 9.30 to 10am timeslot on co-operation, sharing, kindness, that of Play School (with 5 shows in a series, ABC Kids in our house. Justine, Georgie, life isn’t always about winning Jay, Rhys, Karen, Leah, Alex, Teo, and each series on a particular theme) Brooke, Sofya, Matt and Andrew have are produced each year. 10 shows are Play School has been doing what it become members of our extended broadcast each week, one morning and does with distinction for 42 years – the 5 family. After a lifetime working with one afternoon, with a mixture of the new year old viewers of 1966 are now secondary and occasionally primary and the recycled, and that shows are approaching 50 – and its impact on the kids, my interest in early childhood kept in the cycle for 7 years. Play School lives and values of countless young education has become very focussed! also provides employment for 4 or 5 Australians has been indelible. Reg and I different writers, and an Early Childhood left the Ultimo studios last week with a There are few television programs adviser is an integral part of the team, lasting impression of ABC program anywhere in the world which could joining them for all stages of production makers with a passion for their craft, match Play School for longevity – 42 from inception to script meetings to with a knowledge of and respect for years is a rather long run for any rehearsal to studio recording. those who have preceded them, with a production, and the rollcall of Australian dedication and commitment to actors who have appeared on the show I commented to Virginia that producing programs of outstanding is also extraordinary. It includes Lorraine entertainment and learning for older quality despite the constraints of ever Bayly, Colin Buchanan, Simon Burke, children has become increasingly diminishing funds, resources and Benita Collings, Trisha Goddard, John dominated by whiz-bang digital imagery support. Hamblin, Noni Hazlehurst, Deborah and technology, in marked contrast to Mailman, Philip Quast, Alister Smart, the early childhood reliance on quality Our warmest congratulations to Don Spencer, Monica Trapaga and John singing, dancing, movement, story- Virginia and her team as worthy Waters. One wonders what was wrong telling and activity that we see on Play recipients of the 2008 Award for with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, School that is timeless, and just plain Broadcasting Excellence.

Page 3 Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

Media Release. 16 October 2008 Measures to ensure strong and independent national broadcasters

The Rudd Government today announced a public “The new selection process will ensure that all future appointments consultation and new board appointment processes to ensure to the ABC and SBS Boards are conducted in a manner that the future strength and independence of Australia’s national fosters independence, transparency, accountability and public broadcasters. confidence.” “For the next two months, the Australian public will have its The Government will also reinstate the position of staff-elected say on how the ABC and SBS are positioned for the next director on the ABC Board. decade,” the Minister for Broadband, Communications and “The position of staff-elected Director makes an important the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said. contribution to the ABC’s independence by providing the Board “The ABC and the SBS are two of Australia’s most important with a unique and important insight into ABC operations,” Senator and loved public institutions. They have entertained, educated Conroy said. and informed generations of Australians. It is incumbent on all Discussions on the future of the national broadcasters formed part of us to ensure their future strength and independence.” of the agenda at the Australia 2020 Summit, held in Canberra in The Government has released a discussion paper, ABC and April 2008. The Rudd Government now wants to extend that SBS: Towards a Digital Future, canvassing some of the key dialogue to the wider Australia community. issues facing the two broadcasters during the next decade. The outcomes of the public consultation will be considered by the “Australians are passionate about their national broadcasters Government ahead of the next three-year funding round for and I expect there to be some strong views about ensuring national broadcasters, which commences in July 2009. The the ABC and SBS are well placed to respond to the outcomes will also contribute to policy decisions for the long-term challenges and opportunities of the emerging digital, online future of national broadcasting. and global media environment,” Senator Conroy said. Submissions can be made to the Department of Broadband, The Rudd Government will also restore independence to the Communications and the Digital Economy before Friday 12 ABC and SBS Boards. The Government is today calling for December 2008. The discussion paper is available at applications from Australians to fill four vacancies on the www.dbcde.gov.au/abcsbsreview or by calling 1800 025 145. Boards. Applications will be assessed on merit by a Further information about the merit-based appointments process is Nomination Panel established at arms-length from the available from the Department of Broadband, Communication and Minister. the Digital Economy’s website at “For too long the process of appointing directors to the ABC www.dbcde.gov.au/abcsbsboards. and SBS Boards has been open to political interference. It is Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457 time to restore independence,” Senator Conroy said.

Page 4 THE FUTURE OF THE ABC – Your chance to have your say

Darce Cassidy multi-channel, multi-platform production of high quality Australian he government is environment? drama on television. In recent years this has declined, largely for budget Tinviting public Response: Public broadcasting must reasons. The ABC should be funded to submissions to its not only be available to everyone produce at least 100 hours of local inquiry into the (including remote areas) but it should drama a year. future of the ABC and strive to be used by everyone. It is the SBS. Significantly, this inquiry not there simply to make the 5. What role should the ABC play coincides with the government’s programs the commercials can’t be in children’s programming? consideration of the ABC’s triennial bothered with. It is there for Response: The ABC has plans to start budget submission. It also comes at a everyone, not just the elite. As former a dedicated TV children’s channel, time when digital television and Director of BBC TV, Sir Huw Wheldon digital radio channels are expanding, said it should aim “to make the good with an emphasis on locally produced and when the ABC is expanding its popular, and the popular good”. The material. This will be a costly Internet presence, and further proliferation of channels and delivery undertaking, and the ABC needs a developing the Internet as a means of platforms makes this easier, but there substantial increase in funds to program delivery. are equity issues with some delivery achieve this. This is a critical time for the ABC, platforms, especially if there is a 6. Should additional funding and an opportunity for all of us to charge for access. The ABC would not options for national be a public broadcaster if some people express our views directly to the broadcasting program be were priced out of access to it. government. considered such as user-pays The government has published a 2. Should the ABC Charter be systems for programs distributed lengthy discussion paper (it runs to amended to be more online, or open contracting for 57 pages) which is available at contemporary? public interest content? www.dbcde.gov.au/media_broadcasti Response. The Charter is meant to Response: The introduction to the ng/consultation_and_submissions/ab be a statement of broad principle, government’s discussion paper states c_sbs_review/discussion_paper rather than about nuts and bolts. In a that public broadcasting should enable However public submissions don’t rapidly changing environment it is up “ all Australians to access broadcasting have to be confined to the issues to the Board to develop appropriate services, regardless of geography or raised in the discussion paper. You policies. The new board appointment capacity to pay, to allow them to can comment on any aspect of the process adopted by the government participate in society and its ABC that you wish. suggests that we will have a more institutions.” A user pays system for appropriate board in future. However The preferred length of submissions online content, especially given the there is one important change is less than 1,000 words. To be extraordinary high cost of Internet required to the Charter. When the accepted submissions must be access in Australia is not consistent ABC was established the Act forbad accompanied by a cover sheet. Details with universal access. the ABC to broadcast advertisements. www.dbcde.gov.au/media_broadca at The phrase “open contracting” sting/consultation_and_submissions/ 3. The Internet did not exist at appears to refer to the system by abc_sbs_review/make_a_submission this time. Technically, transmission which the contract to run the over the Internet is not broadcasting. The discussion paper raises 24 Australia Network is open for renewal The Act therefore needs to be specific questions. However you don’t every five years. This fundamentally amended to prohibit the ABC have to confine yourself to those alters the relationship between this running advertisements on its questions – you can make any ABC operation and the government. It Internet sites, on material transmitted comment you like. does not have the same “arms length” via the Internet. What follows is a list of what I relationship with the government , consider to be the critical issues, and 4. What role should the ABC nor is it subject to the ABC Charter or my own views about those questions. have in promoting Australia’s the provisions of the ABC Act which I urge you to express your own cultural identity and presenting forbid advertising on the ABC proper. opinions in your own submission. Australian images on TV, radio The extension of this system to other and other media? ABC operations would not be 1. How should the ABC be a Response: The ABC used to have an consistent with the independence of comprehensive broadcaster in a excellent reputation for the the ABC.

