Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. quarterly newsletter August 2009 Vol 17, No.2 update friends of the abc Guess who’s coming to dinner?

and entertainment, local, national and A word from the NSW President - Mal Hewitt international, particularly in rural and NSW Friends of the regional Australia. ABC is delighted to The budget success of the ABC announce that the guest highlights the importance of Friends of of honour at the 2009 the ABC maintaining regular contact Annual Dinner will be with Federal Members of Parliament. distinguished ABC We must keep reminding Canberra that journalist and, for many the ABC is a vital part of the life of years presenter of the 7.30 Report, every Australian, and must receive Kerry O’Brien. Kerry will speak to us sufficient funds to enable it to about his long career with the ABC, continue to serve the Australian give us some insights into the community, as well as our neighbours workings of ABC TV’s flagship in Asia and the Pacific. One Federal program, and reflect on the many MP, when asked why the ABC did so hundreds of political and international figures he has interviewed over the years, as well as answer questions from inside the audience. If you have another Kerry Obrien Mark Scott thanks Friends of the engagement on Friday 2nd October, ABC for their support 3 cancel it! The dinner promises to be three years. There will be $67 million War on The Chaser 4 one of those memorable occasions in for the new digital children’s television What is the future for Friends of the the life of Friends of the ABC. Details channel (aiming for 50% Australian ABC in a more benign climate? 6 and booking arrangements can be content in 3 years), $70 million for found in the box on page 3 of Update. new Australian drama (most of which A better process, but what about the product? 8 Non-FABC members are most welcome will go to independent studios in co- to come. productions), and $15 million for A motherhood statement around 50 new regional broadband and a booby prize 9 FEDERAL BUDGET RECOGNIZES “hubs,” interactive local “town Fight for the mixed model of TV IMPORTANCE OF THE ABC squares” where individuals and production 9 In a very difficult budget climate, organizations will be able to Branch News 10 when in the space of a few months a contribute content and react to Too much screen time blanding $20 billion surplus very quickly material being broadcast. Again the us down? 13 became a $58 billion deficit, the ABC ABC will be a leader in new styles and was extraordinarily successful in techniques of communication, “Please keep broadcasting.” 14 receiving an increase in funding of highlighting the importance of the Nothing quite as it seems with almost $160 million over the next ABC as a source of news, information News and ABC International 15

Page 1 well, indicated that in pre-budget crammed into the Wentworth Falls Update Publication Information discussions in Canberra the ABC was School of Arts to hear an expert panel a recurrent theme amongst our of Mark Scott, Quentin Dempster and Update is published four times a year by political representatives. A letter from Annabel Crabb (SMH Journalist) discuss Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. (FABC), Mark Scott thanking Friends of the the positives and the pitfalls of the PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059. ABC for their support during the ABC’s digital future. Printpost approved PP245059/00002 budget process is reproduced The forum is reported in detail To become a member phone elsewhere in Update, along with elsewhere in Update, but I take the (02) 9990 0600 or email to further analysis from Darce Cassidy. [email protected] opportunity to thank and congratulate or access our website Without wishing to seem ungrateful the Blue Mountains Branch for yet www.fabcnsw.org.au. for the Government’s recent another outstanding example of local Extracts from newspapers and other generosity, it is necessary to point out branch initiative and organizational publications appearing in Update do not that the additional funds are tied to expertise. The forum has become an necessarily reflect the views of the specific programs, and that funds for annual event on the NSW FABC members of FABC. the daily operation of the ABC remain Update is distributed to all members of calendar, and is always stimulating and FABC, as part of the membership fee. desperately short (about half what challenging, as well as an opportunity Update is also supplied to journalists, they were in 1986 in real terms), to learn more about the ABC. politicians and libraries across Australia. particularly in news, current affairs It is edited and produced in Sydney but and radio, as the never-released FABC LIST - END OF AN ERA contributions are welcome from NSW country and interstate branches. KPMG report pointed out to the For a number of years, NSW FABC has Howard government. So the battle for Material may be quoted or reproduced provided members and non-members from Update provided the source is adequate funding must go on. Roger with an online forum to engage in acknowledged and reproduction is sent to Raven reminds us elsewhere that the President FABC. discussion and debate on ABC matters. Friends of the ABC still has a very Maintaining the list has been an Would you like to receive Update strong reason for existence. magazine electronically? onerous and time-consuming task, Save the planet's trees and The Friends NSW FRIENDS OF THE ABC carried out with great dedication by printing and postage costs and read Update Chris Cartledge. magazine on your computer. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Each quarter, when Update is published, you An invitation to our AGM on The time has come for Chris to will receive an email with a link to the latest “hang up his hat” on the list, and we issue (each magazine is around 0.5MB). Saturday 10th October is included in You can try this now by going to our this edition of Update. It is very clear express our deep appreciation to Chris website at www.fabcnsw.org.au and that Friends of the ABC still has a for the time, energy and expertise that clicking on Update. vital role to play in lobbying he devoted to the task. It was also If you prefer this delivery option for future politicians for funding and support, becoming increasingly difficult to Updates please send an email to the Membership Secretary. maintaining a healthy dialogue with maintain the list in the current format ABC management on aspects of and technology, so the decision has Who to write… policy and programming, and been made by the NSW executive that Anyone seeking basic information about writing to persons of influence might find it providing members with it will cease to operate. It is possible helpful to go to the FABC NSW website opportunities for further insights into that a similar online forum will be www.fabc.org.au where there are some ABC programs as well as opportunities developed in the future – anybody with menu items under "Be Active" leading to pages of information: Who can I write to? to meet ABC presenters. an interest in this should contact me. What can I say? At the AGM you will find out more Chris Cartledge continues the about FABC plans for the future, but important job of maintaining the FABC FABC (NSW) Executive Committee Office Bearers most importantly you will meet and website. President - Mal Hewitt hear Jonathan Holmes, another I also pay tribute to the work of two Phone: 9637 2900 veteran of a number of roles and other FABC stalwarts in Val and John Email: [email protected] programs in the ABC, and the current Carter, who for the past couple of years Secretary & Treasurer - James Buchanan presenter of Media Watch, that have been our mailout volunteers, Phone: 9371 5621 indispensable program which applies Email: [email protected] another onerous, repetitive but vitally the blowtorch to all types of media important job in maintaining Membership Secretary - Angela Williamson across Australia, including the ABC Phone: 9416 4463 communication with the membership. itself. Email: [email protected] We thank Val and John for their Update Editor - Mal Hewitt Please take the opportunity to have countless hours of voluntary service, PO Box 1391 N. Sydney NSW 2059 your say in future directions for Email: [email protected] but the baton has been passed to Friends of the ABC, as well as to hear Margaret Kitson, who continues this Cartoonist - Phil Somerville one of our most respected journalists work. Thank you, Margaret! Editorial Cartoonist for The Sun Herald and media commentators. (Sydney) [email protected] ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL BLUE Mal Hewitt Layout Artist - Paul Martens MOUNTAINS FORUM NSW President Membership Line: 9990 0600 On Sunday 26th July, over 250 people Friends of the ABC

