Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. qu a rt e r ly news l e t t e r December 2005 Vol 15, No. 4 in c o rp o rat i n g ba ck g round briefing na tional magaz i n e up d a t e friends of the abc

Russell Balding’s big bid: “Crunch Point” The ABC’s MD may not have been at the Senate to Santo Santoro’s chagrin but, a few days later, perhaps more profitably he appeared in the Financial Review - the author of a blunt, unvarnished plea for greater funding for the ABC. Here are some of his arguments. “Funding of the ABC over the we screen far more British than past 20 years has declined signifi- Australian history - programs like Is the Media cantly. There is so much the Monarchy? failing Australia? nation misses out on as a result – One, because Australians love missed opportunities to enrich it and will watch it. Two, because Basically…”Yes!” our lives through the powerful it’s far less expensive to import media of radio, television and on- Professor Robert Manne these programs than to produce line.” discussed his point of view our own.” and those in his new book Mr Balding then gives as an Balding points out that in 2002 “Do Not Disturb: Is the Media example, the television documen- David Starkey signed a $4.9 mil- Failing Australia?” on RN’s tary Frank Hurley: The Man who lion deal with Channel Four to Media Report with Richard Made History, pointing out these present the Monarchy series while Aedy. There was, he said, a stories cost “more often than not Simon Schama made a television- lot to fix. these days more than the ABC book deal with BBC and alone can afford.” Such as? “…for me the biggest HarperCollins for $7.3 million. element of the problem is the “Consider Hurley’s credits: “(But) no matter how great our a b s u rd size of the Murd o c h Film Australia, the NSW FTO, the patriotism, no one will watch a p ress (with) News Corporation Film Finance Corporation, the program simply because it’s i n t e rested in shaping minds… I production company Real Pictures Australian history – the produc- think Murdoch is the most and the ABC of course…the BBC, tion benchmark must be reached. influential neo-conservative on AVRO (Netherlands), NDR the globe and 60 or 70% of the “Here’s the crunch: the ABC can Germany, and History Television Australian mainstream press is no longer bring to the screen from Canada. Nine partners! It owned by News Corp. took almost three years for the depth of programming to match producer to round up funding. the depth of our history or the “Second, the ABC has been story must too often be told on a attacked so often it no longer “If the ABC was able to con- scale too modest to match the p rovides a kind of ballast in the tribute more to projects like this expectations of its audience.” (continued on page 15) at beginning, it would…ensure more Australian documentaries Now is the Time (were) commissioned and broad- “Surely we owe it to ourselves cast by the ABC.” to see the immense power of I N S I D E : Beyond our reach? television brought to the cause of Around the branches 2-4 Australia’s history. The President’s Report 3 “Are these programs too, like drama, moving steadily beyond “Next year we will celebrate Somerville 4 the reach of the ABC… If a central 50 years of television in Australia. Triennial Funding Battle 7 role for the ABC is to reflect our Those who want programs that Senator Santoro Runs Amok 9 own culture and inform us about reflect more about who we are ABC Australian Content Quota 14 ourselves and the world, why do (continued on page 8)

Page 1 “The ABC, the ears and eyes of Australia” Central Coast FABC.

Eric Campbell The crowd at Northern Rivers Branch has launched another letter writing program for the ABC with No r t h e r n Rivers FABC, a “the ears and eyes of magnet for speakers Australia” as its slogan. All members and supporters Friends of the ABC continue Eric fielded a wide array of were called to the Central Coast setting high standards questions - the millionaires' fair Leagues club at 2.00pm on for public forums on the in Moscow, embedded journ a l- 10th December to sit and write Northern Rivers, and consis- ism, Osama bin Laden and as widely as possible. tently big audiences for s u p p o rters, corruption and Al major ABC guest speakers, Jazeera as “an Arabic version of Numerous issues to be can- the most recent of whom Fox News.” vassed: from funding to Board was ABC Foreign He discussed the advantage of appointments and not overlook- Correspondent Eric Campbell the ABC having foreign corre- ing bids for the contract for the With well over 100 Friends spondents in a range of loca- Asia-Pacific broadcast service in c rowding the regular venue, the tions - often in isolation fro m 2006 and that certain media L i s m o re Workers' Club, Eric other Australian journalists. He moguls have their eyes on this outlined his experiences in was pessimistic about the ABC important element in the ABC's M o s c o w, Beijing, Kosovo, being able to re s t o re the cadet area of responsibility. Afghanistan, Iraq and Niger, j o u rnalist program that was some of it already summarised once a hallmark of the org a n i s a- The whole range in his book A b s u rd i s t a n. tion and he questioned the integrity of those who made But to support the slogan He made it plain that in view claims about bias on the part of of the loss of his close friend "The ABC, the ears and eyes of ABC journalists. Instead of Australia" letters were to be con- and cameraman Paul Moran in issues in only black and white the early days of the Iraq Wa r sidered in support of the whole t e rms, his aim was to explore range of ABC current affairs pro- and narrowly missing being seri- shades of grey by pro v i d i n g grams, radio and television. ously injured himself, he had viewers with background infor- no intention of re t u rning to mation from a variety of Our branch has embarked on a Iraq because of the continued p e r s p e c t i v e s . violence and “bad memories”. membership and publicity drive He had no wish to revisit that Eric's visit to Nort h e rn Rivers by making use of public libraries p a rticular nightmare . was the latest in a series of talks and community centres which by distinguished ABC re p o rt e r s , have shown a willingness to Discussing Afghanistan, he including Greg Wilesmith, noted the Taliban leaders took a accept forms and flyers advertis- Sean Dorney and John ing our various programs through- fundamentalist approach on Highfield. “We are encouraged out the year. Members volunteer almost every issue except dru g by the support we have re c e i v e d t r a fficking; also his meetings for each event - especially fro m for duty to visit the centres in with Taliban leaders were often ABC North Coast and the local their suburb and ensure that the p ro b l e m a t i c . media," branch president Neville material is available and well dis- On China as an emerg i n g Jennings said. played. s u p e r p o w e r, while acknowledg- The next event Nort h e rn The FABC Central Coast’ s ing it's economic growth, he Rivers Friends were org a n i s i n g AGM will be held on Saturday felt China was heading for a was to be a "conversation" on massive correction where fur- media policy between Mungo 11th. February at 2.00 pm in the ther economic growth would be McCallum and Mick O'Regan at Central Coast Leagues Club, stymied by the political system. the Billinudgel Pub in mid- Gosford. He was aware this view wasn’t N o v e m b e r. that of the government but John Hale, Convenor. he was drawing on his personal Neville Jennings, Pre s i d e n t , Central Coast Friends of the ABC experience of the regime to N o rt h e rn Rivers Friends of the ABC make his prediction.