Page 5 7. What is the proper role of Radio National? Is there a problem if it has a small audience? Radio National is the ABC’s ideas network. While it has extended its Please reach in recent years through podcasts, it has a smaller audience let the Government than ABC Local Radio and Triple J. This is not a problem. The ABC as a whole has an obligation to provide know how important something for everyone, but this does not apply to each individual network. the ABC is to you. To criticise RN for having a relatively small audience is like criticizing the ABC’s youth network, Triple J, for the Jill Greenwell fact that not many people over fifty listen to it. Some politicians like to The ABC will get adequate funds only if the Government feels the pressure of criticise RN for its low ratings. public opinion. The public has been invited to contribute to the decisions about Perhaps they should be reminded that the next three-year funding round for the ABC and for SBS by taking part in a it is their network, the parliamentary process of consultation announced on 16 October by the Minister for and news network (which broadcasts Communications. news when parliament is not sitting) Submissions - which can be in the form of a letter, and don't have to be long - that has the smallest audience. Radio must be in before Friday 12 December 2008. National is an essential part of the These are some of the questions which the Government, and the ABC, would ABC’s output and its specialist like your reaction to: programs need to be retained. 8. Is the ABC adequately • In the future media environment, with a bewildering array of choices, do you funded? think there will be any need for the ABC to continue to provide Response. By any reasonable 'comprehensive broadcasting services' which appeal to a wide range of measure the ABC is under funded. tastes and interests? • What sort of role do you think the ABC should have in presenting Australian In 2005-6 government funding for stories both to its Australian and to its overseas audiences? the BBC was $107 per head . In the same year government funding for • The ABC is currently charged with presenting programs which reflect Australia's cultural diversity. If you think the ABC should maintain this role, the ABC was $41.40 per head. what could it be doing more of, or doing better? In 2005-6 figures published by the • Do you think the ABC plays a valuable role in children's programs? Should Australian Communications and ABC children's television programs be on a separate, dedicated, channel or Media Authority indicate that the on the main ABC channel - or on both? combined income of the three • Should there be a role for the public broadcasters in education and training commercial TV channels was $3738 in a 2020 media and communications environment? million . The average income of a • Should consideration be given to expanding the ABC's overseas service, commercial channel was therefore and if so, in what form and to which countries? $1246 million compared to the ABC’s • What mix between outsourced and in-house production should there be? $827 million from the government. Moreover this money covered not • Should a user-pays system for online programs be considered? only ABC TV, but also the ABC’s five • Would you support open contracting for broadcasting services, similar to domestic radio networks and its the current contracting of Australia Network (formerly Asia-Pacific TV)? overseas service Radio Australia.

Submissions must have a cover sheet and should be posted to: 1. Media Guardian 7/7/2006, BBC license fee income tops £3bn, guardian.co.uk, viewed 28 July 2008, ABC SBS Review http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/jul/07/bbc.broad casting1. Department of Broadband, Communications

2. ABC Annual Report, 2005-6, Australian Broadcasting and the Digital Economy Corporation, viewed 28 July 2008, GPO Box 2154 http://www.abc.net.au/corp/annual_reports/ar06/pdf/AB C_Annual_Report_2005-06.pdf. CANBERRA ACT 2601

3. Commercial Television Industry Financial Trends, Alternatively, submissions can be emailed, as an attachment, to: 1978-79 to2005-06, Australian Communications and [email protected] Media Authority, viewed 28 July 2008, http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/main/lib310665/ commercial_tv_trends.pdf.

Page 6 What are they doing to Radio National? a wide cross-section of traditions precisely because they are specialists. Nowadays religion is a mainstream political, cultural and socio-economic issue with enormous impact on world God help us! affairs. To cover it adequately you Paul Collins need specialists. That is precisely what Stephen Crittenden has done on Wednesday, 15 October 2008 and something about the future. Specialist broadcasters will spend the Religion Report. He knows what An extraordinary more time responding to opinionated the issues are and where the bodies opening comment by bloggers rather than making are buried. Sure, he's upset some Radio National Religion programs. God help us! powerful people, but that's the nature Report presenter of a free media. Let's be clear what ABC Radio Stephen Crittenden this management is up to: it is a case of I'm not paranoid. I don’t see this as morning was the first the bland leading the bland. an attack on religion. It's more a lack many ABC listeners will Specialisation is out. Nowadays the of appreciation of specialization, have heard about serious changes to belief is that any old (or, more likely, derived from the half-witted, post- the RN schedule planned for 2009. young) "interdisciplinary" journalist modern conviction that everyone can Former ABC religious broadcaster Paul can deal with any topic. Well, I've do anything. Sure, they can ask a few Collins takes up the tale: been interviewed literally hundreds of prosaic, "man-in-the-street" questions. Words tell you everything. When times on ABC radio and TV. My But that's not the task of Radio you hear "interdisciplinary" you know experience is that while most National. If you think it is, get a job it means "dumbing down" and journalists make a reasonable go of it, with the commercials. "consumer focused" always refers to they just don't know the detail and We need to be clear where this is the lowest common denominator. often have to be led to the key leading. It effectively spells the end of This is precisely the rhetoric used questions. religion as a specialization in the yesterday by ABC Radio National Take religion for example. There are ABC. If you only have a couple of management to describe their no more than half a dozen specialist minor, essentially life-style programs intentions for RN programming religious journalists in Australia. Two on air you don't need people who next year. work for Fairfax (Linda Morris and know their stuff. All you need is an Several specialist programs are being Barney Zwartz) and the rest for the 'interdisciplinary, consumer-focused' taken off-air including the Religion ABC which has had a religion approach, produced by the type of Report, the Media Report and Radio department since the beginning of journalist who doesn’t know the Eye. The Reports are flagship the Corporation. Stephen Crittenden, difference between an Anglo-Catholic programs that deal with issues central John Cleary and Rachael Kohn are and an Evangelical! to current culture. Apparently they able to cover a complex spectrum of Paul Collins is a former specialist are being replaced by a movie show beliefs, practices and theologies from editor (religion) for the ABC.

publications emerged and others died. The dumbing down The Media Report has popped up in Hansard, the indexes of books, the curricula of university courses and the ipods of listeners. It has kept on keeping of Radio National on for fifteen years with informed intelligent debate about the state of the Crikey.com nation’s media. Not bad for a half hour show that’s Thursday, 16 October 2008 staffed by one and a half people and By Andrew Dodd costs much less to produce over a year than just one episode of almost any TV program you’d care to mention. ust three days ago I was telling a Jfamily member how proud I was of the So please forgive me for being a little role The Media Report has played in upset at the news that the show is one of Australia’s media debate. It’s been there the nine specialist programs to be axed by through the advent of the internet, cable the network. Others to go include The TV, multi-channelling and myspace. It Religion Report, The Ark, In Conversation, was on-air as the Howard Government Perspective, Sports Factor, Radio Eye and Street Stories. gutted the cross media laws, as all the TV networks changed hands and as new If there’s anything that listeners of The

Page 7 Media Report would know, it’s that new technology show and a program asinine talkback-on-pets’-names casualties in the media industry are called The Futures Report, which nonsense that clogs the airwaves of the inevitable. But it is equally true that the hopefully won’t be about the stock ABC’s other networks. quality of our media is in steady decline market – because that would be too The dread I have is that Radio National and that any loss of thought-provoking depressing. There’s also talk of moving will edge closer to banality. There are journalism is especially depressing. As local radio’s Sunday Profile over to RN. many hundreds of thousands of us who Fairfax loses its way, Radio National had Radio National says that listeners are don’t want the Canberra press gallery been cementing its place as one of the migrating on-line and therefore the take on the world and book-tour driven very last refuges for civility and fresh emphasis should shift in that direction. I celebrity interviewing as our staple. inquiry in the media landscape. don’t share the faith that on-line We are looking for media that starts For example, as The Media Report happens in a vacuum, disconnected where current affairs reporters finish and went to air this morning, the Nine from a strong on-air presence. It is the which challenges us with new ways of network’s Today show was flogging to live-to-air broadcasting of RN’s thinking about issues or which death a B grade Hollywood movie and programs that give them the critical introduces us to ideas that we’d never prattling on about celebrity gossip. It mass and the relevance they need to thought to consider. These wonderful seems to me that with the constancy of prosper on line. Radio National programs did this change in the media and with no other When I was on staff at RN, it was regularly and their loss is a huge blow to radio network capable of analysing the arguably a boutique network, serving the diversity of our media. industry with Radio National’s credibility less people than it ought and struggling or depth, there is a strong rationale for to compete with the metropolitan or Andrew Dodd was the founding retaining it. local stations. Now it is actually hip to be presenter of The Media Report and has So what will we get in the place of an RN listener with an audience which is freelanced for Street Stories, Radio Eye these programs? There are reports of a loyal there because it can’t stomach the and Sports Factor.

PRESS RELEASE FROM ABC ANNOUNCING RADIO NATIONAL CUTS ABC Radio National confirms 2009 broadcast schedule

15/10/2008 ABC Radio National today confirmed its program schedule for 2009, which starts Monday 26 January. The network returns with its highly respected diversity of programs presented by leading broadcasters including Fran Kelly, Phillip Adams, Geraldine Doogue, Robyn Williams, Norman Swan, Rachael Kohn, Ramona Koval, Alan Saunders, Richard Aedy and Michael Duffy.