Page 2 Mark Scott thanks Friends of the ABC for their support

changing media landscape, it was more NSW Friends of the ABC received important than ever that the ABC play a the following letter on 13th May: vital role in the lives of Australians Last night the Government announced a everywhere. The increased funding is a $58 billion deficit. In the light of this vital stepping stone towards enormous budgetary pressure, it is establishing the ABC as a great public pleasing that we can press ahead with broadcaster in a digital media era. our plans for new services and distinctive In doing this work, we had strong content. Our new Children’s Channel, support from industry partners and key ABC3, will be welcomed in the homes of community organizations like Friends of Australian families across the country. We the ABC. Thank you for your support are going to significantly increase the while our funding bid was considered by levels of Australian drama on ABC Government. The outcome does not Mark Scott television, working in partnership with the bring to an end our discussions with independent production sector. And Government around funding and regional and rural communities will strategic priorities and we will continue We also need to review our stretched benefit as ABC Local acts as a catalyst to engage over the role the ABC plays in operational budgets to ensure a focus and host for the development of rich new Australia’s digital future, including the on programming and service delivery. broadband material. allocation of new digital spectrum. The We have a lot of work to do, (but) the This increased funding, the largest creation of broadband content to take ABC approaches this new era with increase achieved by the ABC since the advantage of the National Broadband vigour and excitement. We look closely establishment of the corporation in Network will be a subject for discussion, to working with Friends of the ABC over 1983, is a robust vote of confidence in as will Australia’s international the coming years as we pursue our the work done by our people. Our broadcasting opportunities. goals of being a new media innovator, a Canberra strategy was based on Clearly, in these tough economic connector of communities and a trusted highlighting the ABC’s success as an times, we have not been funded for source of distinctive and unique innovator in new media, as a connector everything we wanted. We need to find content. of communities, and a provider of ways to press on with our moves into distinctive and unique content. We digital radio and continuous news. Yours sincerely, received strong support for our These areas are set to be very important Mark Scott conviction that, in this dramatically to the future of the public broadcaster. Managing Director

Date 2nd October. Come and join Time Doors open 6pm sit down 7pm, Location Cello's Restaurant* in the Kerry O’Brien Castlereagh Boutique Hotel 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. at our annual Cost $57 per person including two drinks. Bookings must be made via telephone to either Ivy 9481 0381 or dinner Joy 9502 2335 or Paul 9888 3797. Kerry will speak between courses *Cello’s Restaurant was opened in 1927 and is now with sufficient time to answer one of the last grand dining rooms in Sydney. your questions.

Page 3 War on The Chaser

isk-taking may not be the risks with comedy. Unlike the Both these shows, like The quality which first comes to commercial networks which take a Glasshouse before them, were run late Rmind when "ABC" is show off air after a couple of weeks if on a Friday night while the ABC took mentioned. However, controversy has its ratings are low, the ABC can allow its risk until audiences had grown, never been far from the ABC's the program time to develop and to and then they were given prime time programming. Even 'Playschool has attract its own audience. And what a in the middle of the week. And what had its share (remember 'the two triumph when the risk pays off! an excellent risk The Chaser proved to mothers' issue?); but that was mild be: in 2007 an average audience, compared with complaints of bias in nationally, of 1.4 million people. the coverage of topical issues like the As an illustration of the And the boom continued. As Iraq War (Radio National's AM) or recently as May this year the ABC climate change (The Great Global ABC's handling of a proudly proclaimed the return of The Warming Swindle on Lateline); or in distressing situation, it is Chaser's War on Everything - with an drama productions like Bastard Boys. telling that, in its apology, audience of 1.5 million people on its JJJ's feisty presenters often incur the the ABC acknowledged that premier showing. wrath of the public figures they don’t “in hindsight, we feel that www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/media/s25842 take seriously enough. 06.htm we should have alerted the Taking risks is what the ABC does - However risks, by definition, don't or should do. As a public broadcaster, Catt family to the situation in always pay off. Last week, two weeks the ABC has the huge advantage of advance of the broadcast.” after The Chaser's triumphant return, not being constrained by having to its sketch, Making a Realistic Wish deliver audiences to advertisers. It is Foundation, met with outrage and constrained, of course, by its various upset from a large slice of its audiences; but that is a very different The ABC had a comedy-ratings audience. The Chaser apologised, thing from the requirement to boom in 2007 with Summer Heights saying they hadn't intended to hurt conform to the standard of High and with The Chaser's War on anyone who had been affected by the acceptability of one mass audience. Everything (not hurt by the APEC stunt terminal illness of a child. They also The ABC can be more edgy than that. - which we must remember, however, teetered on precarious popularity for a mentioned that it was "a satirical And nowhere is that more evident while back then). sketch and black comedy". than in comedy. It is indeed a boast www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/media/s20258 www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/media/s25893 of the ABC that it can and does take 52.htm 38.htm

Page 4 Black comedy is surely the riskiest particularly creative and idiosyncratic 60s to a new Australian sense of form of comedy; it mentions the position? humour including Aunty Jack and unmentionable and brings taboo However, Amanda Duthie has been Norman Gunston which he produced. subjects into the open. In making removed from her position as Head of Lamenting that after 51 years the fun of the unfunny it can bring into television comedy for her error of ABC remains "BBC South" he went to the light of day subjects which are judgment, even though it is her to ask: usually shaded by the conventions of judgments that have brought such "What will historians write about the polite society. Think back to Aunty glory - and audiences - to ABC ABC of 2007? It won't be the quiz Jack, The Norman Gunston Show, viewing. To move her aside is to caste clones, news or current affairs clones, the Mother and Son - or to the British a chill over her, or whoever succeeds lack of drama, or the appallingly inept productions Little Britain, The Office. her in creative decision-making. The jtv. It will be The Chaser's War on Who would dare to criticise the risks in taking an inventive decision Everything, the only original show on playing on our emotions or the will become too high to take. Australian TV". exploitation of our guilt by an Why not do what the ABC did in a organisation which brings a little situation at least as controversial in Jill Greenwell Summer Heights High? happiness to the life of a terminally Vice-President Friends of the ill child? No one much; with the It was not until three weeks into ABC (ACT & Region) result that very few will say - what the popular 2007 series that the ABC Suresh Viswanathan wrote to the realized "the extremely unfortunate Sydney Morning Herald (5 June) - that co-incidence" that one of its what a dying child wants is two characters had the same name, and things: to get better and to go home; some similar qualities, as a young it would be much better for people woman, Annabel Catt, who had died to donate to the research which has of a drug overdose in February of found cures for many formerly that year. terminal illnesses. The ABC admitted that it became This is not to justify everything aware of the horrible co-incidence about black comedy in general or eleven days after completion of the Check about this skit in particular; errors of production, but that had been two taste can be made; the unfunny may years in the making and could not be remain unfunny; but its place in the changed. out our scheme of satire is a daring one, and As an illustration of the ABC's that makes demands on the handling of a distressing situation, it Website! broadcaster. is telling that, in its apology, the ABC In Media Watch this week Jonathan acknowledged that "in hindsight, we Holmes itemised those demands: feel that we should have alerted the that if content looks as if it might be Catt family to the situation in controversial, the producer should advance of the broadcast." • Want information on the either notify someone higher up the www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/media/s20423 37.htm latest issues? chain of command or ask their approval for it to go to air. In this All of which seems perfectly understandable: an admission that • Need a printable case Amanda Duthie, Head of Arts, distress had been caused, an apology, Entertainment and Comedy at ABC membership application? an explanation for the show going Television, did neither of those ahead, and an acknowledgement that, things. • Current and past issues in hindsight, the people who the ABC of Update? As Jonathan Holmes summed up, knew would be distressed should have the problem was "a single manager been informed about the show before • Who to write to? who made a bad decision. And that it went to air. will always be a risk, whatever the It is less understandable to move an system". executive sideways, unless blandness www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcript s/s2592383.htm\ is what you understand as comedy. Go to: Risk again - but risk-free comedy The ABC should take to heart the www.fabcnsw.org.au production is horribly likely to be comments made by a former ABC comedy-free production. Surely one creative chief, Maurice Murphy, on error of judgment, from the ABC's the occasion of the ABC's 75th Or check out the National former Commissioning Editor and birthday celebrations in July 2007. Portal (links to all states): Executive Producer responsible for At Sydney Morning Herald, June30 -July 1 2007, p.13 www.friendsoftheabc.org.au the Movies, The New Inventors, First He was writing about the Tuesday Book Club, Painting Australia, development from a very English- Spy Shop - must be allowed for in a oriented ABC television diet in the