Page 2 THETHE PRESIDENT’SPRESIDENT’S REPORREPORTT

A further spate of unwarr a n t e d vides both sides of a story. Yo u r ABC Charter stipulating that no attacks on the ABC has again newspaper is regularly critical of a d v e rtising is to be carried on the galvanised our members into the ABC, accusing it of left-wing ABC, such a proposal must be staunchly defending the national bias. Your actions in perm i t t i n g s t rongly opposed. The gre a t b ro a d c a s t e r. Pre d i c t a b l y, it has Paul Gray a free kick at the investigative tradition of the ABC come from two sources – the ABC while ignoring altern a t e cannot be compromised in any M u rdoch camp and Queensland views smacks of bias of the worst way by advertising or sponsor- S e n a t o r, Santo Santoro – and the k i n d . ” ship and, it wouldn’t take long accusation, as usual, is left-wing As we go to press, we are work- for the government to reduce its bias. The Santoro farce is funding by whatever the ABC c o m p rehensively dealt with on ing with other state and terr i t o ry e a rned from other sources. There page 9. FABC bodies and the MEAA to highlight the plight of the ABC – is no point in the govern m e n t The Murdoch press has several its paltry drama production and c rying “poor mouth” – we all columnists who regularly take the cause of it – a totally inade- know how lined its coffers are . aim at the ABC, but this time the quate funding position. I am ask- honour was given to a columnist We wish the ABC and its pre- ing you our members to be pre- senters well in the fort h c o m i n g f rom Melbourn e ’s Herald-Sun, p a red to support our campaign. Paul Gray. Gray’s diatribe Walkley Aw a rds. It has all nine It is likely to be held before the against the ABC and the Media finalists in the radio awards and next edition of Update is E n t e rtainment and Arts Alliance 21 of 25 finalists for television. is well summarised on page 13. printed, but all interstate and C l e a r l y, the industry re c o g n i s e s When this article appeared in ru r a l / regional branches will be the quality of the work pro d u c e d The Australian, I immediately advised in sufficient time for by ABC journalists, pre s e n t e r s replied in writing to the Editor as them to become involved as will and technicians. It is a testament did several other members to my those members who have pro v i d- to the dedication of ABC people knowledge. I took issue with ed their e-mail addresses. The that they continue to excel in G r a y ’s outrageous assertion that m o re widespread and consistent spite of the funding crisis. our message is to the govern m e n t “the problem with the ABC is A warm welcome to our newest that the majority of their staff and politicians the more pre s s u re branch, Nambucca Va l l e y, form e d hates the values of ord i n a ry can be brought to bear. This is no at its inaugural meeting in early c o n s e rvative Australians”. I also small task, particularly with the N o v e m b e r. We look forw a rd to attempted to set the re c o rd g o v e rnment in control of both another strong local voice for the straight re g a rding inaccurate houses of the Parliament, but, in Friends and the ABC. f i g u res quoted as the purport e d the Senate, there is still a degre e ABC budget allocation. The of unpre d i c t a b i l i t y. The committee of FABC (NSW) Australian did not print any of wishes all our members, their the letters countering Gray’s wild ACT Senator, Gary Humphries families and friends a very Happy claims but, fort u n a t e l y, the next (a member of the coalition Christmas and a bright and day the Editor found space to communications backbench com- healthy 2006. include another (unrelated) letter mittee), recently issued a media G a ry Cook critical of the ABC. One week release advocating advertising on P resident, FA B C l a t e r, I wrote to the Editor, the ABC with a fixed perc e n t a g e Michael Stutchbury, to point out of the proceeds to be allocated to that “any journal of repute pro- a “drama fund”. Apart from the

After Hurricane Katrina British PM Tony Blair - the word leaked out - believed the BBC’s Rupert as coverage of the event had been anti-American. Who said so? Rupert Murdoch...Blair went to Rupert privately to complain and dob the BBC in…(not that there above… w e re many plaudits jostling for air space to applaud President Bush’s rapid response reactions to the hurr i c a n e . ) wrapped in But a concerned Rupert recounted the conversation at a panel discussion in New York hosted by former U.S. P resident Bill Clinton. the flag “ P e rhaps I shouldn’t repeat this, but Tony Blair told me he turned on the BBC World Service to see what was happening in New Orleans and he said it was just full of hate of America and gloating about (it’s) tro u b l e s . "And that was his Government. Well, his government-owned thing," he said of the publicly owned b ro a d c a s t e r. Mr Murdoch went on to say that anti-American bias was prevalent throughout Europe. "I think we've got to do a better job at answering it. And there's a big job to do,” said Murd o c h .