The major change to the 2009 schedule will be to the daily 8.30am reports. Mondays and Tuesdays see the return of the Health Report and the Law Report respectively. These two programs will be joined by Rear Vision, moved to Wednesdays and replacing the Religion Report - it takes a look at the history of events in the news, and a new program replacing the Media Report on Thursdays - the Future Report (working title) a program that will focus on current world trends of globalisation, communication technologies, and the shifting cultural, social, political and economic responses. On Fridays, Movietime will move in featuring Julie Rigg’s film culture reviews and interviews replacing Sports Factor. Along with an increase to the amount of radio drama on offer with an extended Airplay program on Friday nights, a major development for the network will be the introduction of a new radio features program and an increase in online features content. While this exciting development sees current programs Radio Eye and Street Stories finish later in the year, these program changes allow ABC Radio National to convert a small number of positions into roles with a stronger online and digital editorial focus and to enable general enhancements to the networks website. ABC Radio National Manager Dr Jane Connors said “Decisions to wind up programs are never easy, as all of the network’s shows are made with passion and care, and each have their devoted following. The move of resources and staff, and without job losses, into the development of new content offered in new ways, including online, means ABC Radio National can respond to its hugely successful digital growth and shift in audience trends, especially amongst younger audiences.” “The statistics on ABC Radio National’s digital performance are outstanding and contribute greatly in placing the ABC as a major digital broadcast player internationally.” In 2006, just a year after the network began offering podcasts, ABC Radio National had a monthly average of 765,000 podcast downloads, representing 55% or the ABC’s total monthly average on 1.36 million. This year, to September, the networks’ monthly average is 1.7 million podcasts downloaded - 50% of the ABC’s overall average of 3.37 million - a monthly average increase for ABC Radio National of 125%. ABC Radio National radio programs attract an audience aged 50+ years or older, while online audiences for ABC Radio National are under 50. “2008 has been a strong year for ABC Radio National and with the planned changes, 2009 offers growth in the depth and breadth of its content available, delivered in ways audiences enjoy.” Dr Connors said. Nicola Fern, Marketing Manager ABC Radio National

Page 8 Anglican Church, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, released an open letter to the ABC last week expressing the ABC radio cuts church's disappointment at the program cuts, the Anglican Bishop of South Sydney, Robert Forsyth, said draw a religious yesterday he was "heartened" by the decision to move religion out of a specialised area and into the mainstream. "Sometimes specialist sermon units can run the danger of becoming too close to their subject matter and Kelly Burke Radio National programs, including present a partisan and narrow Consumer Affairs Reporter The Media Report, The Sports Factor viewpoint," Bishop Forsyth said. Sydney Moring Herald and Radio Eye, had been cancelled. October 22, 2008 Crittenden has since been taken off The Religion Report has conducted air and has been ordered by ABC several in-depth interviews with the USTRALIA'S Catholic bishops management not to discuss the Sydney Anglican Archbishop, Peter have added their voice to A matter publicly. Jensen, over the past five years. The mounting criticisms of the ABC's program has also given voice to many In the bishops' statement, decision to axe its flagship weekly opponents of the conservative Sydney Archbishop Wilson said the ABC had radio religious affairs program. Diocese. In an interview with an obligation to put more resources In a statement released by into less populist areas of media Crittenden in January, Peter Phillips, Archbishop Philip Wilson, the coverage. the conductor of the renowned choir The Tallis Scholars, publicly accused president of the Australian Catholic "We can get more than enough of Dr Jensen and his brother Phillip Bishops Conference, the Catholic the latest celebrity gossip or political Jensen, the Dean of Sydney, of Church has decried the decision to PR manoeuvrings via other outlets," hypocrisy and compared them with cut The Religion Report from next he said, adding that he had no doubt Poland's notorious former leaders, the year's programming, arguing the there would be many secularists who move was against the public would cheer at the news their eight Kaczynski twins. broadcaster's charter. cents a day would no longer be going The president of the Uniting The program's presenter, Stephen into funding The Religion Report. But Church in Australia, the Reverend Crittenden, has been stood aside he also conceded there was probably a Gregor Henderson, and the president pending an inquiry into few people of faith who were of the of the Australian Federation of Islamic critical comments he same opinion. "It certainly wasn't Councils, Ikebal Patel, also spoke out made about the everybody's cup of tea," he said. yesterday against the downgrading of broadcaster on air last The Sydney Anglican Diocese outed religious coverage on Radio National. Wednesday. He also itself yesterday as one group grateful No representatives of the Jewish revealed that a number for the program's demise. faith were available for comment, due of other long-running Although the Primate of the to the holiday of Succoth.

Senate questions ABC axing of Religion Report

Canberra, Thursday, 16 October 2008 strong. These programs have a growing of the most important programs on the ABC with a rapidly growing international The Senate today supported a motion audience here in Australia, internationally, audience; from Australian Greens Leader Bob and online. Brown that calls on ABC management to "The decision to cut these programs (iii) Notes that this program broke the reveal the criticisms and reasons behind and dumb down Radio National needs to Peter Hollingworth scandal, has applied the decision to axe the Religion Report, be explained so that the growing critical analysis of the Exclusive Brethren, Media Report and other flagship Radio audience of these programs understands Anglican, Catholic and Muslim religions National programs. what ABC management is doing to their amongst others and provided insightful broadcaster." commentary of various religions over "The Religion Report's insightful The motion was agreed to by the many years; reporting and critical analysis has ruffled Government and Opposition. The text of many feathers over the years - the sign (iv) Calls on ABC management to publicly the motion reads: of a highly successful program!" Senator reveal all formal and informal criticisms Brown said. I move that the Senate: made against this program over recent years; and "Radio National's flagship programs, (i) Notes ABC Radio National's decision whose specialist reporters have a great to axe the Religion Report, Media Report (v) Calls on ABC management to and the Sports Factor; depth of knowledge, are what makes immediately make public the reasons for public broadcasting in this country so (ii) Notes that the Religion Report is one this decision.

Page 9 Radio National - Members have their say

21 October 2008 I know just how rare, and good, these have already tried to influence this Reports are. The series is a huge asset for Attention: Managing Director: Mark Scott consultation process. In this Radio National, for the ABC overall – consultation, it will be important for Dear Mr Scott, and for Australia. the ABC, and particularly programs On the ABC website you summarise A few moments ago I was watching such as the religion report to Radio National as “a world of ideas”. the Andrew Olle lecture, seeing you contribute to the information and One of the most direct ways I tap into congratulate Ray Martin for his debate in the community. these each weekday is through the comments about the need (including as 8.30am Reports. I am appalled at recent sound business strategy) for more If the decision to remove the mention that the ABC might be even journalistic depth in a multi-media program is not changed I hope that remotely planning to drop them. In my world. That’s what the RN Reports are the elements of the religion report opinion they are key programs within all about. I urge you to keep these which perform this function can be the whole RN galaxy – and a pivotal programs not only for their huge undertaken in other programming on contribution to everyday life, like mine, part of fulfilling the ABC charter to a regular basis, and that the expertise but also as a matter of media savvy for inform the Australian community. of the producers and journalists are now and future development. For me, they are a daily conduit that not lost, but used to produce similar Think RN as the ABC’s goldmine for lets me stay up to date on in topics material. almost impossible to keep track of in ideas – and these Reports as core Brendan Bailey any other way. Each half hour is a sourcing. Retain them, use them, build concentrated info-stream of current on them as a new dimension of Senior Policy Officer affairs --focussed, intelligent, world- audience-aligned information in an Public Interest Advocacy Centre ranging, mind-opening, timely ever-expanding podcast world. I’ll be information. including this aspect in my response to the current call for public comment on How many specialist medical journals Towards a Digital Future for the ABC. would I have to subscribe to (let alone 20 October 2008 try to understand) to equal a Monday If nothing else, consider the Mr Mark Scott, session with Norman Swan and the marketing potential. RN Reports would Health Report? How many issues of surely be an easy way to assist ABC Managing Director Australian Catholic Weekly or Jewish News would I Enterprises in fulfilling its charter to Broadcasting Corporation provide “high quality work which have wade through to keep track of Dear Mr. Scott events and debate that equate to 30 would stimulate debate on minutes of the Religion Report? contemporary issues particularly in On October 15th I heard Stephen Australia”. It’s the same with the Law Report - Crittenden say that the Religion full of insights available no other way Trusting this letter is one of many, Report was to be scrapped. He for getting at the legal issues involved, and looking forward to a positive reply, sounded angry; I felt stunned. Later, I especially in cases where the headlines Yours sincerely found out that the Media Report and are all shock/horror/spin. It also touches the Sports Factor were also to be Emma Brooks Maher on legislation and human rights – vital removed, in favour of such lighter- need-to-know’s you don’t get in a news weight programmes as "Movietime". story or 10-sec sound bite. Apart from my disappointment at I find the Media Report a powerful losing some programmes which I window into a world that has huge To: Sue Howard listen to regularly, I thought it was a influence – but where it’s almost strange decision to change that neat impossible to get a glimpse behind the Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 scenes. Other than ABC-TV’s Media selection of interesting and Subject: Religion report Watch, where else can an “outsider” get informative programmes which are some understanding of what trends and I was very concerned to learn about unforgettable because of their regular pressures are operating out there? the decision to axe the religion 8.30 am slots. As for Friday - I’m no sports fan, but I report. I work on human rights You have been quoted in 'Update', find the Sports Report fascinating as a projects where religion can have both V 01.16, No.8, as saying that "A way to keep up to date with what a negative and positive influence on public service broadcaster does not friends and family are talking about. It’s the decisions in Australia and other simply have to be passively available good listening. And the same applies to counties. The religion report is Bush Telegraph, one of my favourite to everyone, but should strive to be programs, notwithstanding I live in excellent at drawing out these used by nearly everyone." No doubt Sydney’s Inner West. They ALL enrich contradictions and identifying the passivity is not as productive as me in that “world of ideas”. religious ideas and institutions which striving, but which 'everyone' are you While an 8.30am timeslot suits me influence secular debates. The Federal referring to? I listen regularly to the fine, if that has to change --I’ll follow. Attorney-General is expected to morning Reports, and I can assure But losing them altogether is announce a public consultation on you I don't do so passively. On the unthinkable. I’ve lived in both UK and how human rights can be protected other hand, when sometimes I listen NZ and been a keen listener in both – so in Australia; religious representatives to the Sports Factor - that is the report