Page 5 WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR FRIENDS OF THE ABC IN A MORE BENIGN CLIMATE?

Roger Raven, While there is sometimes some • in-house versus out-house production overlap the result is not much (i.e. flogging-out), particularly TV former improved. True, the last Budget “will • fees for archival material WA FABC provide the ABC with $136.4 million in President, new funding over the next triennium to • policy on inter-FABC conflicts support the ABC's plans for an writes: advertising-free, digital children's • a supportive culture for effective television channel and a significantly campaigning increased annual output of new • pressuring the ABC to be open, oward Government hostility Australian drama”. But though towards the ABC made the big including accepting legitimate FoI welcome, the drama funding is not requests Hissues quite simple. As the enough even to meet Labor’s election struggle over Board appointments has commitment “to require ABC television • seeking more quality and depth at been won by FABCs, and the Rudd meet the Australian drama production Radio National Government has none of the overt standards met by the commercial • relatively low pay levels at the ABC hostility of Howard et al, the topical networks”, since 120 hours per year of compared to private broadcasters issues have become less sharp and less broadcast TV drama is required, but the simple. Now, the issue is more the funding is likely to provide 90. ABC3, • probing transmission and distribution challenges posed by the differences the digital children's television channel, costs and arrangements between the ABC as senior management is an addition that will further stretch is running it, and our ideal of the ABC as the ABC’s support resources (yes, the • funding, both more and untied an excellent independent public backroom people – researchers, broadcaster should be. • opposing media spin, sensationalism, archivers, librarians, translators &c do and deceit While all who want an dynamic and matter), though welcome enough in progressive support group for the ABC itself. It is of course intended to assist Some specialisation within and will be disappointed at the loss of the the government’s desire to increase the between FABCs would seem even discussion list, I for one hope it may be adoption of digital TV receivers. more desirable than usual. resurrected at some stage, in some Very few of those can be successfully form. We are all well aware of the There is plenty of material for sub- pursued by way of petitions, or by criticisms that could (sometimes fairly) campaigns by FABCs: respectful murmurs from within the be made of it, but such things are there • bias and self-censorship at the ABC tent. Effective action will require to benefit the organisation, not discussion and planning and research, individuals. Anyway, a big thank you to • opposing political pressure on the ABC and a willingness to politely – but firmly! NSW FABC and Chris Cartledge for • pressing for the reintroduction of a – disagree with senior ABC running it for so long. staff-elected director. While the management, government, and non- Even funding is not the straight reintroduction of a staff-elected government politicians. forward issue that it was - is the sort of director was promised, when? Another good example is the Nolan ABC being created by Maurice Newman approach to appointing directors. and Mark Scott the sort for which we • opposing “contestable funding” While it is a great improvement on the can enthusiastically petition for more • reaching a position on a full or partial Howard approach, it does not – nor money? merger of ABC and SBS was it ever intended to – guarantee that I’d submit that the cumulative effect we’d have no grounds for criticism or of most extra funding being tied is that • reaching a position on the ABC being disagreement. But, again, whereas the ABC’s structure is now seriously flogged-off once sweeping criticism would suffice, now our criticisms will require more distorted into an untied-funded portion • pursuing SBS issues to the extent that discussion and planning and research. that supplies the truly necessary and they are relevant to ABC issues popular services, and the tied-funded While “$15.3 million to encourage portion for those bits of the ABC that • campaign strategies and assist the development of user return a political dividend to the generated content and to establish • examining the extent of government of the day. Untied general- community web sites and portals, excellence/quality at the ABC purpose funding appears to comprise creating 'virtual town squares' for only about 10% of the last Budget • paid advertising on "non-core" ABC communities to share experiences” is increase. websites clearly useful, FABCs would seem

Page 6 entitled to complain about the lack of managements and by governments. In sensationalism, ABC News seems more extra funding for the ABC’s mainstream Howard-speak, and to some extent in and more like a centrefold Murdoch services such as Radio National. Rudd-speak too, Radio National may be tabloid. It has also been said that “there In that context, the NSW President unpopular because it may be seen as are a lot of people now in particularly noted, “There was no sign that the ABC “our enemies talking to our friends”, but local radio, who've never had training as will reverse the programming decisions we need that sort of conversation much a journalist [but] who are asked to do recently made [to Radio National], and more than we need the mindless and interviews with politicians, [and] with Mark was either unwilling or unable to empty (and voluminous) chattering of various members of the community”. react to our expressed concern that twitter or facebook. Mark Scott has made it quite clear that recent changes have provoked an Unfortunately, there is little to indicate there will be money for the new News unusually strong reaction amongst that Mark Scott, Maurice Newman, or facilities, but that Radio National and listeners, or that the ABC stands to gain the Board value such an ideal. Indeed, NewsRadio will have at best nothing from a more consultative approach.” It the closure of Radio Eye and other more. is hard to avoid the conclusion that programmes, the sale of ABC content, Indeed, as more production is serious action will have to be visible. the advertising on ABC-associated flogged-out, and the ABC’s output It seems clear that Radio National is websites, and talk (well before becomes higher in quantity and lower in being cut both in funding and in status Murdoch’s recent comments on news- quality, flogging it off becomes both in comparison to the 24-hour-a-day articles-for fees) of charging fees for easier and more attractive. Or Sydney newsroom approach. Quentin Dempster archive access, all suggest quite the Institute or the Institute of Public Affairs and others would seem correct to opposite. Their focus on making the could put forward yet another voucher suggest that “Radio National listeners ABC more of a leader in technological approach, in which ordinary people can are now seen by management as split change has real merit, but change for be deluded that they have real choice, between those over 50 who listen to its the sake of being the first to change has but the reality being that quality is content via broadcast radio lost all sensible perspective. Their aim ignored, profit is all that matters, and ["radiophonics chin strokers"] and those seems more to convert the ABC into the consumer is left with choice - under 50 who listen to podcasts and another Murdoch media clone, with its perhaps a wide choice - of equally bad other online content - a brutal and technical "leadership" being more to services. imprecise way of looking at your ensure that the post of ABC MD To answer my earlier question, the audience”. remains the most prestigious in the ABC indeed does seem to need a better Australian media. Yet we would generally agree that direction. FABCs are relatively well- Radio National is the jewel in the ABC’s Quality requires quality resources, placed to provide it. So FABCs crown. Indeed, a funding campaign quality people, and a management sometimes should not support what the focussed specifically on Radio National committed to quality. Both in its lack of ABC is doing, but push our own view of would seem fully justified, given its any obvious scrutiny of the stories that what an excellent and independent neglect both by successive ABC come its way, and its trivialisation and public broadcaster should do.