Page 3 Illawarra’s software hit wins new members

Chris Cartledge, Illawarr a and facilities, with the final new location to avoid the bore- Branch FABC chair, was re c e n t l y slide detailing and pro m o t i n g dom of walking the same stre e t s guest speaker at a meeting of the five ABC radio stations a round their home, but short the Illawarra Computer available to Illawarra locals. At trips are not good for your car - Enthusiasts Club. Chris, as the windup, a number of or the environment. Go ‘head- Moderator of FABC NSW E-mail Computer enthusiasts took away phone radio’ instead,” he said. List & Digest, was invited to membership forms, declaring " You see people out walking speak about the software used to they would join us. with their walkmans or port a b l e operate the FABC List. “Keep Fit” CD players but I'm more of a FABC Illawarra member, news junkie than a music fan" Penny Ferguson, with a foot in Chris also provides pro s p e c t i v e says Chris. "I bought a Sony both camps, arranged the ses- members with a health and fit- s t e reo headphone radio and sion. A frequent contributor to ness pitch: his own pre s c r i p t i o n have been walking and listening the FABC List, Penny Ferg u s o n , to keep fit both physically and M-F ever since…highly re c o m- is also a computer enthusiast. mentally with early morn i n g mended,” he said, ”keeps you walks. Not to let an opportunity go fit…and smart! " past, Chris talked “Friends” Like those who can "walk and to the meeting – what motivates chew gum", Chris says he feeds us and why, its significance, his brain with Radio National the stru c t u re of the Friends and while on the move…up at then details of Friends' activi- 6:30am, on the road for bre a k- ties and communication fast with Fran Kelly and the methods. That last pro v i d e d 7am news, followed by Radio the link for an explanation of National's AM. Then he’s re a d y the software used for the FA B C to face the rest of the day. List. "It's a great motivation to get Using an overhead pro j e c t o r out of bed and catch up with Chris provided screen dumps of the day's breaking events" Chris the software's various menus says. "Some people drive to a Chris Cartledge

Eastern Suburbs FABC staffed a stall in the Pavilion at Bondi Beach’s annual Festival of Winds. The sales crew – (l to r) Nizza Siano, ESFABC Secretary, Cr Peter Moscatt then also Mayor of Waverley and Nance Loney ES President – reported successful fund-raising sales, signing up of new members and some pertinent lobby- ing for support for the ABC.

Page 4 John Doyle on when the ABC is serving its charter. In what is widely regarded as perhaps the finest Andrew Olle lecture since its inception, broadcaster and writer John Doyle proposed a tax deductible levy on commercial television networks’ pre-tax profit of around 25% to 30% to be pooled exclusively for ABC Drama. How did he justify this?

“Because historically the ABC would be to the brilliant 90’s farce has been the powerhouse for new advantage of the com- Frontline look less like ideas often taken up by the com- mercial networks. parody and more like mercial networks, perhaps the Hard to argue with reality television. time has come for those networks such an inspired idea; Both current affairs to subsidise the ABC. After all, the although one can hardly shows depict a world ABC has been the training and imagine the commercial where it’s not only testing ground for the commercial networks rushing to not safe for anyone to networks for fifty years - it’s about subscribe. What else leave their home, it’s time the situation was redressed. did Doyle have to say not safe to live. And “In return (for the tax), the net- about the Australian media, broad- the commercial news works would get second viewing casting and ourselves. services are carbon copies of each rights and the right to franchise other as well. “I notice this year has seen any series on a rotating basis, Seven’s Today Tonight and Nine’s “So forget diversity of opinion – deemed commercially viable. A Current Affair put to air the it’s out there on the margins. “…only the ABC by virtue of same story at the same time on If you really want diversity go to being unencumbered by what is the same night. As nearly as I can SBS or the ABC. popular, is capable of taking risks. tell the programs are the same: “The ABC still provides the best Why is there such a paucity of same old foot in the same old news services in the country, great locally made drama? Because door philosophy, same mock out- arguably among the best in the the ABC isn’t doing it. rage at feuding neighbours and total dependence on losers, or sad world. Radio National is still “The Americans would hate losers, or violent losers, or losers impossibly excellent. ABC TV too such a plan and see it as ripped off by shonky gold tooth has managed to survive with not being in the spirit of the Free rat type losers. its current affairs programs intact, Trade Agreement, but so what? loathed by Labor and Coalition This isn’t cheese or rice we’re talk- Forget diversity alike, as it should be. And as ing about. It actually is Culture. “They now make the ABC’s it should be, it still strives to put A fully funded ABC Drama unit forward an alternative view. So when the commercial media ABC MEMORABILIA dictated to by intrusive ownership FOR SALE and ill-informed populism, is forced to make irresponsible One of our members, Arthur Tupman, of Salt Ash (north of Newcastle) has been cleaning out his collection of “paraphernalia” programs that lack both style and collected over many years. substance, caresses (the) inflam- matory, that describes the world Arthur is offering for sale to the highest bidder (with all proceeds to go to the Hunter Branch of FABC):- in simple terms, then the ABC will always seem to aggravate, • 418 copies of the ABC Radio Guide (1975-1984) • A copy of the ABC Year Book, 1930 annoy and frustrate and it’s pre- • A colour magazine celebrating the 50th anniversary cisely when the ABC is doing this of ABC Radio (1982) that it is serving its charter”. • A 50th anniversary guide listing special radio programmes Please make your offers to:- FABC, PO Box 1391, North Sydney NSW 2059 OR by e-mail to: [email protected] OR by phone to:9810 3358

Page 5 Above right: Mungo McCallum A Useful Afternoon at a Pub Below right: Mick O’Regan Political analyst and author Mungo MacCallum entertained 150 friends of the ABC at the Billinudgel Pub in November fielding questions on media policy, journalism and public broadcasting in company with media analyst Mick O'Regan. The event was organised by the Byron Bay sub-branch of Northern Rivers FABC.