Page 10 in which I have least interest - I listen net is that info is so readily and 17 Oct 2008 quite passively, without anything like quickly available to us. Ironically Letter to the Editor (To 15 regional and city the same attention. This doesn't mean technology and the digital age may be newspapers and to ABC Orange) that I think sports programmes the thing that puts the death knell on should be removed: I know a majority 'listening in' to the radio. Something I Sir, of "everyone' enjoys it greatly. Where have loved dearly over the years, from Without consultation of any kind and does the striving come in? Does it sitting around the wireless as a child apparently in the case of at least one mean that producers strive to find the to carrying out boring housework program, as a result of external pressure kind of programmes to which most of listening to fabulous RN sessions on being applied, the Board of the ABC 'everyone' will listen, bringing high my tranny. It's somehow not the (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) is ratings? same wired to an MP3 player. cutting nine popular programs from Radio National. Radio National seems to me to serve Thank goodness for Bob Brown's the same purpose as the BBC's Radio motion in the senate with bipartisan They are; The Ark. In Conversation. 3. If the ratings prove to be a little support, for ABC management to Media Report. Perspective. Radio Eye. Religion Report. Sports Factor and Street lower than the more 'popular' stations reveal the criticism and reasons Stories. Also to be axed but to remain on (as is true of Radio 3), you might bear behing the axing of so many RN the air until produced programs run out, in mind that not 'everyone' wants programmes, and make them public. is Short Story. lighter-weight programmes - such as From now on I'm very interested in Our public broadcaster is the only Spicks and Specks. These are well Senator Stephen Conroy. source for many Australians especially represented in almost every other I will definitely read the discussion for those engaged in primary broadcasting outlet, both public and paper re future directions and digital production, of up to date news and commercial.. You have said that technology. I don't know what to background information tailored to ""Radio National is one of the jewels make of the RN online survey re their specific needs as producers. It in the crown of the ABC": why do seems to have fallen into the hands of listening/web habits. There was no you want to disfigure the gem by bean counters and ideologues who lack mention of programming and radio abrading it? the intestinal fortitude to stand up to listening habits only questions re use external pressures and influences by I am of a generation (born 1927) to of the net, podcasting etc. which the ABC is seen as subversive whom you are offering digital The ABC media release dated because it does not tug the forelock to advances. Some of us may welcome 15/10/08, with the usual dose of spin, the powers that be. this; but others either cannot handle points out that the move of resources The programming cuts are a form of the difficulty of the purchasing of to ?more worthy programmes will be censorship, a denial of our right not to equipment and the learning of new done without job losses. Wonder be supplied simply with feel good techniques and the time taken away entertainment, but to be supplied also whether Stephen Crittenden's from our preoccupation with tidying with information which makes us think, emotional on-air comments may up our affairs before' leaving home'. and sometimes even dare to demand We also are' everyone', and wish that consign him to the same fate as his answers from the decision makers both you wouldn't take away those programme? in private enterprise and government. experiences which still bring us What a loss to see The Religion If as I am, you are appalled by what is stimulation and involvement while Report axed. The nature of the being done to Radio National and we still survive to enjoy them. programme, of comparative religion believe it is the thin edge of the wedge for the ABC generally, make your Yours sincerely and questioning the politics of religion surely is critical to our feelings known. Mrs. Barbara J. Revill society, particularly from our public Engage with the Friends Of The ABC broadcaster in the quest for balance in their opposition to what is being and for education of those in the done. write to or phone the ABC and or voice your concerns to your local MP. community who are interested in Dear Friends of the ABC, learning about religion without Barry Smythe I've rallied from my feelings of indoctrination. despondency and disappointment Thank you Mal for the time and after hearing of the cuts to RN effort you devote to the FABC. Hope broadcasting schedule for 2009 and other 'friends' are fired up enough to Attention: Mark Scott - General have made it my business (after all be proactive. With the current Manager ABC isn't it incumbent on us all?) to be economic climate and the frenzied Sue Howard - Director of ABC Radio aware of what is happening with our pace of modern life we need more Jane Connors - Manager, Radio precious ABC, in particular Radio fairdinkum, reflective programmes National National. After wading through so such as Radio Eye, Street Stories, much info on the websites at least I Perspective etc,etc not less! Dear Mr Scott, Ms Howard and Ms now feel less helpless and have Dianne Quinn Connors written letters to Mark Scott, Sue Parramatta FABC I am writing to express my great Howard and Jane Connors. concern at the mooted decision by One of the fantastic things with the ABC management to axe a number of

Page 11 programs: The Media Report; In Conversation; Perspective; Radio Eye; Short Story; Street Stories; The Religion Report; The Ark; The Sports Illawarra Branch Factor; etc. I am an avid listener to Radio National and regard it as a source of Lobbies Local MPs almost invariably well researched and presented balanced public Chris. Cartledge information on a broad range of n October 2008 a delegation from the ABC Kids channel ABC3 (ready to go) matters and one of the essential Friends of the ABC Illawarra Branch ingredients in Australia's intellectual I We then pointed out that we had visited their local government MPs to correspondence from the Minister’s office life. To shrink the scope of what is lobby for the ABC’s triennial funding provided is to diminish the breadth dated 2 May 2008 stating “The proposal, the board appointment process Government will also restore the staff- and value of that provision. This is to and the re-instatement of the staff elected Director position on the ABC all our disadvantage. elected director. Board, which was abolished by the While it is true that the ABC is not We visited Jennie previous Government”. It had been the only possible source of such George MP (Throsby) almost a year since the Rudd information, for anyone with a busy and Sharon Bird MP Government was elected and there are life it provides a shorthand survey of (Cunningham) and now two vacancies on the ABC Board what is pertinent contemporary news, were well received. In and that we could see no reason why the research and opinion. It also is a preparation we wrote Staff Elected Director could not be realisation of the ABC's charter to a two page discussion appointed immediately. provide such breadth and depth of paper, highlighting the The final topic we raise is the method ideas and information. points we were to raise. This was of appointment of ABC Board members. supported with a letter from the I despair at the buckling of an In the same letter from the Minister’s Minister’s Office dated 2 May 2008 institution like the ABC to the office it was stated that “in line with its wherein he made certain commitments election commitment, the Government pressure of governments and/or about the topics we were to discuss. We populist bottom line attitudes to the plans to introduce a new ABC Board also attached the document ‘Funding appointment process”. purpose of the ABC, that such benchmarks – beyond the ski slope’ diminution is being contemplated. which graphically shows the changes in We applauded this commitment but For many people ABC Radio National funding since 1985/6. All these question the timetable considering the is the only reliable means of keeping documents are available from concluding statement in the abreast of ideas and opinion which [email protected] abovementioned letter. “The offsets the isolation of geographic Government is moving quickly to Firstly, we pointed out the timing of the implement these arrangements to ensure remoteness, old age, disability or any triennial funding process (thanks Jill greater transparency, accountability and number of other inhibiting Greenwell – ACT). Understandably, they public confidence in the ABC”. constraints. were not aware of the critical windows in We visited Sharon I strongly urge you to reconsider which we could influence the Minister Bird on 8 October this decision so as not to deprive your and then the Cabinet Expenditure Review Committee. We indicated we would be 2008. Immediately devoted fans of the richness and prior to our visit she diversity of what we value so highly - most grateful if they could also represent our views to the Treasurer and the had rung the your unique service to the people of Minister for Finance and Deregulation at Minister’s Office to Australia. enquire about the any opportunity they may have. I also am concerned at the ABC's timing of the We then pointed out that it was the censorship through suspension of promises made in the Hawke and then the Keating above letter. Ms Bird was pleased to tell Stephen Crittenden, for daring to Governments that started cutting funding us that she had been assured that by make his gentle protest at this for the ABC in real terms. Although the the time her letter ( re our visit) reached slashing. What has happened to Howard Government made a savage the Minister’s office that an freedom of expression? $66M cut in 1996, funding has been on a announcement on the above issues While I am at it, though Artworks ‘ski slope’ since 1985/6. would have been made. does what it does well, the visual arts We asked that adequate funding is The Minister’s media release covering fares the worst of all artforms in Radio provided now so that: the new board appointment process National's arts coverage and deserves • The ABC can remain independent of and the appointment of the staff much more fulsome attention! advertising on all its platforms elected director was made on 16 October 2008 and is available on the Yours sincerely • The ABC can recommence the FABC NSW website It is vital we Tamara Winikoff production of Australian drama continue lobbying for the ABC’s Executive Director, National Association (practically nil at present) triennial funding proposal whilst the for the Visual Arts (NAVA) • The ABC can start broadcasting on the window of opportunity is still open.