Notice of Annual General Meeting 10 October 2009

The Annual General Meeting Our guest speaker will be of Friends of the ABC (NSW) Jonathan Holmes, prominent Inc. will be held at: ABC presenter and current host of Mediawatch. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Following the address, Level 1, which will be at 1.00 pm, 280 Pitt Street, the meeting will commence Sydney (Between Park and with presentation of reports, election of office bearers Bathurst Streets) and general business. We Saturday 10 October 2009, expect the meeting to commencing at 1.00 pm. conclude by 4pm.

Page 7 In a study of the evidence presented at the inquiry, published in the A better process, academic journal Human Relations, Dr André Spicer argued that the ABC- Telstra deal was an attempt "to shift the broadcaster's website from being a but what about technology used to achieve public service goals to being a revenue generator". the product? A key part of the deal was for the ABC to provide news for display on Darce Cassidy independence and integrity of the Telstra's website, where it would be Corporation". surrounded with advertising. In return The new method of appointing staff the ABC would receive a substantial to the Australian Broadcasting Were the members of the selection fee. Commission (ABC) and Special panel aware for example, that as Broadcasting Service (SBS) boards is Acting Director of Corporate Relations But the deal went well beyond certainly more open and transparent. at the ABC, Dr Julianne Schultz's was simply supplying a news feed. It also However this process, in itself, has not involved in a past attempt to tie the potentially gave Telstra even more guaranteed good decisions. ABC into a strategic commercial influence over the ABC than a alliance with Telstra - arguably commercial advertiser would have The old appointment process was Australia's largest, most powerful, and over a commercial broadcaster. The conducted in private - almost in most aggressive communications proposed agreement allowed Telstra to secrecy. Vacancies were not advertised. organisation? "consult" with the ABC about future No selection criteria were disclosed. If content, co-productions and e- there was a selection committee that In recommending her appointment commerce ventures. In effect, Telstra made recommendations to the to the minister, were the nomination could have input to the ABC editorial minister its membership was not panel aware of the Senate inquiry into process (although the ABC would not disclosed. There was a widespread the ABC Telstra deal, and Dr Schultz's have been legally bound to accept perception that both Labor and advocacy of the ABC relationship with Telstra's suggestions). Coalition governments had stacked Telstra at that inquiry? the board with their supporters. Dr Schultz is a distinguished The "terms sheet" made available to the Senate envisaged the ABC On the face of it the new process academic and is very highly regarded promoting Telstra's Easymail service established by the Rudd government, as the founding editor of the Griffith and that wherever possible the ABC as promised in the election campaign, Review. She is also a former senior would use Telstra's broadband service is a great improvement on the old. executive with the ABC. However in as a back channel. The ABC and Vacancies were advertised. A this role her advocacy of the Telstra Telstra would be obliged to treat each nomination panel was chosen alliance has been criticised by a fellow other on a "most favoured nation" consisting of Ric Smith AO PSM, academic, by unions representing ABC basis. Professor Allan Fels AO, Leneen Forde staff, by former members of the ABC AC and David Gonski AC. The panel board, and by Friends of the ABC. This caused distinguished was well qualified and non-partisan. Fortunately the proposal was leaked investigative journalist and former More than 300 expressions of interest before a contract between Telstra and ABC board member Quentin were considered. the ABC could be signed. The Senate Dempster to describe the ABC-Telstra relationship as a "strategic alliance". However, under the ABC Act established an inquiry at which He told the inquiry that this alliance members of the ABC board are Schultz, as the main witness for the involved the ABC: required "to maintain the ABC, pursued the management position forcefully. ...in a fully commercial business plan

Page 8 with another operator and a delivery She told the hearing that it might be signed. The new ABC Managing system. This arrangement will cause us necessary to pursue an increasingly Director Jonathan Shier killed it, not all sorts of trouble with Optus, with any commercial approach that; "would because it was too commercial, but other player. I am basing this on my involve a fundamental change in because he thought the ABC was bitter experience being on the board of the direction to move into a very selling its content too cheaply. ABC as we did a deal with Fairfax and commercial space where very large Julianne Schultz is a very Cox Communications for pay TV. amounts of money are being spent intelligent person. As she joins the In evidence before the inquiry at this stage for very little return but ABC board we must hope that she Schultz was unapologetic about the for great speculative gain.” has learned from her earlier commercial thrust of the Telstra deal. Fortunately the deal was never experience.

Fight for the mixed A MOTHERHOOD STATEMENT model of TV production – the AND A BOOBY PRIZE problem with ABC outsourcing How the public broadcasters Meanwhile over at the SBS each got its just deserts in the Managing Director Shaun Brown and production. federal budget his board were following in the Mark Scott made it difficult for the footsteps of the discredited Sol We hear claptrap from management government to say no to the major Trujillo and the Telstra Board. Like about their willingness to make the best part of the ABC’s funding requests. Telstra the SBS board and programs available. But when the best The ABC’s plans for a dedicated management managed to antagonise is inside the ABC, and program makers like Dr Richard Smith, the producer of commercial-free children’s TV both their customers (the viewers) Crude, are denied the opportunity of channel amounted to a motherhood and the government. making programs …. why? Because Thousands of viewers complained statement. The ABC was promising a ABC management has made it clear channel that mothers (and fathers) about Brown’s decision to interrupt that it prefers to do business with the could trust to entertain and educate programs with advertisements. private sector (and let us stop this their children without pushing junk Senator Conroy, both in opposition nonsense about calling it the food at them. and later as the Communications ‘independent’ sector - independent The budget provided the ABC with Minister also questioned the practice. of what?). $136.4 million in new funding over Pursuit of the advertising dollar also Lest this reply be taken as a blind the next triennium to support the resulted in SBS TV moving away from defence of internal production, the children’s channel and significantly its multicultural charter. Programs in CPSU acknowledges that some of the increased annual output of new languages other than English are most imaginative program material on our screens comes from the private Australian drama. being crowded out of prime time, production sector and could not have while scarce funds have been directed The ABC was also successful in been produced inside. That is in part to the underwhelming Australian getting funds to improve its regional caused by the ABC’s need to secure services. After mothers and children, version of the motoring program Top additional sources of finance not who is more deserving in the public Gear. available to internal producers. It is mind than the battlers in the bush? The ABC based its funding bids on also because the internal workforce The ABC will receive $15.3 million the concept of public service, and does not claim to have a monopoly over three years for the regional and won first prize of $165.3 million. over creative ideas. rural broadband initiative. This will The SBS board and management The ABC works best as a mixed provide more than 50 enhanced ABC acted like boobies, and received a model ... where the best creative ideas local broadband hubs in regional booby prize of $20 million. get to our screens. The ABC can areas. The ABC will create provide a ‘safe port’ for producers, a This is a tragedy for the SBS, which community websites and portals and training ground for up and coming TV, despite recent shortcomings, is still a feature film and on line workers, and create online avenues for local unique and valued organisation. Just opportunities to produce programs communities to connect and as the Telstra board looks like it is re- that are different from the collaborate. evaluating the Trujillo years, so it is commercials. There will also be an additional time for the SBS Board, which has just “But the production model now $13.6 million over three years to help acquired two new members with used is one sided; one that works to the ABC maintain its asset base. impressive credentials, to review the disadvantage of the ABC, its In all, the ABC will receive an program output in the light of its audiences and the private sector additional $165.3 million over the public service obligations. producers.’ triennium. Darce Cassidy Graeme Thomson CPSU