Mungo MacCallum noted the are just looking for dramatic said "We were thrilled with the increasing difficulties journalists headlines.” It was important for response from the local communi- faced in seeking information from people to be engaged in public ty and indeed a wider area, public servants, the politicisation debate and not just as consumers including people present from of the public service and the of ideas that agree with their Lismore, the Tweed, Gold Coast process of "plausible deniability.” own. Mungo noted that few and hinterland and Brisbane, ABC He believes that many journalists young people seemed to read RN presenter Sandy McCutcheon are primarily concerned about newspapers and were enraptured among the gathering. promotion and suggests that the by the "Blogosphere”, but that present government has elevated information on the internet often the strangling of information to tended to be uninformed opinion, an art form. rumour and chit-chat. Mungo believes preferred jour- D o w n t u rn FABC (NSW) nalists receive leaks from the gov- Mungo believes the ABC is Executive Committee ernment and he mentioned Piers being starved to death and points P re s i d e n t – Gary Cook Ackerman, Andrew Bolt and Glen to the downturn in ABC drama Phone:9810 3358 Milne, noting that Greg Sheridan as a case in point. On the issue of e m a i l : l o u r m a r @ i d x . c o m . a u of The Australian had been serious investigative journalism he Tre a s u re r – James Buchanan duchessed by Washington - but at argues that there are many forces P h o n e : 9371 5621 least was open about it. acting against it: its high cost, e m a i l : j a m e s b u c @ b i g p o n d . n e t . a u He observed that old Parliament the legal system in Australia, self S e c re t a ry – Janet Crennan House was like a rabbit warren censorship on the part of some P h o n e : 9810 1758 where journalists could mix freely journalists and pressures applied e m a i l : c r e n n a n @ b i g p o n d . c o m with politicians. The new parlia- by government. Membership Secre t a ry – ment house had been designed to Northern Rivers branch presi- Dilhara Gonsalkorale keep journalists away from the dent Neville Jennings said the Phone: 9552 2706 or 0418 485 420 corridors of power. Byron sub-branch planned a simi- [email protected] lar event next year to coincide Update Editor – Brian Dav i e s Regarding the ABC, he asked with the National ABC Awareness PO Box 1391 "Who will report at length on campaign. North Sydney NSW 2059 Aboriginal issues if the ABC and SBS don't do so? The other players Sub-branch convenor Val Philips

Page 6 On Guard! How will the ABC’s Triennial Budget submission fare? There may well be a contest between the submission and KPMG’s inquiry into how the ABC is spending its money on what, but the battle field is much wider: will the Federal government continue to enfeeble the Corporation, while pretending otherwise by distorting the sums, or will it come to terms with the ABC’s role in present-day Australia; at its simplest will it be given the money to resume producing great Australian drama?

Several years ago a mass rally unexpectedly in September of Friends at the Sydney Opera when the Media Entert a i n m e n t House stunned the govern m e n t and Arts Alliance announced KeyKey FactsFacts andand of the day & produced extra the beginning of the very sort funding for the Corporation. of campaign we had in mind FiguresFigures Friends nationally are now plan- (but probably not the funds For about two-thirds of individ- ning something similar…when f o r ) . the Corporation is no longer ual commercial TV budgets, the Their online campaign began able to produce more than just ABC provides two TV stations, with a launch in the Museum a few hours of Australian drama four national and 60 local radio of Sydney featuring a splendidly - a direct breach of its charter - polished, powerful telescoped stations, two digital stations, something drastic needs to be s u m m a ry of all the great things ABC Online and Radio Australia. done urg e n t l y. the ABC does, including drama, n The ABC’s budget has A phone-hookup of NSW and news and current affairs, TV and declined 25% in real ACT Friends’ committees set the radio…and the message? “ABC: ball rolling, resolving to mount The eyes and ears of Australia.” terms in the past 20 a major campaign to pro m o t e years. NSW FABC and the MEAA’s “ Aw a reness of the ABC” as wide- Sydney head office are now in n The 20 hours of ABC TV ly as possible, to the discomfort discussions about uniting our drama expected next year of the Government if need be, two campaigns. once the 2006 Australia Day approximates 3-and-a-half weekend is over and Parliament The MEAA’s is on its website - minutes a day. is turning its attention to fund- w w w. a l l i a n c e . o rg.au/OurABC - n In 2001 it totalled 102 ing the ABC, early Febru a ry featuring the 20-page booklet hours. All other state FABCs have now ( p i c t u red) which is dotted with responded and the intention is i n f o rmation and arg u m e n t . n The ABC is broadcasting to develop a series of ro l l i n g Also on site are some of the about 50% less Australian actions to capture media cover- rousing speeches that marked content than 7, 9 and 10 are age and politicians’ attention. the launch including Penny required to. Action stations C h a p m a n ’s fierce account of drama and funding shortfalls – n Of 17 OECD public broad- Members should – in the itself a drama. casters publicly funded phrase of the day – stay alarm e d The MEAA stresses that the Australia comes 16th, way and alert and ready for action. campaign is not about money - We will advise. behind Belgium, Ireland and it is first about content and the NZ. We cannot simply sit back and A B C ’s future, then money is acquiesce and do nothing when involved, but likewise says the n Macquarie Bank has the ABC’s drama capacity is a booklet: “The ABC needs advised the Government haunted, cob-webbed ghost of us….members can voice their that to catch up the ABC past glories, abandoned to the hopes for the ABC…We have an needs additional funding of, sometimes dubious merit of the o p p o rtunity to stand up for the minimum, $200 million up c o m m e rcial networks or a hurr i- A B C ’s future ” cane of US pro d u c t i o n s . to $700 million a year. A powerful ally turned up

