Annual Report 2010-2011: Part 1 – About The
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join the conversation Annual Report 2011 This year’s annual report explores the ways that the ABC enables Australians to share, debate and engage in the national conversation. It demonstrates how the ABC is fulfilling its Charter by providing access to programs and platforms so that more Australians than ever can join Heather joined the conversation. Heather Thomas Ballarat Victoria Photographed by Marc Eiden, ABC Open producer Ballarat the conversation. IN 2010 –11, THE ABC continued to provide new and innovative ways for Australians to join the national conversation. ABC content was created and shared on-air, online and on mobile platforms. Audiences were enabled by social media and new technology to access and be a part of ABC content: the twitter feed on Q&A enabled audiences to interact with live panel discussions; apps on smartphones and tablet devices connected audiences with content on-the-go; audiences were kept up-to-date on their favourite programs via facebook; YouTube provided audiences with a sneak-peak at Angry Boys; video was contributed to Hungry Beast and shared with the world on the program’s website. The national conversation is a particularly important one for communities during times of emergencies. The ABC served a vital function not only in broadcasting accurate and timely information, but in helping communities recover in the months that followed. ABC Open is part of that lifeline, providing opportunities for stories to be shared, and communities to connect. Many of those stories are highlighted throughout this report. As the conversation space is changing, the ABC is a place where Australians are able to join in and be a part of that change. Ballarat musician HEATHER THOMAS joined the conversation in 2011 when she became a part of ABC Open’s WxSW project. For Heather, the project allowed her to combine her passion for music with her interest in filmmaking. “I not only got the opportunity to have a music video made for one of my songs, but to have the opportunity to make it myself”. Heather had been a religious listener of triple j. The youth radio network enabled her to discover new music, get the latest music news, get info on live shows and hear interviews with artists and bands which The “conversation” symbol inspired her. She describes triple j unearthed as “the is used throughout this report greatest tool for bands to get their music ‘out there’ to indicate examples of how and share it with others”. Australian audiences have joined the conversation. Find out more about how Heather’s conversation with ABC Open started on page 43. 1 Maurice L. Newman AC Chairman Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC Ultimo Centre 700 Harris Street Ultimo NSW 2007 GPO Box 9994 5 October 2011 Sydney NSW 2001 Tel. +61 2 8333 5135 Fax. +61 2 8333 2967 abc.net.au Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Minister, The Board of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation is pleased to present the Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2011. The Report is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983. It provides a comprehensive review of the ABC’s performance in relation to its legislative mandate and as a diversified media enterprise operating within a fast-evolving industry environment. This year’s editorial theme of the report – Join the conversation – highlights the increasingly collaborative relationship that the ABC has with Australians, and the many ways they engage with ABC content. Yours sincerely, MAURICE L. NEWMAN AC 2 About the ABC Corporate overview 4 1 ABC Vision and Values 5 Snapshot of ABC services 6 Role and responsibilities of the Board 12 ABC Board of Directors 12 Board Directors’ statement 16 Executive Leadership Group 20 Outlook for the year ahead 25 ABC strategic objectives 26 Audience experiences Content performance 28 2 Audience trends 31 Radio 36 Television 44 News 58 Online 63 International audiences 68 Consumer experiences 74 Running the ABC Systems and services performance 80 3 Editorial standards 83 Infrastructure and operations 86 ABC people 90 Corporate functions 96 Governance Corporate performance 100 4 Corporate governance 103 Performance against objectives 110 Government outcomes 118 Reconciliation Action Plan 124 ABC Advisory Council 127 Corporate responsibility Sustainability performance 130 5 Management of corporate responsibility 133 Environmental responsibility 137 Social responsibility 140 Financials Financial performance 148 6 Financial summary 151 Independent auditor’s report 155 Financial statements 157 Appendices Appendices 205 7 Glossary 260 Index 261 3 Section 1 About the ABC Corporate overview ABC Vision and Values Snapshot of ABC services Roles and responsibilities of the Board ABC Board of Directors Board Directors’ statement Executive Leadership Group Outlook for the year ahead ABC strategic objectives As Australia’s primary public broadcaster, the ABC strives to provide high-quality programming, independent news and information, and content that enriches Australian communities. 