Page 9 He then began to play us a Freburg sketch which was a sendup of Dragnet, and when the tape recorder failed, Nick, like the trouper he is, completed the sketch for us himself. Branch News He then played some of his own very funny sketches. One, which is now school hard to cope with, particularly banned from the ABC, advertised a Illawarra when the other kids dismissed him as car alarm where the deterrence signal took the form of extracts from Nick Rheinberger talks to a poofter because he obviously enjoyed talking to girls – a commentary by a well-known sports the Illawarra Branch of contradiction he found hard to get commentator. Nick was told the ABC FABC his head around! Even when he had barely averted legal action over defeated the school bully in a fight by this! One truly brilliant sketch took On August 9, just over fifty members using a Judo throw, his victory didn’t the form of a fake promo for a of the Friends gathered for a 9 a.m. count because it was held he didn’t dramatization of Lady Chatterly’s breakfast at the Links Golf Course fight fair. Only when he performed Lover which would supposedly be restaurant at Shell Cove, Illawarra. with great success as a comic played on ABC radio. The extract After a substantial and satisfying meal character in a school play, was he contained in the promo designed to in very pleasant surroundings, we finally accepted. entice listeners featured Geraldine were addressed by Nick Rheinberger, a Doogue as Lady Chatterly and Peter Presenter at our local ABC radio Cundall as the gamekeeper, Mellors. station, 97.3FM. Nick had braved the It was wonderfully funny! cold weather and an early start from We are very grateful to Nick for the Southern Tablelands, where he coming to talk to us and making our lives, to arrive at Shell Cove in time social gathering such a success. to join us – a particularly noble act in view of the fact that, as he told us Dorothy Jones with considerable vehemence, he is temperamentally unsuited to early rising, despite his many years of Blue Mountains presenting breakfast programmes. He REPORT ON BLUE MOUNTAINS began with some good news for FORUM Illawarra listeners. The ABC is about On Sunday July 26th, over 250 people to get a new studio in Wollongong attended the 2009 Forum organized and staff are looking forward to by the Friends of the ABC, Blue moving from their current Mountains branch at Wentworth Falls overcrowded quarters where the School of Arts. It was a great occasion equipment is officially the oldest in Dorothy Jones thanks Nick Rheinberger for a for all stakeholders in the ABC to the ABC. He pointed out that the great talk. have direct access and hear from their potential listening audience in the Managing Director, Mark Scott and region is officially 400,000 and that At university, Nick took greater two very prominent media listeners tune into Illawarra radio interest in writing and performing in personalities, Annabel Crabb and from as far away as the Blue student reviews than in his studies Quentin Dempster on the Digital Mountains. There are also hopes that and eventually became a professional Revolution, its perils and payoffs for the new extended premises will lead busker with a group of friends who the ABC. Everyone has an interest in to the appointment of more staff. called themselves the Pickled the ABC either as a listener or a tax Nick, who has worked for many Herrings. His first radio job was as a payer and this was an opportunity for years as a comedy writer for comedy writer for the breakfast show everyone to listen and question ABC Australian radio and TV, then gave us at a Canberra radio station where he management and media personalities a highly entertaining account of the had to start work at 4.30 a.m. because about this topic. progress of his early career. His his job required him to comb through Mark Scott assured the audience father, who worked as an auctioneer the first edition of the daily that the ABC had approached the in Narrandera, provided such good newspapers for sources of comic government before the last budget as comic patter that even people who comment. He then ended up in a a confident, innovative organization had no interest in what was being variety of breakfast shows in different who could help deliver solutions to auctioned came from far and wide to parts of the country writing comic some government problems especially listen to him. Both of Nick’s parents material. He told us that writing is those related to greater children’s were keen amateur stage performers easy, it’s the rewriting which is hard programming; increasing the content in musical shows regularly staged at and he also explained how important standards of Australian drama and as Narrandera. When the family moved an influence the American comedian the broadband revolution to Dubbo, Nick found the change of Stan Freburg had been on his work. approached, help the delivery of

Page 10 Branch News media throughout rural and regional accusations of bias in relaying August. Steve is presently presenting Australia. Scott emphasized that the information. the five part series on ABC 1 titled money available must go towards The audience then asked many “Whatever!The Science of Teens.” worthy content so that any ‘razor probing questions and we were While this program may not be a big gangs’ of the future will be unlikely to assured that the production of many drawcard for some of our older cut the levels of budget allocation to ABC programmes in conjunction with members, we are hoping to attract a the ABC because of its excellent other companies will enable it to younger audience as well. standards. He stressed the excitement draw on a lot more talent and allow a John Hale of the digital radio with its crystal lot more flexibility. quality of sound and ability for extra There is an exciting era of broadcasting in the same bandwidth. interactivity ahead of us due to the Scott mentioned the crisis engulfing Cowper digital revolution and this should tradional news enable us to become more, rather As all seems quiet on the ABC front of outlets globally than less, critical of the information late, no political parties attacking, no as newspapers being presented to us. attacks from within management of and their the ABC, no staff attacking audiences are Look out for future events management, except the Chasers War moving online. organized by the Blue Mountains on attacking its feet…..it has been a This is branch of the Friends of the ABC in good time to contemplate all things increasing the our area. ABC. Our committee has come to the importance of Pam Fitzpatrick conclusion that the good ship ABC is Annabel Crabb ABC radio in calm waters and sailing well! journalists as commercial radio gave away news Central Coast June saw Cowper Branch hold its journalists years ago. A.G.M., which was well attended, with all committee positions filled. Annabel Crabb picked up the point Mark Scott’s positive assessment of of newspapers’ demise and referred to the Federal government’s funding for This year we turned to our ‘Local herself as a representative of a dying the ABC seems to have quenched the ABC’ for our guest speaker. We asked branch of the media. She stressed the FABC fire in the belly for the time Helen Merkell who is journalist in problems of the 24 hour news services being. charge of news for the Mid North Coast region to speak to us about her with could lead to lazy journalism Some discussion in our branch has very interesting life, how the news is exaggerating the significance of the been around the value of having a gathered and put to air. items they are reporting to fill the second TV station that may consume excess space available without funds that might be better spent on Before joining the ABC, Helen spent investigating the merits of what is programs and Australian content for many years overseas in south east being reported. She feels this could ABC1. Asia, Japan, India, Africa the United lead to a generation of cowards in Members have taken part in the politics who are afraid to express their forum on the media organised by the opinions or emotions as they are Community Network Unit of the immediately reported to the world. Gosford Uniting Church, titled “Does There is a challenge for journalists to the ‘tale’ wag the dog?” These forums give deeper thought in their coverage which include a variety of topics, give of politician’s comments. the opportunity to show the FABC Quentin Dempster reiterated Mark flag and gain two or three new Scott’s point that if the digital members. On 2 August we organised revolution is used to increase the an information table at the local quality and Australian content of the “Footprint Festival” which created Jane Mc Leod talking to Helen Merkell ABC’s programming this will some interest, but we will have to definitely deter any future downsizing wait to see if States and Latin America. Because she of the national broadcaster. He is the spent some years at school in Spain as confident the digital revolution will membership a child, Helen is fluent in Spanish and increase the quality of regional and forms taken, spent much of her time in central rural broadcasters and that the drams become new America working with films and being produced will be edgier and members. television news crews covering the more confronting. He stressed that political upheavals in Nicaragua, El the creative independence of the ABC We are if so important as is the training of looking Salvador and Guatemala. young broadcasters and the diversity forward to an When she first joined ABC Radio, of content. He repeated many times Evening with she was a casual reporter, attached to that critical analysis is the most Steve the Kempsey newsroom by phone, important role of journalists but it Cannane on typewriter and fax. However, after Steve Cannane must be even-handed to prevent Friday 21 putting the case to management that