Page 7 (continued from page 1) Balding on Finance Community sentiment for ABC and where we come from…should stronger. be able to rely upon the ABC. A national survey in June ’05, and the sixth carried out “It is now time for the adequacy by Newspoll since 1998, found; nine-in-ten Australians of the ABC’s funding to be endorsing the broadcaster “as providing the community addressed and brought to public with a valuable service.” attention. Eighty percent of Australians the value and relevance the ABC “The outcomes of the Funding s u rveyed perceived the quality has for them. Adequacy and Efficiency Review of programming on ABC T h i rty percent of ABC Online and the forthcoming triennial Television as being good, up users said the website pro m p t e d f rom 75 percent since 1998. funding negotiations present this them to turn to something on opportunity.” T h ree-in-four Australians (up ABC TV or Radio within the last f rom 69 percent in 2004) believe t h ree months. ABC TV does a good job in Eighty-two percent of people t e rms of the number of shows it thought the ABC did a good job p rovides they personally like to of being balanced and even w a t c h . Play School handed when re p o rting news Seventy-one percent of and current aff a i r s . teenagers aged between 14 and goes on the T h e re was an increase among 17 said that ABC TV did a good those in country and re g i o n a l job of providing shows that road – free a reas that believe the ABC and they personally liked to its services are valuable, up fro m watch…up from 51 percent in to air 88 in 2004 to 92 percent this 2 0 0 4 . Play School celebrates y e a r, indicating - its 40th birthday next Nine-in-ten ABC Online users said - “how vital a service the year and to help do describe the quality of the site's ABC also is to those living in content as good; eight-in-ten A u s t r a l i a ’s more remote are a s . ” so it’s taking to the believing the website adds to road, live, to entertain outback children

The Play School Birthday Live ‘Retiring’ but appointed – ABC’s Show will give 40 free concerts at 18 destinations including Alice new board member, Skala Springs, Darwin, Thursday Island, In October, Minister for Communications Helen Coonan Weipa, Broome, Derby, Port appointed arts bureaucrat Steven Skala to the ABC Board – Augusta and Coober Pedy. a man prominent in corporate and cultural boardrooms, but publicly and politically low key. ABC Managing Director Russell Balding said for pre-schoolers who The Age last Australian Ballet and the Centre might never have seen a live show year named for Independent Studies. He's a designed especially for them, it Steven Skala as former director of the Ten net- will be an experience they’ll never one of a "new work and for 19 years headed the forget. “It’s also another way of breed of power- corporate and commercial brokers", a mem- division of the legal firm, Arnold showing the meaning the ABC ber of what the Bloch Leibler. A former chairman has for Australian children and paper called the of the Australian Centre for the unique role it plays in city's "new estab- Contemporary Art he is also is a Australian life and communities lishment" and as “a rising leader member of Cricket Australia's all around the country.” in Melbourne's influential Jewish grievance tribunal. community". Head of Children’s Programs If Britain’s Nolan Rules, or simi- Claire Henderson said: “this is When contacted by The Age the lar, applied to appoint ABC board Play School’s “thank you” to the new member remarked that he members, Skala’s credentials children of Australia and their had always “lived below the radar would certainly qualify him for parents for their support for Play and that’s where I prefer to stay.” serious consideration, but in the absence of competing candidates School over 40 wonderful years.” Steven Skala is vice-chairman of other qualities and appropriate- Deutsche Bank (Australia and ness go untested. New Zealand), chairman of Film Australia and a director of the

Page 8 The posturing senator from Queensland… …the one from the Deep North, Santo Santoro, the strident advocate hammering the ABC’s sins, springing his surprise WMD on the public. A sensation - his own opinion poll which would confirm his allegations of an ABC corroded by leftwing bias. Gary Cook explains...