Page 12 Coverage of Radio National Issue in SMH Letters

17/10/08 Sometimes brilliant people need to be given The media should spend a little more time space and freedom. In Conversation getting the full story. These changes have Aunty’s managers must relearn their provides just that. Week after week Robin taken a year of careful working through, and ABCs of Quality Williams expertly interviews some of the most of us support them. Radio National The ABC, including Radio National, covers world's leading scientists, affording them the cannot remain static, and its core of religious affairs exceptionally well. I am space to discuss those subjects most specialisation is not threatened. always tripping over devoted fans of important to them. The BBC, in its Kirsten Garrett Executive producer, programs such as The Religion Report who overproduced, structured manner, has Background Briefing, Paddington have no religious belief. nothing that comes near Radio National and its reporting of scientific thought. In So it was with concern that I read about the 23/10/08 possible axing of this program next year. Conversation is unique in its free flowing Analysis of religion is vital because of its style, allowing science to be articulated ABC needs vigorous discussions, not web influence on personal belief systems. From clearly and carefully. Regardless of shifts in offerings there to behaviour, in one abrupt step. audience demographic or digital delivery; The broad issues at stake in the controversy listeners need content, which In If we don't have access to unbiased, surrounding Radio National are not new. The Conversation delivers at the highest level. specialised, comprehensive coverage of science broadcaster Robyn Williams wrote a religious affairs, we are not just ignoring one Michael Hooper London whole book on the unique value of specialised broadcasting (Normal Service Won't Be particular elephant in our social lounge room. Resumed, Allen & Unwin) in 1996 when the Given the plurality of belief in Australia, we 21/10/08 ABC was being savagely cut by the Howard are dismissing a herd of pachyderms. Last week the Herald reported the government. It warrants re-reading by ABC The ABC's religious affairs coverage should demeaning comment by Jane Connors, the management. be defended loudly by anyone who cares manager of Radio National, that the The issues revived now that demand thorough about society, psychology, culture, politics, cancellation of several programs was driven exposure include the assumption that putting ethics, life views, history, ideology, gender in part by the fact that on-air broadcasts something on the web equates to a regular issues, values, oh, and spirituality .. attracted principally an over-50s audience, broadcast. The ABC's most substantial Margaret O'Connor Cook (ACT) while the online version attracted a younger material on the web is derivative of well- listenership This attitude shows an researched and produced programs. A "portal' astonishing ignorance of demographics, as for religion, as the ABC's managing director, The axing of key Radio National programs the Herald has just reminded us (Over-65s to Mark Scott, proposes, is a poor substitute for a represents a further erosion of the double by 2036", October 20). Surely an vigorous broadcast. Stuff on the web may be importance and relevance of this mighty implication of those trends is that the voluminous and useful for replay and reference broadcaster. potential audience for Radio National will but it almost never raises any eyebrows. We need the independent voice of Radio increase enormously in the very I age groups It is the broadcasting of specialised programs National; we need its innovative, creative and that ABC management seeks to spurn and which gives standing to web offerings, brings a engaging programs that tell us about marginalise. flow of unique information to the ABC, tests it openly in the public forum and demands ourselves. John Carmody Roseville longstanding commitment by the ABC to If, as the Herald reported, the ABC needed supporting its practitioners. They need an extra $48.1 million for 2008-09 to sustain 22/10/08 adequate air time, staffing, facilities and its output, it should have it. If the ABC is management support when raising broke, the Federal Government should fix it. Time for ABC critics to take a cold shower controversial public issues. Sandra Symons Woollahra The ABC's commitment to specialised As a senior ABC employee (writing in a programs and programmers is tenuous. It has personal capacity) I think it is time there was no cadet training scheme and offers no paths The axing of The Religion Report is a some more thorough journalism, and for fresh talent to enter the various fields. management failure. If the suits at the ABC perhaps a cold shower, on the issue of cannot see that The Religion Report has program changes at Radio National. If the ABC's investigation into critical comments been the best single-subject program on the made on air by Stephen Crittenden is limited to Contrary to the impression given by your radio for the past decade, then they are internal maneuvering over authority between article, staff cuts at the ABC do not affect the useless at their jobs. levels of management and program makers station. It has been said in many stories that and is aimed primarily at disciplining Mr Stephen Crittenden is easy to listen to, well religion has been axed from the network; it Crittenden, its findings will be seen as an informed and not afraid of an argument. In has not. Indeed there are plans to invigorate internal whitewash. This will do the ABC no their "race to the bottom" of commercial its presence next year. good in presenting a convincing case to the success, the Scotts and Milans of this world Stephen Crittenden had a good future with government's wide-ranging review of public flee to the blandness of pop and inoffensive broadcasting. the network, and all issues were talked commentary in their search for a youth through thoroughly with him before any Rather, the serious conflict between public demographic. public announcement. Over the 30 years I criticism and internal defence warrants I think that's short -changing young people, have been associated with the network there reconciliation via a who can have a good time but still want to have been program changes from time to comprehensive and open hear the airing of religious and moral time, and each has been received with inquiry. controversies. similar histrionics from some staff and Peter Pockley , Founding Director Geoff Mullen McMahons Point listeners who don't like change. of ABC Science Unit Glebe