Page 11 Branch News

live broadcast from the festival on and a seminar for media students on Friday 7 August. the following morning. An SBS officer The Northern Rivers branch has is organising most of publicity and helped to organize two Living the regional ABC station is assisting, Connections seminars in Tweed not least by broadcasting an interview Heads and Lismore in recent months. with Anton. It was thought These seminars have featured panels appropriate to invite Anton as this of people from diverse backgrounds year’s speaker in view of the exploring the ways in which their relationship between the two public personal beliefs have developed and broadcasters and the group’s concern how those beliefs provide a for both. Moreover, Anton came to a connection with the local neighbouring village a few years ago Tony Waugh (President) talking to Dina environment and community. The as its Australia Day ambassador.There Wallbank after the AGM. aim to is generate discussion of he met Friends’ current president, a fellow émigré from Southern Africa, Coffs Harbour warranted a high who has been keen that more people profile presence, the ABC built a state- could learn of his experiences and of-the-art studio in the city's CBD. charm. Recently, March this year, saw this The mention of Armidale often studio go under water in Coffs evokes comments from outsiders on Harbours devastating floods, causing its cold climate – an impression that hundreds of thousand dollars in ABC weather forecasts and reports can damage. reinforce.Certainly it was a chilly Helen said that, as a radio journalist morning that the committee set up its she is trained to present the news in Rabbi Serebryanski talks to Bunjalung Elder stand at a late April monthly 15, 30, or 60 second grabs and Dorothy Gordon at the Tweed Heads Living market.Its banner, ‘join the Friends of Connections Seminar. thought it was going to be a problem the ABC’, evoked much warm speaking for over a half an hour. As discussion, the recruitment of 17 new you can see from above she had no philosophical, scientific and members and a number of renewals. problem. A wonderful, informative theological ideas at a local level. The Perhaps the bright sunshine and and interesting talk. seminars are linked to the local ABC brilliant autumn colours played their Martin Miller web site. To access the Living part. Connections group discussions go to The Armidale and surrounding “Contribute” on local ABC web sites. communities have been generous in Northern Rivers Contributions from people in other supporting FABC’s fundraising branches are welcome. In the future functions. This enabled the group in Over the past decade, the Northern there are plans to hold similar November last year to hold a film Rivers branch of the Friends of the seminars in Byron Bay and Grafton. evening at which Julie Rigg was a ABC has been a strong supporter of At a brief AGM on 13 August speaker and through which $1000 the Byron Bay Writers festival. At the existing members of the executive was raised in support of the annual most recent festival in the first were elected for another term. Branch International Film Festival. Friends weekend of August, ABC identities president Neville Jennings is keen to are pleased to report that, on the such as Kerry O’Brien, Michael hear from any supporters in the weekend of July 31st-August 2nd, 13 Cathcart, Jane Hutchin and Elly Northern Rivers region who would movies were shown to packed houses. Varrenti made substantial like to join the branch executive. Organiser of the festival were also contributions to the program. On site Neville Jennings - President grateful to regional radio based in also were Geoffery Robertson, Tim Tamworth for the superb publicity Bowden and Robert Dessaix – all of which it gave in the weeks prior to whom are well known to ABC viewers Armidale the festival. and listeners. ABC North Coast had a In the spirit of such cooperation SBS newsreader, journalist and author, FABC(Armidale) wants to donate Anton Enus, is visiting Armidale in funds to the municipal library for the early September at the invitation of purchase of ABC books, CDs and the local FABC group. It is DVDs. First it is seeking the approval cooperating with the Faculty of Arts of its members.The conditions for the at the University of New England and gift would be that the library buy with TAFE to have Anton share his direct from the ABC, that each item expertise and enthusiasm with their displays an acknowledgement of students. Anton will give a public donor, and that media publicity be Kerry O'Brien and Geoffrey Robertson at the lecture in the Arts Theatre on the given to FABC for the donation. Byron Bay Writers Festival. evening of Thursday 3rd September Priscilla Connor

Page 12 Too much screen time blanding us down?

We welcome the ABC’s proposal to provide a dedicated Children’s Channel, ABC3, to be launched later in 2009 which we understand will cater for teenagers as well as toddlers and inbetween. But can children have too much television?