Here’s how the saga ran. When unquestionably a place for the the will to…” the Senate Estimates Hearings ABC as a public broadcaster.” Along with other obvious ABC opened on 31 October, Senator But… supporters, I replied in Crikey, in Santoro was quickly into his ”…bias is demonstrated by the part: stride, foaming at the ABC, many examples I have presented ranting about its leftwing bias - Santo has delusions of to the Senate since 2002. My which seems to be all he is recog- grandeur…keen to ingratiate him- complaint is neither with the nized for. A ripple got as far as self with his leader…he believes broad scope of ABC programming he (Santo) should be the sole most mainstream media, but nor with the…majority of broad- arbiter of determining bias or Crikey.com.au took it up if only for cast and support staff. its comic value but also as an balance in the ABC. He should instance of blatant waste of the ”It is simply that the natural be brought back to earth. After taxpayers’ money. bias of many of its leading all, he hasn't faced a Senate elec- broadcasters, coming as they do tion yet. His approach is typical of I responded via Crikey to from a background in liberal arts that of Richard Alston, who defend the ABC and to put a few and working in a broadcast constantly attempted to bully and questions to Santoro. culture that has (wrongly) come brow-beat the ABC into submis- ”Senator Santo Santoro (Lib, to presume that it possesses the sion by accusing it of bias. We Qld.) is an affront to democracy. only acceptable wisdom in politi- don't need Santo’s opinions on Monday's posturing performance cal and social affairs, (it – bias) is whether ABC programs mirror before Senate Estimates is typical. permitted by the ABC to flow the attitudes of the “bulk of the He said he had 973 questions to through on the publicly funded Australian people” when we have ask MD Russell Balding (curiously airwaves… In fact, the problem is any number of independent absent) and threatened to seek an much worse: there is no accept- surveys which confirm over- inquiry into ABC bias. People like able direction…by management whelmingly that the ABC is even- Santoro continually bleat about that results in proper balance and handed and one of the most how much taxpayers' money goes objective reporting. trusted institutions in Australia. to the ABC (usually their figures “The bias manifests itself in And so it went…into delicious, are fabricated). Well, let's have the many ways – (the) ridiculous such blistering irony: Senator answer some questions. as the editorial ban on referring to How many taxpayer-funded dol- Australian Defence Force person- Boastfully confident that his lars are being spent on this witch nel serving in Iraq as "our troops" attacks on the ABC, would be hunt? How many Santoro staff on the specious grounds confirmed by polling and calling are ABC watching and listening? that "the ABC does not own the all his loyal followers, spies and Who are the 28 spies around troops…that is Orwellian others to log on, Santoro Australia? When is the Prime newspeak:…it manifests itself in launched an on-line survey on his Minister going to pull him into "progressive" thought that plainly web site, inviting the electorate line to do a decent day's work and does not mirror the attitudes of to convict the broadcaster of properly represent the people of the bulk of the Australian people. bias…Huh oh Santoro! Talk about Queensland…look at Hansard for Nowhere in its charter is the ABC opening your mouth and putting the Senate Estimates. required to be an arm of the both feet in…The results showed Kindergarten stuff!” extra-parliamentary opposition. that more than 70% of respon- On 7 November, Santoro, in (All the usual program targets are dents believed that ABC journal- Crikey, counter-attacked, unctu- nominated.)…many Australians… ists were fair and balanced or even ously: how often he made a point believe the ABC has become the right-wing in their reporting and of ”the magnificent job” the plaything of special interest less than 30% thought them to be ABC does as a public broadcast groups and a vehicle for particular left-wing. Thank you Umpire... service; with credit for its cover- views on social and political thank you ballboys. At time of age of the Boxing Day Tsunami; issues. (All) can be resolved imme- writing, our mate Santo had and, a noble concession, “there’s diately by management if it has closed the poll down.

Page 9 Aunty wins first round New Editor In a late change to tendering ence. In the absence of needed rules, Foreign Affairs and "applicable legislation", DFAT ' s Trade modified the require- p roposed powers of pro s c r i p t i o n for FABC ment that the successful would apply, setting the scene Asia-Pacific Te l e v i s i o n for “a battle over the channel's Update S e rvice operator delete any c re d i b i l i t y. ” program that DFAT consid- The ABC argues a large part of ered not to be in Australia’s the audience for its existing best interests. Asia-Pacific channel, available The concession came after in more than 39 countries re p resentations pointing out the a c ross the region, is made up of demand was incompatible non-Australian viewers attracted with its code of ethics and its by the service's independence. g o v e rning act of parliament. "…any service subjected to Tenders to run the service until g o v e rnment control would be Think about this: Update needs an 2011 closed in October, two less effective and even counter- Editor to take over from January days later. p roductive,” an ABC source said. 2006! The rival bidder Sky News Day claimed the ABC had This could be you! Not only a Friend, but one with a hand on the Australia is a joint venture beefed up its Asia-Pacific tiller. Not too taxing - a quarterly operation to strengthen its hand between Kerry Packer's Nine publication. Action Stations for one Network, Kerry Stokes's Seven in the tender process and was month a quarter. Network and Rupert Murd o c h ' s hiring new correspondents Think of the kudos! News Limited and in The to re p o rt specifically for the Australian Mark Day* said it s e rvice, to be based in Jakart a , Skills needed - both obvious and diverse. was understood the Sky Beijing, New Delhi and Fiji. A bid proposed a code of ethics decision on the tenders Share the production of the March for the channel that called for is expected early next year. issue of Update with the current Editor. an independent news service. Mark Day H o w e v e r, said Day, unlike the The Australian, Contact Brian Davies ABC, Sky News was not 20 October 2005 9977 7130 g o v e rned by any legislation that would protect it against interf e r-

“Somerville being moderately fond…” We wish Update’s generous, pro bono ‘resident’ cartoonist Pip Somerville a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We can do both by buying another Friend (or relative) a copy of... “I am Moderately Fond of Australia” ...soft-cover collection of Somerville’s wry take on these troubled times - cartoons both black & white and full colour. A perfect gift, discounted to Friends at $22.00 including post & packing.

Send cheque or money order (made out to “Philip Somerville”) plus return mail address and order details to: 3 Fairview Road, Lawson, NSW 2783 Phone 4759 2078 or email [email protected]

Page 10 “News looking for Breaks” The Director of ABC News and Current Affairs, John Cameron, was NSW Friends of the ABC’s keynote speaker at the branch AGM. Speaking off-the-cuff, he outlined goals, obstacle and aspirations, mindful of the ‘cash register.’