Page 13 23/10/08 square - but a town square with a Ungodly change is no solution to Aunty’s RADIO hurdy-gurdy and no soapbox? He has salvation also said that he wants the ABC to be By writing opponents off as people who NATIONAL 'relevant'. But relevant to whom? don't like change, Kirsten Garrett does There is grave danger that the search Radio National listeners a great disservice. UNDER THREAT for a bigger audience - for higher She appears to forget that the ABC is a ratings - will eliminate the many national broadcaster funded by the public 19 October, 2008 audiences who have depended on the for (supposedly) the public good. On what Dear Friends. basis does management suddenly believe specialist offerings which the ABC - that axing all the 8.30am programs is If you are a Radio National listener, and only the ABC - gives. Further, necessary? or ever have been, you must be without distinctive and specialist Contrast the ABC's attitude to that of the alarmed that the ABC will be cutting journalism, Radio National, far from American Public Broadcasting Service and some of its finest specialist programs in standing out as highly relevant, will be its flagship program, Jim Lehrer News Hour. 2009. camouflaged in the jungle of It has been running for decades, with very mediocrity. few changes. The following will all disappear from next year’s line-up: The ABC has an obligation to lead I have listened to The Religion Report for community discussion about years. Stephen Crittenden does not strike • The Religion Report • The Media controversial topics. It can do that me as the histrionic type. He is one of the Report • In Conversation • The Ark only if it has specialist broadcasters best journalists on deck. He had the • Perspective • Radio Eye • The Sports courage and passion to speak out for the and producers. Yet in Stephen Factor • Street Stories. public good. If only ABC management had Crittenden's criticism of the ABC's as much regard for ABC tradition and Were it not for Stephen Crittenden's decision he said, "The ABC specialist listeners. announcement at the start of 'The units have been under attack for years David Jordan Dee Why Religion Report' last Wednesday (15 but the decapitation of the flagship October) we probably still would not program of the religion department Kirsten Garrett doesn't get it. We, the eight- know what the ABC has in store for us, effectively spells the death of religion cents-a-day audience, trust that Stephen its listeners. It is unprecedented for an at the ABC. That such a decision has Crittenden still has "a good future with the ABC presenter to plead for his been taken in an era when religion network". It may be that "the changes have program. However it is in the interest vies with economics as a determinant taken a year of careful working through" but of all of us to know when the ABC is, of everything that is going on in the this is the first that we've heard of them and in effect, vacating a field of informed world almost beggars belief, but you we don't want them. public discussion and stimulation, let have to remember that just a couple of Jan McCarthy Blackheath alone a whole number of them. years ago they axed the Environment The ABC has now revealed its program." In a miraculous piece of circular argument, justification for the changes. Axing Yes we do remember. We ACT & Kirsten Garrett preaches the doctrine that these specialist programs will enable Region Friends of the ABC protested the media should make greater efforts to "ABC Radio National [to] respond to its against the decision to cut out "get the full story". Surely this is exactly what the soon-to-be-axed Religion Report hugely successful digital growth and "Earthbeat". aims to do and does well. shift in audience trends, especially As Paul Collins, well-known amongst younger audiences" Megan Brock Summer Hill commentator and author, said, "I don't Apparently the replacement programs see this as an attack on religion. It's are to be more 'consumer focused' - more a lack of appreciation of As a former senior ABC employee, I agree meaning consumers aged under 50. specialisation". strongly with Kirsten Garrett that Radio National cannot remain static, and it is vital Note that it is in not suggested by Almost 1,000 people have lodged that its "core of specialisation is not the ABC that the current programs are complaints on 'The Religion Report' threatened". in some way unsatisfactory. There is website. Letters have been published in However, not all critics of the decision to no suggestion that they fail to fulfil the daily papers. How many more drop three of its best specialist programs the ABC's Charter obligation to 'inform have phoned or written to ABC are "staff and listeners who don't like and entertain and reflect the cultural Management we do not know. change". diversity or the Australian community'. However we must all put pen to paper Some changes can be improvements, some The basis for their replacement is or finger to keyboard and complain are not. The Religion Report, The Media solely the suggested consumer long and loudly to the powers that be Report and The Sports Factor are exactly demand. in the ABC. what the network should be featuring on air and online. As an independent public Your letter doesn't have to be long to broadcaster, the ABC has a statutory The presenters are experienced and let the ABC know who its Friends are; dedicated broadcast journalists who keep obligation to "provide a balance it just has to be written! between broadcasting programs of coming up with interesting and different Yours sincerely, perspectives. It's a welcome change to wide appeal and specialised much of what's available across Australian broadcasting programs". Mark Scott Jill Greenwell broadcasting. (ABC Managing Director) has said he President, Ian Wolfe Bowral wants the ABC to be like the town ACT Friends of the ABC Branch News changes and preferences. Armidale Listeners/viewers can make a difference. The re-scheduled evening of movie From her own point of view the discussion and screening which had weekend had its pleasures: she visited been cancelled in July because of the some childhood haunts and, as a ill health of Radio National’s Julie gardener, enjoyed various of the Rigg, proved to be a great success this beautiful spring gardens opened for November. Julie opened charity. And the FABC committee the evening event by revelled in the company, to quote one outlining some aspects of member, “of a very warm, charming her own career in the ABC, and witty lady and an exemplary in particular, her role as an specimen of ABC quality staffing”. arts critic and her views on Quentin addressing the Hunter gathering. world cinema. opinion on various topical issues and She then spoke about the making Central Coast enjoyed the opportunity of a personal and style of the chosen film, Son of a chat after his address fortified by Lion. Set in the North West Frontier Central Coast Branch will celebrate some satisfying refreshments. Hunter Province of Pakistan, it tells the story the end of the year by inviting branch Politics in the Pub supporters also of a sensitive boy who wants to go to members and friends to join the shared in the event and their support school rather than follow his committee for lunch. Date, time and was valued in this major fund raising fundamentalist father into the local venue will be advertised in the next effort. It was a privilege to host industry of gunmaking. The young Branch Newsletter. Quentin at this function and feedback Sydney-based director, Ben Gilmour, from those who had attended was Gosford Uniting Church regularly worked with his untrained Pashtun very positive which is not surprising holds Community Forums on a range actors and supporters in storylines considering Quentin’s reputation and of issues including health, politics and scripting. Filming conditions ability. We look forward to engaging and affordable housing. Our branch were chaotic and dangerous, making more high profile speakers in the has been asked to participate in a the resulting film all the more future to assist us in our efforts of forum to be held in March 2009 remarkable. Julie believes that the helping to maintain a viable and where the topic will be The Media. film has not been gaining the enjoyable ABC in its critical role as a exposure that it deserves: it is a “must It is proposed to invite an ABC successful and diverse public national see”. The capacity audience agreed personality to represent the views of broadcaster. with her. public broadcasting, as well as Peter Brandscheid representatives from such areas as the Armidale FABC organised the President print media, authors, and experts evening to support the local from these fields in tertiary education. International Film Festival committee. As a fundraiser it was very successful. These forums are open to public participation and Central Coast FABC Illawarra Perhaps just as importantly, it members will be invited to attend. provided Friends with excellent Illawarra Branch Tenth publicity, a venue for the signing of Anniversary petitions (on both the cutting of some Radio National programs and Hunter The Illawarra Branch of the Friends of general pleas regarding non- the ABC celebrated its tenth commercialisation etc), plus the Hunter August Function anniversary on September 28 with a enrolment of new members. Links “Sunday Afternoon with lunch held at the Port Kembla Golf with other sections of the community Quentin Dempster”. Club. Sixty-two people came to celebrate and we enjoyed a tasty meal were also reinforced. Hunter Friends enjoyed a well in a beautiful setting on a lovely Julie gave useful advice. She was attended get together at Devonshire sunny day. We also had the pleasure helpful to the Film committee on House, Newcastle on 17 August of listening to our guest, ABC accessing foreign films and on ones featuring Quentin Dempster who journalist, Monica Attard, who which could be considered for the provided a most interesting and attended with her mother and young festival next August. To Friends she informative address on ABC matters son, Sasha. stressed the importance of keeping and political affairs. The audience pressure on the ABC Board and also appreciated the opportunity to Monica, who has won five Walkley Management re programming ask questions and seek Quentin’s awards, including gold Walkley, spent

Page 15 Branch News

five years as an ABC correspondent in her doubtful about ever practicing and proved himself passionate about Russia and published a book, Russia journalism again. She was also the future of broadcasting in a down in 1997. She began by praising the dismayed by the excuses some to earth manner - no tickets on Friends’ role in supporting the ABC, writers offered, when an act of himself! noting the importance of such public plagiarism, for example, might be The branch made a small amount support, especially just now when the shrugged off by saying “I was of money but more importantly Federal Government is considering careless”. But however membership has been boosted by at the next round of triennial funding. uncomfortable the show makes least 8 - and more people showing Monica explained how the ABC lacks colleagues feel, she noted that nearly interest! Many thanks to Kerry for the money necessary to produce all of them watch it and that the his generous giving of his time. content for the many new platforms program prompts journalists to be And it’s in a great cause – celebrating opening up, particularly in electronic more careful throughout the forty our ABC! media, noting that it must already weeks it is screened each year. Drusi Megget provide content for five national The other program Monica FABC mid north coast radio networks and three television described is Sunday Profile which she networks. She expressed hope that now presents on Sunday evenings on Radio National. This provides her with the opportunity to profile one Northern Rivers person who is in the news in a long Branch members in the Northern interview lasting thirty minutes. She Rivers region have shown strong pointed out how such a conversation interest in talks given by Chris can generate an enormous amount of Masters and David Marr organised news and how the format allows a by the Northern Rivers Writers’ presenter to break news stories. Centre in Byron Bay (November 2 At the end of her talk Monica and November 9). answered questions, once again There has been widespread expressing thanks for the support of concern about cutbacks to Radio Monica Atttard and Graeme Lock Lee Friends of the ABC. All her audience discussing issues relevant to the ABC. National programs with numerous enjoyed what she had to say and we branch members writing letters to are grateful for the time an energy some of the damage inflicted on the ABC management. It is our she gave in speaking to us. The ABC during the past ten years will contention that the integrity of on- occasion was a memorable tenth now be reversed. air programs should not be birthday. Monica noted how the ABC allows compromised by any growth in staff a great variety of work online offerings. possibilities – as her own career amply Our branch members have demonstrates – and she had high Mid North Coast commented on the continuing praise for the calibre of people she quality of TV programs such as works with there every day. The bulk Kerry O’Brien wows the mid Australian Story, Four Corners, of her talk concerned two programs north coast Foreign Correspondent and the she herself has been involved in and spectacular Galapagos series of 130 people had a great night at which, she insisted, could be wildlife programs. Panthers in Port Macquarie on 19th presented only by a national September when Kerry O’Brien flew Our local members (Janelle Saffin broadcaster. The first of these is up specially to be FABC Mid North and Justine Elliot) were active in Mediawatch, which she hosted in Coast branch’s guest speaker at lobbying the PM and Minister for 2006-7 and considers one of the most dinner. Kerry mingled with the Communications regarding ALP important programs appearing on crowd before and after his speech. policy on the appointment of television and one which would never He also answered many questions members to the ABC Board. We are find a place on any commercial thrilled to see the reinstatement of network. Monica described how she the ABC staff representative and will had to negotiate the transition from ask our local members to keep a being a television reporter to close eye on funding for the ABC in becoming a TV host and learning to the current economic situation. present material in a studio. She was startled to discover the degree of Branch members should watch scrutiny she was subjected to, even to local papers for news of a pre minute details of her physical Christmas branch meeting in appearance. Reporting and December. President of the local commenting on colleagues could also branch, Neville Jennings, will be an ordeal, while noting the errors travelling in Japan during and carelessness in other people’s Harry Creamer, Kerry O’Brien and Drusi Megget November. publications could sometimes leave at Mid North Coast Branch’s September dinner Neville Jennings