The eminent British brain scientist one is hurt, where everything is just a Biggins would like to forge ahead Susan Greenfield told ABC Television's game, where everything is reversible, with some Australian research but, as Kerry O'Brien the other day that six a bit like cartoon characters". has been the case for many years, is hours or so a day with a computer She went on: "I remember when I hamstrung by lack of financial can effectively disenfranchise you was a kid watching Popeye (the resources. Regularly bailed out by from the real world. Greenfield, who popular television cartoon sailor kind hearts in the Rann state heads the Centre for the Science of character). He used to be steamrolled Government and by the occasional the Mind at Oxford University, was over into two dimensions. But he'd project grant from Canberra, the talking predominantly about young jump up again in the next frame." council goes from year to year people and social networking sites. without an assured funding source. O'Brien ignored Greenfield's advice, But it doesn't require lurid Thus can Biggins lean towards the declining to argue and opting to let imagination to transfer many of her trenchant about both the Rudd her run. It was an absorbing interview warnings across the wider computer- federal Government and John and as it progressed the scribe found dominated society. Howard's previous administration. himself recalling that superb Peter What Greenfield, 58, told The 7.30 Sellers film, Being There. "Australian governments have Report was, in truth, fairly alarming. been extremely slow in this area," Some may remember the main To paraphrase, she believes an over- Biggins says. "They've done very character, Chauncey Gardiner, had reliance on computer communication little. In fact, this country is still led an extremely secluded life, an can prevent users from developing a only beginning to evaluate the existence totally dominated by sense of the abstract and from psychological impact of violent television. When he met someone he understanding a metaphor. She fears computer games. The nub of this didn't like he'd try to flick them away it diminishes attention spans and problem is that many parents find via his remote control. He'd come to cramps and limits a normal the screen culture very convenient. believe he could alter his development of the imagination. And They're stressed and busy, so they sit environment and circumstances she draws a connecting line between toddlers in front of a television. simply by changing channels what she calls "the screen culture" and Later, they're happy to see them in heady increases in attention deficit One of the few organisations in this front of a computer for hours. But disorders. country to specialise in what governments owe it to parents to technology and its ancillary toys and She feared a generation might be make them aware of the devices do to young minds is the coming along that was all but unable consequences." Adelaide-based Australian Council on to handle face-to-face Greenfield may have tapped into Children and the Media, formerly communication, that could not deal something quite crucial. It's difficult known as Young Media Australia. with non-screen realities. She seemed to say and, oddly, that may always to be saying a screen culture was The council, alerted to some of be the case. Because by the time the quietly evolving a bland, virtual Greenfield's research by an article in full consequences of a screen culture reality existence, one that could come this journal in the middle of last year, are evident, Greenfield, Biggins, the to be as controlling as any totalitarian asked Greenfield to be a council scribe and O'Brien may well have regime. The screen culture was patron, an invitation Greenfield has departed to another place. embedding a "distanced and remote" accepted. Who'll be left to make the personality type that precluded Barbara Biggins, a senior council generational comparisons? confrontation and interaction. figure for many years and now its Errol Simper This latter, Greenfield hinted, was honorary chief executive, collects The Australian, 30 March 2009. the core problem. She told O'Brien every available scrap of international that without the occasional argument research relevant to Greenfield's If you would like to know more about or row, without seeing someone upset studies and has as yet found no ACCM go to their website or in tears, a generation would come reason to disagree with the Oxford www.youngmedia.org.au. to inhabit "a sanitised world where no luminary. email: [email protected]

Page 13 “Please keep broadcasting.”

t was a simple phone text message, objectives. It is not widely known television airs content that identifies but the desperation behind it was how aggressively other countries, the aspirations and celebrates the Ipalpable. “We are trying to listen including our partners in the G20, are achievements of Pacific communities to you online but are having investing in international (Pacific Pulse). We are committed to difficulty. Please keep broadcasting. broadcasting as a principal tool of soft Pacific regional co-operation with You are all we have.” The cry of help, diplomacy. And how far behind ABC International Projects partnering sent to the ABC last week, highlights Australia lags in this new race for with AusAID and national media to the anguish within FIJI as the military influence. strengthen broadcast capacity in government extends its grip on power The British spend $868 million on Papua New Guinea, the Solomons and while going to extraordinary lengths international radio and television; the Vanuatu and throughout the Pacific. to deny its citizens access to French $618 million; the Germans In order to strengthen our focus we information about its activities. $532 million; and the Chinese about have established in Melbourne the The abrupt switch off of the Radio $380 million. All this is government Asia Pacific News Centre with 60 Australia transmitters in Suva and investment in international journalists covering the region on Nadi by Fijian police came hours after broadcasting. In Australia, we international radio, television and ABC Pacific correspondent Sean currently invest $34 million in Radio online. Dorney was ordered out of the Australia and Australia Network In Asia, particularly in the country. Combined, the two events television. The ABC has long argued burgeoning new markets of China represent a dark day for journalism that we extract the maximum possible and India, the ABC is committed to and for democracy in the Pacific. efficiencies from this outlay, extending its presence. The They pose challenges for the delivering “good bang for our buck”. international service is valued for the Australian Government and for the Out of this small sum, we broadcast quality and accuracy of its news and ABC in the complicated new world of on radio in seven regional languages current affairs reporting. Our international diplomacy. and reach 44 nations in Asia and the audiences tell us that when big news Dorney has been reporting on the Pacific on Australia Network. event break in the region, the ABC region for over three decades. His serves as a trusted primary source of authority and knowledge is built information. But the value is also in around a commitment to tell all sides the ABC serves as a the underlying message conveyed by of a story with a passion and affection trusted primary source our programming to areas like Fiji for Pacific communities and their where democracy can be a very fragile cultural richness and abundant of information concept. Here, we have a very robust potential. Radio Australia has been democratic model, where views and part of the strong tradition of Fijian policies are debated and analysed independent journalism for seventy But the ABC – and Australia – risk energetically on programs like Q&A, years. Seven decades of reporting on getting drowned in the growing Insiders, Lateline and Jim Middleton’s the achievements and challenges of proliferation of broadcast voices. The News Hour. the Fijian nation with a commitment Japanese, the Russians and the The federal Government is aware of to be fair and accurate. Germans have recently announced our views on these issues. The ABC It is too easy to shrug the shoulders plans for new English television has argued strongly that the solution and dismiss the pall of repression in services in Asia and the Pacific. does not lie in outsourcing our Fiji as a sadly, all-too common The easy call, particularly in a diplomacy to commercial interests, as consequence of Pacific political tough global economic environment, has been argued by one of our media instability. These developments go to is to sit back and do nothing. We do rivals. We also believe the time is the heart of Australia’s regional not have that luxury. The ABC’s right for a bigger and bolder vision. interests. Our aspiration is for our regional footprint cannot be With the value of old-order global neighbours to prosper in societies replicated. This is our neighbourhood. institutions increasingly questioned, built on openness, fairness and We are not London or Bonn calling. new bodies like the G20 3 have given opportunity for all. When We have a critical interest in climate Australia an opportunity to display independent scrutiny of government change in the Pacific and the strong leadership on issues ranging from is thrown aside, we all suffer. development of Pacific governments, financial regulation to Clean Coal. In international affairs, where business and society-all nurtured and But we cannot afford to neglect the words can be bullets, there is a nourished by a vibrant independent new tool in the diplomatic kitbag growing appreciation of the role of media. Every day Radio Australia –the power of broadcasting. Just ask “soft diplomacy” – using subtle broadcasts for several hours on Pacific the poor text messenger in Fiji. methods such as the sharing of affairs (Pacific Beat and In the Loop). By ABC Managing Director Mark Scott perspectives to deliver policy Every week Australian Network SMH 20 April 2009.