4 CORPORATE OVERVIEW 1 The ABC’s Vision Our Values is to be a trusted and The ABC is a truly independent innovative media organisation, media organisation for all Australians. Our values are the foundation of enriching the lives of all how we work. Australians and presenting Australian perspectives to Integrity—We act with trustworthiness, honesty and the world. fairness. We deliver on our commitments and are accountable. Respect—We treat our audiences Our Role and each other with consideration is to uphold the ABC’s Charter and dignity. We embrace diversity. by connecting with audiences Collegiality—We work together through distinctive content willingly. We cooperate and share in the ABC’s challenges and successes. that informs, educates and Innovation—We foster creativity entertains. and distinctiveness. We encourage new thinking and strive to achieve quality in all that we do. Integrity Respect Collegiality Innovation CORPORATE OVERVIEW 5 Snapshot of ABC services The ABC delivers Radio Online a wide range • Four national radio networks, and other platforms of services comprising ABC Radio National, • ABC Online, providing content across multiple ABC Classic FM, triple j and ABC available via streaming, platforms. NewsRadio (on the Parliamentary podcasting, vodcasting, and News Network) video-on-demand and • ABC Local Radio, comprising nine content uniquely designed for metropolitan radio stations, in broadband delivery capital cities and Newcastle, New • ABC services are also available South Wales, and 51 regional radio via SMS, 3G and other wireless stations throughout Australia devices including a range of • 10 digital radio channels in each applications for smartphones. mainland capital city, including simulcasts of the four national networks and metropolitan Local Radio services, as well as digital-only services ABC Dig Music, ABC Jazz, ABC Country, ABC Grandstand and ABC Extra, an occasional special events channel • All digital radio services except ABC Grandstand Digital are streamed online. ABC Dig Music and ABC Jazz are also available on free-to-air digital and subscription services. The four national networks and some Local Radio services are available via digital satellite subscription services. 6 CORPORATE OVERVIEW 1 Television International Commercial • ABC1, the ABC’s primary • Radio Australia, an international • ABC Retail, owning and managing television channel, available radio and online service 55 ABC Shops and licensing in analog format from 374 broadcasting in eight languages 111 ABC Centres throughout transmitters, and digital format by shortwave, satellite Australia. It provides a Customer from 350 transmitters and terrestrial rebroadcast Delivery Service that processes • ABC2, the ABC’s second free- arrangements to Asia and the orders via phone, fax, mail and to-air digital television channel Pacific online through ABC Shop Online (www.abcshop.com.au) • ABC3, a dedicated digital • Australia Network, an children’s channel international television and • ABC Publishing, managing a online service, broadcasting stable of lifestyle and children’s • ABC News 24 via satellite and rebroadcast magazines • iview, an internet-only catch-up arrangements to 45 nations • ABC Sales and Distribution, television service in Asia and the Pacific responsible for DVD, Program • Local television in each State • ABC International Projects, Sales Worldwide, licensing, and Territory. assisting media organisations Merchandising, Events, Library internationally with strategic and Non-Theatrics Sales advice, training, mentoring • ABC Music and Music Publishing, and technical support. releasing children’s, country, classical and contemporary music from Australian artists including recordings by the Australian symphony orchestras. The group also represents a number of Australian composers and promotes Australian music compositions and performances. CORPORATE OVERVIEW 7 Snapshot of ABC services Moscow London Beijing Kabul Tokyo Jerusalem New Delhi Bangkok Darwin Katherine Jakarta Port Moresby Kununurra Johannesburg Cairns Auckland Broome Townsville Karratha Mount Isa ABC international bureaux Mackay and news correspondents ABC office Longreach Rockhampton Alice Springs Gladstone Transmission information Bundaberg Radio ABC Radio (Appendix 18) Radio Australia (Appendix 19) Maroochydore Television Toowoomba