Page 16 influence, the kind of balance it should be able to maintain, is now New Teeth for Aunty considerably eroded. Let me give a narrow example and two broad ones. Reinvigorating the National Broadcaster Under Stuart Littlemore, Richard Ackland, David Marr and Liz Jackson, the ABC’s Media Watch was once Part Two. By Robert Manne Bolt and Piers Akerman appear able, among many other things, to alongside others on the Left, like put pressure on the Murdoch press. How much did the persistent David Marr. On Radio National At the beginning of this year, Media campaign about left-wing bias affect Michael Duffy is now trying to play Watch was less politically combative the ABC? the long-sought-after role of a right- than it had been under the previous It could be argued that at least the wing Phillip Adams. And on presenters. Yet as the campaign about ABC is now scrupulously unbiased in Difference of Opinion representatives the left-wing bias of the program regard to narrow aspects of party of the neo-liberal think-tanks have gained momentum, the Murdoch politics. During an election campaign regularly appeared. I said that this masthead in Australia, the Australian, the main parties of government and was a good development “in theory” waged an unbalanced and obsessive opposition get equal time to put their for a particular reason. One of the campaign against it. For every three case, as they should. Leaders of the problems of Australia (unlike the minutes of Media Watch criticism of parties get equally searching grillings United States or Britain) is the the Australian, banner headlines and by key interviewers, like Kerry absence of intelligent conservatives thousands of frequently irrational O’Brien, Tony Jones and Chris able and willing to contribute in the words flowed. The relentless Uhlmann, as they should. The public sphere. It is impossible to campaign against the program drove problem with this argument is that think of people like Andrew Bolt and both the presenter and the producer none of this is new. It has long been Piers Akerman, philistines of the first to resign, for reasons that are more the case. One of the pseudo-academic order, as the cultural equivalents of than understandable. As she showed studies mentioned earlier found that David Marr, the sophisticated in her time in Yeltsin’s Russia, the ABC had been biased towards biographer of Patrick White, or of Monica Attard is probably the finest Labor in the first two weeks of the Michael Duffy as an equivalent to and most feisty foreign 1998 election campaign, and then Phillip Adams in range, intelligence, correspondent the ABC has ever had. biased towards the Coalition in the curiosity or humour. Nonetheless, in In her final Media Watch, Attard third as guilty over-compensation. the absence of classier alternatives it showed that she had not been cowed Another study showed that during is better that such voices should now by the Australian, revealing the the waterfront dispute, occasioned by be heard on the ABC than that the misdemeanours of both the business the unlawful sacking of the entire Right not be heard at all, as was more reporter Matthew Stevens, who MUA workforce, the sound-bite usual in the past. copied word-for-word questions interviews conducted by the ABC In my opinion the long campaign contained in an email of a PR firm had, on average, lasted one second hired by a health-care company longer with trade unionists than with facing hostile takeover, and of the representatives of the Patrick “colourful” Caroline Overington, Corporation. (I swear I am not Almost certainly as a who promised one of the joking.) The only conclusion that independent candidates in could be drawn from all this was that result of pressure from the Wentworth great publicity if she the man who undertook these board, one of the most delivered her preferences to Malcolm studies, Michael Warby, needed to worthless and irresponsible Turnbull. Despite the brave joint take a long rest. British documentaries, Roman suicide of Attard and her producer, Tim Palmer, the value of In one way the response to the The Great Global Warming accusations of left-wing bias actually Media Watch has probably been improved the ABC. I think it is better, Swindle, was shown during irreparably destroyed. at least in theory, that right-wingers prime time on ABC More serious is the case of the ABC and conservatives have a more Television... and Iraq. It was in part because of the prominent voice on the ABC than Murdoch press’s continuing support once they did. Gerard Henderson of for the catastrophic invasion and the Sydney Institute, who has moved occupation of Iraq that the Howard from Keating fan to Howard lover against left-wing bias at the ABC, government was able to escape the without so much as a word of however, did far more harm than political fall-out that it deserved, of explanation, is still heard regularly good. We live in a country where the kind that Bush in America and on Radio National’s Breakfast. He has 70% of the press is owned by the Blair in Britain faced. Senator Alston’s proven about as enduring, about as Murdoch corporation. As a result of attack on AM served as a salutary interesting and about as difficult to the campaign against left-wing bias, warning. The ABC has been muted in remove as a rock barnacle at Circular the kind of criticism that the ABC its criticism of government policy in Quay. On Insiders people like Andrew should be able to mount against its Iraq ever since. It is now aware of the

Page 17 dangers of “going too far”. On Iraq, typical example was the predictable It is uncontroversial that the ABC Television is now more likely to unwillingness to publish Chris second reason the Howard years were conduct an interview with Masters’ biography of Alan Jones. difficult for the ABC was financial. In Christopher Hitchens, who knows This nervousness on questions of the decade before the election of the next to nothing about the Middle political and ideological sensitivity Howard government the ABC’s East, than it is with Robert Fisk, a has mattered very greatly. On many revenue sharply declined in real journalist of strong views but also a terms. In 1997 it lost a further 10% profound understanding of the when the maintenance of the ABC’s region. Reasonably often, over the funding turned out to have been one past few years, both the architects of With the election of of John Howard’s non-core promises. the invasion of Iraq, like Harlan the Rudd government The ABC then reached a lower Ullman, the author of the idea of plateau of funding than at any time “shock and awe”, and its most there is some reason in the recent past. It has never really extreme right-wing supporters, like to feel optimistic recovered. William Kristol, Daniel Pipes, Robert In my view the main impact has Kagan, Mark Steyn or Frank Gaffney, about the future not been in the area of have appeared on Lateline. documentaries and news and current Appearances by left-wing opponents of the ABC. affairs, except for the ludicrous of the war have been rarer. In the foreshortening of television period before the recent election, if programs’ seasons, where Christmas ABC Television had interviewed domestic issues, like reconciliation comes earlier and ends later every people of similar ideological and the mistreatment and military year. Nor has it been so noticeable in extremity, like Noam Chomsky, John repulsion of refugees, the Howard the area of comedy where, despite Pilger or Tariq Ali, in my view the government acted in a manner that the political and fiscal stringencies, Howard government, the ABC board, would have shocked previous the ABC still manages to be the the Australian newspaper and the generations even of Liberal national nursery for comic right-wing commentariat would have parliamentarians. inspiration. Kath & Kim created an interpreted the interviews as evidence And on the most important enduring image of the new suburban of gross left-wing bias. For the ABC, international issues of our era – consumer culture no less memorable there would have been a considerable global warming, the War on Terror, than the one Barry Humphries had price to pay. As bullies understand, the struggle to reduce global poverty, long ago created of suburban life in intimidation works. the settlement of the the more modest ’50s and ’60s, with Let me take another equally Israel–Palestinian question – the Edna Everage and Sandy Stone. Kath important example. Almost certainly Howard government followed with & Kim allowed suburban Australians as a result of pressure from the board, lamb-like loyalty all the policies of to see themselves reflected in a Luna one of the most worthless and the Bush administration. As a Park distorting mirror, and to laugh irresponsible British documentaries, consequence, if a spectrum covering at what they saw without The Great Global Warming Swindle, the ideological positions of discomfiture, as if they were peering was shown during prime time on democratic governments on global simultaneously at a self-portrait and ABC Television, although the issues had been designed, the Howard at a portrait of a foreign tribe. Nor subsequent discussion was handled government would have found itself was this program an isolated with such intelligence by Tony Jones positioned alongside the Bush achievement. The anarchic Chaser that it probably had no effect. Yet in administration on the extreme Right. boys have revived and extended, to the same period the question of the On both domestic and international general amusement, the great Howard government’s deplorable questions, then, there has never been national tradition of what is denialist record on global warming, a time when intelligent criticism of technically known in this country as until very recent times, was an Australian government was more taking the piss, while Chris Lilley, in conspicuously avoided. This year two vital than over the past years, for the We Can Be Heroes and Summer important books on this topic were nation to have been able to see what Heights High, has provided an published, Clive Hamilton’s Scorcher it had become and even to see where astonishingly penetrating and and Guy Pearse’s High and Dry. So far Australia now stands in the perceptive portrait of the local as I am aware, Hamilton has not been community of nations. But there has variant on that more general interviewed on ABC Television. also never been a time when the ABC contemporary Western condition, the Pearse has appeared on Difference of was less likely to mount sustained culture of narcissism. Opinion, but even then was criticism of such a kind. The reason The main impact of ABC financial described, rather nervously, as the seems to me to be simple. The long decline and retreat is, rather, in the author of a “controversial” rather campaign about left-wing bias and area of film and drama. A recent than of an authoritative book. staff capture, mounted by the survey on Crikey revealed what I had Nervousness in matters connected government and its ideological long suspected, namely that drama with the most ideologically sensitive supporters, gradually reduced the on ABC Television has now not only issues of the day has represented the political self-confidence and thus the reached an all-time low as a prevailing mood of the ABC. A political independence of the ABC. percentage of overall spending, but