Page 14 Nothing quite as it seems with News and ABC International

Canberra correspondent Bernard better job and that it should replace understand that the Australian Keane writes: the ABC in running the service. Then Government couldn’t demand that ost of us never see it, but News Ltd Corporate Development broadcasters run individual channels. manager Malcolm Colless gets taxpayers pay $20m a year for All that should be borne in mind involved lobbying Cabinet ministers. Mthe ABC to provide an when Malcolm Colless attacks the The Government decides to conduct international television service. It’s not current ABC service, as he did late last another tender process for a second part of the ABC’s core functions, but is year. Colless, it seems, hasn’t gotten five-year contract. provided on contract with funding from over losing, and blames the "precious the Department of Foreign Affairs and This was portrayed by some at the egos" at DFAT. Trade. Now, the service had a tangled time as Sky News attempting to Now we’re having the preliminary history under the Howard Government exploit the Howard Government’s rounds for the next iteration, with -- but not necessarily in the way you hatred of the ABC to get access to the Angelos Frangopoulos and Mark Scott might expect. $18m-odd pa funding. That was squaring off over the next tender for probably accurate but it missed the The Howard Government’s 1996-97 the service in 2010. funding cuts savaged both Radio point that the Government was perfectly entitled to re-tender for the Keep an eye on The Australian’s Australia and the subsidies paid to service, and taxpayers in fact should coverage of this. Last time around the support the ABC international have expected nothing less given it Sky News bid was supported by anti- television service established by David was their money. The only problem ABC stories and op-Ed pieces. As the Hill. The TV service was taken over by was whether, as many in the ABC national broadsheet, The Oz thinks Kerry Stokes in 1998, with subsidised expected, the Government was simply foreign policy is its patch, and the idea programming from the ABC. But in using the tender process as cover for that a non-News entity, and worse yet 2000, Stokes had had enough. He told making the switch to Sky. the ABC, is a major player in that Howard he was dumping the service. If that was the case, Cabinet didn’t space galls them. At that point Alexander Downer count on DFAT. DFAT hired a Sky News argued in 2005 that the intervened. Downer had been unhappy consultant to revise the tenders terms ABC service lacked sufficient news with the cuts to Radio Australia and and advertised it, then conducted the and current affairs content, although wanted to restore Australia’s assessment process. The ABC had that missed the point that the service broadcasting presence in the region. submitted a clearly superior bid, DFAT was not intended to be news and Downer successfully pushed for some concluded in its advice to Cabinet. current affairs only, but also project additional funding for Radio Australia - DFAT’s case was rock solid, and, images of Australia via drama, - not much, but enough to revive it however grumpily, Cabinet endorsed documentaries and sport. Moreover, from near-death -- and funding for a its conclusions. The ABC was renewed the region is already served by dozens new television service, to be tendered for another five years, for $20m a year, of news, current affairs and business by his Department. Broadcasting guru although the Government agreed with channels, and the ABC’s $20m pa Malcolm Long was brought on board the consultant’s suggestion that the effort is unlikely to compete with the to advise DFAT. The tender drew an name be changed so that "ABC" big international players. intriguing array of would-be wasn’t mentioned. broadcasters, including David Hill who Radio Australia, which has greater led a private bid. Seven and the ABC One of the problems with Sky’s bid, population reach via radio (both initially declined to participate, until apparently, was that it would have shortwave and rebroadcasting) and is an institution in the Pacific in Jonathan Shier was encouraged by relied on existing News Ltd satellite distribution arrangements in the particular, might actually provide the Government to join in. The ABC’s region. The ABC already had a head- greater soft-power benefits than just bid subsequently won a heavily-vetted start on them there, having spent another TV service in the clutter of assessment process, and the several years negotiating rebroadcast channels available on satellite. Government reluctantly signed up, arrangements in SE Asia and India, led agreeing to the ABC’s demands for This is something friends should be by the late John Doherty, who vigilant about, and lobby to see that editorial independence. impressed even Downer with his News Ltd does not get the contract. Fast forward to 2005. The new ABC leadership of the new service. The The news that comes out of Australia service has been running for four ABC had been stymied for a long time to the world and in particular S.E. Asia years of its five-year contract. It is in getting access to China because and the Pacific should be unbiased expecting the contract to be renewed, the Chinese insisted that access be and the truth. 95% of Australians trust by Sky News has other ideas. Led by somehow made reciprocal for its own the ABC. part-owner News Ltd, Sky News tells CCTV services. The Chinese the Government it could do a far Government appeared not to Martin Miller - Cowper Branch

Page 15 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] [email protected] [email protected] New South Wales [email protected] Mal Hewitt (President) FABC NSW Cowper Mid North Coast PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 Joyce Gardner (Secretary) Drusi Megget ACT – FABC Phone: 9637 2900 FABC Cowper PO Box 1752 Jane Timbrell [email protected] 7 Royal Tar Crescent Port Macquarie NSW 2444 GPO Box 2625 Nambucca Heads NSW 2448 Phone: 6583 8798 Canberra ACT 2601 Albury Phone: 6568 7532 [email protected] Phone: 6249 8657 Jim Saleeba [email protected] [email protected] 621 Lindsay Ave. Northern Rivers Albury NSW 2640 Eastern Suburbs Neville Jennings South Australia – FABC Phone: 6021 5690 Nizza Siano (Secretary) PO Box 1484 Kingscliff 2487 Sandra Kanck 16 Holland Rd Phone/Fax: 6674 3830 (H) PO Box 7158 Hutt St Armidale Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 [email protected] Adelaide SA 5000 Val Sherwell Phone/Fax: 9327 3423 Phone: 8336 4114 167 Markham Street [email protected] Byron Bay Sub-branch convenor [email protected] Armidale NSW 2350 Jill Keogh Phone: 6772 0342 Eurobodalla Phone: 6688 4558 Western Australia – FABC [email protected] Keith Simmons Harry Cohen 117 Beach Road Orange PO Box 534 Bathurst Batehaven NSW 2536 Bev Holland Subiaco WA 6904 Tracey Carpenter Phone: 4472 9898 26 Sunny South Crescent [email protected] 76 Havannah St [email protected] Orange NSW 2800 Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: 6362 4744 Tasmania – FABC Phone: 6331 8305 Great Lakes & Manning Valley [email protected] Melissa Sharpe [email protected] Margaret Gardner PO Box 301 PO Box 871 Forster NSW 2428 Parramatta North Hobart TAS 7002 Blue Mountains Ph: 6554 9181 (H) 6591 3704 (W) Mal Hewitt Phone: 0427 041 161 Bob Macadam [email protected] 31 Queen St Granville 2142 [email protected] 34 Lee Road Phone: 9637 2900 Winmalee NSW 2777 Hunter [email protected] Phone: 4754 1620 Peter Brandscheid FABC RESOURCE CENTRE [email protected] c/o PO Box 265 Victoria – FABC Darce Cassidy Merewether NSW 2291 Friends of the ABC (Vic) www.friendsoftheabc.org Phone: 4943 8076 GPO Box 4065 [email protected] Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: (03) 9682 0073 [email protected]

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Age Group 30 or under 31-50 51+ I would like to receive my copy of My details will be passed on to my local FABC branch. (Strike out if you disagree) Update Magazine electronically. .ry1 .sry3 laudividnI 02$ 55$ I am paying by cheque in favour of FABC (NSW) Inc. Family/Household $25 $70 visa mastercard money order tnedutS 51$ 04$ Card Number renoisneP 51$ 04$ Name on credit card Corporate (covers 3 people) $60 - Expiry date I would like to make a donation $______erutangiS sredlohdraC erutangiS etaD latoT $ ______

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