Your Questions Answered Introduction from the Chairman Justin Milne I want to thank everyone who took the time to send us questions as part of our first Annual Public Meeting (APM). We are pleased to publish our responses to all of your questions and provide relevant information about the issues that matter to you. The Annual Public Meeting provided us with a clear way to engage with you, our audience and owners. We would like to continue the conversation, and will create the opportunity for you to submit more questions later this year. We’re sorry that we didn’t have more time for you to ask questions live during the APM. Some audience members have expressed their disappointment that they were not given the opportunity to stand up and ask their question directly at the APM. If you do feel this way, please keep a look out for our ABC Open House events later this year where you will have a chance to ask questions in a town hall style meeting at your local ABC office in capi- tal cities and major regional locations. Thank you again for your commitment and passion for the ABC. We look forward to con- tinuing the conversation with you throughout the year. And if you are not already part of our Your Space feedback group please register1 so we can hear from you. Yours sincerely, Justin Milne ABC Chairman 1 https://www.abcyourspace.net.au/Portal/default.aspx ii AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Contents ABC Policy 1 Radio 17 Digital 56 News/ Journalism 62 Political/ Social Topics 80 Programming 98 Quality 130 Local and Regional Access/ Content 140 Other Topics 153 iii AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABC Policy Michael from Victoria asked: ABC Comedy seems like a good initiative but it seems to be lacking proper funding, resources and publicity to succeed. Would funds be better spent instead on focusing on boosting original comedy on the main ABC channel? ABC: Increasingly audiences are finding a lot of content online, and we made a strategic decision to broaden the remit of the digital channel on TV and offer more oppor- tunities for Australians on ABC COMEDY. It is much more than just a new look for ABC2. It’s a whole new content offering across multiple platforms and audience touchpoints, including TV, digital, online and audio. We feel it is an investment and commitment to original Australian comedy and entertainment, ABC COMEDY cre- ates more opportunities to bring the best comedy and entertainment to our audi- ences. John from the Australian Capital Territory asked: The ABC’s biggest weakness is its reliance on government funding. Progressive governments see the advantage of an unfettered media, and are happy to fund one. But with today’s resurgence of more restrictive government, what are your expectations into the future? ABC: On the contrary, our position as a publicly funded broadcaster is our greatest strength. It means we can operate independently, without fear or favour and adhere to a robust set of editorial policies that ensure Australians can and should expect the highest broadcast standards from us. And as the commercial media model becomes increasingly challenged, our position as a public broadcaster means we can deliver the strong and distinct voice Australians need to support their democracy. Our expectations for the future are that the ABC will remain fully funded so it can 1 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABC Policy continue to provide these wide range of services. A well-funded ABC is a strong ABC. Colleen from Victoria asked: How can we ensure political interference in the operations of the ABC is kept at bay? ABC: The ABC Charter enshrines the independence of the ABC. The Government of the day can share its views with the ABC, but has no legislative framework to interfere in the running of the ABC. Rebekah from Queensland asked: I’d like to know about the history involved with developing the kind of employment policies that are enabling of ABC employees, to be making viable reporting about sexual abuse in other media contexts. Have women always felt safe in ABC employment contexts, and if not, what changed, and how? ABC: The ABC has developed and implemented strong policies and practices to deal with such matters and we take any allegation of harassment very seriously and do not condone or tolerate any inappropriate behaviour. All ABC employees are made aware of and must abide by our discrimination, bullying and harassment policy at all times. Recently we have expanded these policies with the introduction of a peer scheme to allow our employees more opportunity to raise issues within a safe framework. We are constantly reviewing and updating these policies and processes to ensure they provide the correct level of support. 2 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABC Policy Natalie from New South Wales asked: Will the ABC be investing in more locally produced television drama? ABC: Yes. In 2018 the ABC plans to increase its local production spend by 18 per cent with the majority of that going to Australian Independent Production Companies. Drama will play a significant role in this investment in content. Nic from Victoria asked: Why doesn’t the ABC fully resource broadcasting into the Pacific islands through Radio Australia? Why has the ABC closed shortwave broadcasts to outlying islands that don’t have internet access, reduced the length of the flagship “Pacific Beat” program, closed the NZ bureau, failed to appoint a full time Pacific correspondent, shut down French language broadcasting and failed to erect new FM transmitters promised in 2016? ABC: The ABC ceased its shortwave transmission service in the Northern Territory and to international audiences on 31 January 2017. The move was in line with the national broadcaster’s commitment to dispense with outdated technology and to expand its digital content offerings including DAB+ digital radio, online and mobile services, together with FM services for international audiences. Savings resulting from decommissioning the service have been reinvested in a more robust FM transmitter network and an expanded content offering for the region that will include English and in-language audio content. The ABC remains confident the reinvestment from closing international shortwave services will maximise the ABC’s broadcast capabilities in the region. 3 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABC Policy Carol from Adelaide asked: After the recent allegations regarding Craig MacLachlan to show that he is starring in was removed from ABC iview pending investigations. Many people consider it a commendable move. My question is, Was the decision in line with an existing policy or given the changing climate where more women are coming forward, is it a policy that is in development and available to the public? thank you ABC: Following allegations against The Doctor Blake Mysteries principal cast member Craig McLachlan and a related police investigation, the ABC has made the decision to withdraw from iview series five of the program and the telemovie length final episode, both broadcast in 2017. A repeat broadcast of The Doctor Blake telemovie scheduled for 25 January was also withdrawn. These editorial decisions are made on a case by case basis considering all of the information available at the time. Elaine from Queensland asked: (1) What security can we have that our excellent ABC programs will be funded into the future without any ‘cuts’ and (2) will be also be extended to provide an even better service. ABC: As the Managing Director Michelle Guthrie said in her address at the APM, the ABC is deeply committed to the programs Australians have always loved and expected from the ABC, programs that are of high quality, distinctive and Australian. The Investing In Audiences strategy is based on this commitment and guarantees the ABC is focussed on decisions that ensure the best outcomes for its audiences. 4 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABC Policy Neville from Victoria asked: To protect the independence of the ABC, is there a need for the ABC to be funded differently to existing budget allocations? ABC: No. The ABC Charter enshrines the independence of the ABC. The Government of the day can share its views with the ABC, but has no legislative framework to interfere in the running of the ABC. Liz from Victoria asked: In relation to specialist content, it is clear that ABC management determines that specific social issue topics are to be embedded across all or most scheduled radio programs in any week and are aimed at changing public opinion. For example, topics selected usually relate to indigenous issues, the republic, public expenditure on selected social welfare measures, changes to prevailing legislation aimed at changing existing core social pillars. These are given extremely high broadcasting time on radio programming including news broadcasts and are both repetitive and tiresome as they proselytise. Many listeners no longer bother tuning in as they do not want to be subjected to endless haranguing. This is the cause of plummeting ratings across the full programming range. Where in the ABC Charter does management have the authority to exploit public funding for self-serving purposes? ABC: ABC Management does not direct programs to cover certain topics, and there is no agenda to proselytise in order to change social pillars. Our programs have a responsibility to explore issues of interest and importance to their audiences. 5 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABC Policy The ABC is governed by the ABC Act, which includes a Charter setting out our functions. These include: . Providing “innovative and comprehensive” broadcasting; . Contributing to a “sense of national identity”; .