Page 18 also that, in the year 2006–07, of the criticism. If the political unrealistic even by someone as 20 most popular ABC television independence of the ABC has allowed friendly to the ABC as Simons. There dramas only two had been us to see more clearly what our are many different kinds of public domestically produced. I have also nation might be and what it has goods which necessarily compete read that Australian-produced drama become, imaginative ABC with each other. The impoverishment has declined from 100 hours in its commissioning of original film and of the ABC is not a natural state of heyday to a present, paltry 20 hours. drama has provided a variety of affairs. With an additional $100 When Matthew Parris of the national images, allowing us to see, million a year targeted at the more Spectator was recently in Australia, from many angles, the collective creative aspects of the ABC’s mission, he was only half-joking when he experiences that have contributed to that dimension of the nation which observed that he saw more British making us who we now are. None of one might call its spirit or its soul television in Sydney than he did in the series or dramas I have discussed would be enormously enriched. Why London. Despite my sincere would have been commissioned by is this hope foolish? appreciation of British television, all commercial television. The ABC as a Part 1 of this article may be found in this seems to me significant and patron of film and drama is far more Update Vol. 16 No. 7 disappointing. The ABC was once the important to the project of national most important supporter of this self-consciousness and self-criticism This essay, originally a talk given to the kind of Australian creativity. than it is customarily understood. Its Friends of the ABC, was first published in the December 2007 – January 2008 Often, in such different programs steep and steady decline in this area issue of The Monthly magazine. as The Road from Coorain, Brides of is of far greater national significance www.themonthly.com.au Christ, The Leaving of Liverpool, The than either side of politics is willing Shark Net, Changi and now Rain to admit. Shadow, ABC dramas have provided With the election of the Rudd reflections of Australia’s past and government there is some reason to present, allowing us to see in feel optimistic about the future of the individual stories the processes and ABC. The culture war will come Check out experiences through which the abruptly to an end. Without a national sensibility has been shaped. friendly government receptive to its Sometimes, as in The Fast Lane or bilious views, the right-wing our Grass Roots, they have provided commentariat will lose most of its memorable and unflattering images cultural clout. The absurdity of of what contemporary urban life and having people like Brunton, Website ! character is like. Sometimes, as in Albrechtsen and Windschuttle on the True Believers or Bastard Boys, they ABC board will also be instantly have provided the opportunity to transparent. In time, they will be • Want information on argue about our political history, and replaced. If they had any honour, reminded us, pace John Howard, that they would resign. As their presence the latest issues? history can never be told as an has completely delegitimised the uncontested, uncontestable, single- system of government control over • Need a printable perspective narrative. Sometimes appointments to the board, a what has been produced has collective sigh of relief will be heard membership genuinely broken new ground. I from all but the most blinkered application? think, for example, of John Clarke, cultural warrior when, as Kevin Rudd Bryan Dawe and Gina Riley’s series, has promised, a new more BBC-like The Games, where the curious quality system of non-partisan appointment • Current and past of life, both local and cosmopolitan, is introduced. issues of Update? in the media-drenched postmodern In my mind, the far less certain world was illuminated with genius. matter is that of future funding. I was • Who to write to? And sometimes, as in the idyllic interested to read in Margaret SeaChange – an enchanting fantasy Simons’ new book, The Content about the restoration of community Makers, that hopes for a serious in a fragmented world – a deceptively increase in funding for the ABC Go to: simple and gentle drama has allowed ought not to be entertained. I the nation to think about the way we wondered why this was so. In an www.fabcnsw.org.au live now, about what we ought to election campaign in which both value, about the kind of world that sides of politics promised tax cuts we have lost. over five years of more than $30 Or check out the National In my view, the role the ABC has billion and made other promises of played as sponsor of these kinds of an almost equivalent amount, it Portal (links to all states): distinctively Australian drama is no seemed to me astonishing that the less important than the role it has case for, say, a 10% increase in ABC www.friendsoftheabc.org.au played as a site of intelligent political funding could be dismissed as

Page 19 State and Regional Branches

National Web Portal Central Coast Illawarra Queensland – FABC links to all State Branches. John Hale Jan Kent (Secretary) Professor Alan Knight 21 Stephenson Rd Friends of the ABC Illawarra Creative Industries Faculty QUT Go to: Bateau Bay NSW 2261 PO Box 336, Unanderra 2526 GPO Box 2434 www.friendsoftheabc.org.au Phone: 4333 8107 Phone/Fax: 4271 3531 Brisbane 4001 [email protected] New South Wales [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Mal Hewitt (President) FABC NSW Cowper Mid North Coast Joyce Gardner (Secretary) PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 Drusi Megget ACT – FABC FABC Cowper Phone: 9637 2900 PO Box 1752 Jill Greenwell 7 Royal Tar Crescent [email protected] Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Nambucca Heads NSW 2448 GPO Box 2625 Phone: 6583 8798 Albury Phone: 6568 7532 Canberra ACT 2601 [email protected] Jim Saleeba [email protected] Phone: 6253 3531 [email protected] 621 Lindsay Ave. Eastern Suburbs Northern Rivers Albury NSW 2640 Nizza Siano (Secretary) Neville Jennings South Australia – FABC Phone: 6021 5690 16 Holland Rd PO Box 1484 Kingscliff 2487 Joan Laing [email protected] Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 Phone/Fax: 6674 3830 (H) PO Box 7158 Hutt St Phone/Fax: 9327 3423 [email protected] Armidale Adelaide SA 5000 [email protected] Phone/FAX (08) 8271 0751 Priscilla Connor Orange [email protected] 41 Judith Street Eurobodalla Bev Holland Armidale NSW 2350 Keith Simmons 26 Sunny South Crescent Western Australia – FABC Phone: 6772 3454 or 6772 2217 117 Beach Road Orange NSW 2800 Harry Cohen [email protected] Batehaven 2536 Phone: 6362 4744 PO Box 534 Phone: 4472 9898 [email protected] Subiaco WA 6904 Bathurst [email protected] Tracey Carpenter Parramatta [email protected] 76 Havannah St Great Lakes & Manning Valley Mal Hewitt Margaret Gardner Tasmania – FABC Bathurst NSW 2795 31 Queen St Granville 2142 PO Box 871 Forster NSW 2428 Melissa Sharpe Phone: 6331 8305 Phone: 9637 2900 Ph: 6554 9181 (H) 6591 3704 (W) PO Box 301 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] North Hobart TAS 7002 Phone: 0427 041 161 Blue Mountains Hunter Victoria – FABC [email protected] Bob Macadam Peter Brandscheid Friends of the ABC (Vic) 34 Lee Road c/o PO Box 265 GPO Box 4065 Winmalee NSW 2777 Merewether 2291 Melbourne VIC 3001 FABC RESOURCE CENTRE Phone: 4754 1620 Phone: 4943 8076 Phone: (03) 9682 0073 Darce Cassidy [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.friendsoftheabc.org

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