First, basic task: maintaining to a question, the little bre a k s q u a rter on re s o u rces and about quantity and protecting quality. reprising main stories and fore- $M30 is left as “discre t i o n a ry ” . “It sounds simple,” he said, “but shadowing others to come, were In the world in which we live it is a consistent, enorm o u s not preparation for advert i s i n g and the pace at which events challenge.” b reaks, but a recognition that and issues demand coverage and people often come in late and analysis - that’s not a lot of “The ABC has done well in the often left early. money for what we do. We have last few years sustaining both - to spend it very wisely to main- quality and quantity. It’s an Political pre s s u re was a major tain the quality and quantity of outcome of budget eff i c i e n c y, question time issue Friends raised: news and current affairs pro- but the reality is – and I don’t “… pre s s u re on editorial fre e d o m … g r a m m i n g ” . want to cry poor mouth – but is there more at the moment…how the reality is, what we have at is it exerted – by budget, dire c t o r s our disposal is not a larg e or board members…?” amount of money for what we The News and Current Aff a i r s actually do”. D i re c t o r ’s reply was frank and Getting Rid Looking to future news and realistic, ignoring ‘conspiracy c u rrent affairs output, Mr t h e o ry subtleties’: “there are re a l of the Friends’ C a m e ron said his current main p re s s u res on us all the time and aim was to have TV news over- our responsibility is to re s i s t Discount come its historic inability to go them and to be accounted as Could the ABC be ready- to air with breaking news stories i m p a rtial. We strive to ing itself to sell its shops as they happened. In similar d i s c h a rge that burden cre d i b l y. fashion he was hoping to place On the other hand there are and publishing arm? news in ABC broadcasts on the complainants whose pre s s u re s After all the ABC isn’t h o u r, every hour, 24-hours a b o rder on the vexatious.” producing much drama or day on at least one outlet, comedy to sell these whether it be Online and/or the News ‘audits’ days. And all the sites main channel or ABC2. Mr Cameron went on to such as Frenchs Forest “I know it’s a cliché but the remind his audience that every and Gore Hill have gone. News is the jewel in the ABC’s day across Australia ABC News Not much left, writes c rown. We have about 60 put out hundreds of news bul- Penelope Toltz, except n e w s rooms around Australia letins. the business arm. and 12 bureau around the world Just as TV’s 7 pm bulletin had The Friends of the ABC is well doing a fantastic job,” he said. u n d e rgone change, a similar aware that the ABC itself is ‘make-over’ of radio news was “At this year’s Wa l k l e y strapped for cash. We know, only in “stage one” as it were – an Aw a rds” there are 27 news and too well, that its Federal audit of style and presentation. c u rrent affairs finalists, includ- Government Funding has ing a dozen for overseas cover- “I’ve got a committee looking dropped effectively by one third age. Nine and Ten got none; at it and issues of pre s e n t a t i o n , in the past 12 years and that it is seven received one and the ABC writing and style…with a similar getting even harder for the c a p t u red the market.” plan for television and radio organisation to fulfil its charter M o n u m e n t a l c u rrent affairs to follow that and now we have further cause review”. for concern. Taking stock of the last few And finally, the ‘cash re g i s t e r ’ : Frequently, when an organisa- months, he described the “ t h e re isn’t a lot of money to tion (especially one in public changes to the 7pm TV news s u p p o rt our goals and aspira- ownership) is readying itself to bulletin as “monumental and tions. News and current aff a i r s sell a non core division, it “tidies l a rgely well accepted.” have been spared a lot of the up” any loose ends. Cancelling “It involved new music, new c o r p o r a t i o n ’s financial agonies; the 30 year custom of a 10 per sets, new colour and new con- but of our annual budget of cent discount for the Friends tent, and…” – no, in re s p o n s e $M130, half goes on salaries, a (continued on page 13)

Page 11 FRESH ATTACK: “ABC hates values of ordinary conservative Australians” At those times when Ministers and the Government aren’t hoeing into the ABC their stalking horses in the print media, particularly News Limited, take up the charge: think Piers Ackerman, but in this instance the baton was passed to Melbourne Herald-Sun columnist Paul Gray.

On the day the Media, On the contrary it’s a stylish, cious argument from dubious E n t e rtainment and Art s e x p l a n a t o ry booklet pre s e n t i n g claims including the Sydney Alliance, (MEAA) launched a a portrait of a strong ABC, but Institute as an authority (!) the nationwide campaign to "take a under financial siege. It’s only tangible example Mr Gray stand for the ABC", Gray used entitled “ABC: the Eyes and Ears can find – if such it is - is the his column to hit out at the of Australia.” Iraqi war and the ABC’s cover- ABC as the ‘national bro a d c a s t e r age thereof – Alston revived, but As Gray concedes, one claim of the secular Left’ full of hatre d not acknowledged. Gray rambles it makes is that commercial net- for the values of ord i n a ry con- on citing the Guardian and the works are obliged to air 150-200 s e rvative Australians. BBC before coming to his shaky hours of new Australian drama but excited conclusion: If that wasn’t wild enough the per year, while the ABC, by rest of the article contained the contrast, is to broadcast less “…ABC bias is not fundamen- usual invective, misinform a t i o n than 20 hours of new Australian tally a question of news and and bias hidden in a stream of drama in 2005. c u rrent affairs coverage, but w o rds - a smoke screens to rather a problem of class sociol- A c c o rding to Gray this is “pre- hide close scrutiny of his claims. o g y. ABC executive Sue Howard sented as self-evidently bad... And what did he say? has re f e rred to this as a vague but is it? s o rt of "middle-classness". More • In this “stirring endeavour”, T h e reafter Gray’s column gets savage critics call it a hatred of the union (obviously a pejora- exceedingly tortuous. Logic and the Australian masses and their tive) was backed by org a n i z a- any sense of quality seems to c o n s e rvative values.” tions of Authors, Scre e n d e s e rt him and he concludes D i rectors, Writers and Scre e n that “where commercial, not Herald Sun, p roducers (the sneer was almost public broadcasters, must pro- 10 October 2005 audible...they would, wouldn’t duce a higher quotient of local t h e y ! ) TV drama makes perfect sense”, restraining the commerc i a l s ’ • After all, with a $ 7 7 3 m t a x- p rofit motive by forcing them p a y e r-funded budget (emphasis to commission higher levels of ours) and a “largely tame board ” Australian drama. “ I’ve always loved radio. ( really) it faces no perc e p t i b l e Mornings was Gary But that’s not the arg u m e n t . t h reat to its existence. (!) (And O’Callaghan and Sammy The issue is the ABC’s ability to of course the budget figure is Sparrow until pop meant exaggerated by $150m.) p roduce Australian drama and to a greater extent than the the 2SM Good Guys He describes the ABC funding p rojected, miserable 20-hours a introduced the songs that adequacy and efficiency inquiry y e a r. would become the diary of as the MEAA’s “excuse” for adolescence. Many years The union's "Eyes and Ears" acting and claims the aim is to later, what’s changed? campaign – writes Gray - seems lobby for increased funding Talkback. That’s all. designed…to extend the power and to give the ABC re s o u rc e s Commercial radio now: and prestige of the ABC within equivalent to its commerc i a l AM, Bandwagon talkback, the Australian media. (yes – competitors and to mandate water cooler drivel as w h a t ’s wrong with that?) i n c reased Australian-made con- talkback thought-starters, tent on the ABC. So what’s Gray goes onto claim that competitions, finance and w rong with that? Except that in the absence of market forces weather, quizzes, traffic, i t ’s not as bald as Gray makes it. in the ABC’s environment, some more talkback, then an other factor must “dominate Then he sneers again – “All inflammatory lunatic with its day-to-day working culture . ” this and heaven too?”, he asks, talkback.“ That factor, he says, is staff and proceeds to dismiss the c o n t ro l . – John Doyle at the 10th annual M E A A’s booklet accompanying Andrew Olle Memorial lecture the campaign as painting a And the evidence he off e r s ? “piteous picture” of the ABC. In another 500 words of spe-

Page 12 proper demarcation between political associations and broad- casting independence, some claim McDonald has been "captured" by the ABC. This is probably more a matter of perception than fact. Where all this leaves Balding, 53, is anyone's guess. Some believe Balding always saw the job in terms of a single, five-year Prime Minister John Howard Richard Alston incumbency. But he's relatively young. His low profile, hardwork- Sticking with the devil ing, pragmatic persona has earned him a fair deal of internal and we know external goodwill. Perhaps Balding, too, should remain. History and skeletons: The Australian’s “Scribe” wondered who would be best PM for the national Anyway, it's just possible we've been overly kind to Howard. We broadcaster, Howard or Costello, and - drum roll - may never really know how much recommends Howard. of Alston's unrelenting hostility towards the ABC actually emanat- The executive structure of the swayed the then board towards ed from the Prime Minister's ABC could collapse like a house of Balding. office. cards without Howard. It was There'd be those who'd probably Howard who appointed - then The Australian recall Howard's demeanour as reappointed - its chairman, 15/9/05 (Abridged) chaos raged around the then trou- Donald Benjamin McDonald. It bled national broadcaster. In was McDonald, with a little help sofar as it could be judged from from some friends, who disposed (continued from page 11) the outside, Howard took a states- Getting Rid of Friends Discount and installed manlike step back. Russell Balding in Shier's stead. could be seen as an indicator that Ignoring Costello, Kroger, Almost simultaneously, the ABC this commercial arm of the ABC Chisholm and Alston, the Prime ceased to resemble a circus and wishes to distance itself from our Minister properly left the matter went back to broadcasting. organisation. to McDonald and the board. Some But McDonald's second term may regard it as one of Howard's There is a certain lack of sense expires in the middle of next year finest broadcasting policy hours. in getting rid of the 10 per cent and Howard may be far more discount to Friends of the ABC “The scribe” tends towards inclined to invite McDonald back members. Many of us have pre- encouraging the Prime Minister to than would Costello. The ferred to purchase books, cd’s and reappoint McDonald. The chair- Treasurer is close to former ABC dvd’s from the ABC shops which man has made mistakes. But, director Michael Kroger. must have increased revenue. We then, who hasn't? He has learned believe most of us do it out of a By wide consensus, Kroger isn't a great deal about public broad- sense of loyalty, more than the 10 close to McDonald. In truth, casting during the past nine years per cent discount and because we there were boardroom occasions and it's always a pity to waste want our money to support the when McDonald, 67, didn't feel hard-earned wisdom. himself to be desperately close to ABC. “captured” Kroger. Nor is McDonald interna- Management has also cancelled tionally famous for being all that (Those) already marshalling the custom of the last 30 years close to another Costello ally, arguments as to why Howard that allowed the Friends of the Richard Alston. shouldn't reappoint McDonald ABC to place its joining pam- Gently swayed will remind you the chairman was phlets and stock of the Friends’ seriously ill early last year and he magazines in ABC shops. Both of This could all contain ramifica- probably doesn't want to these items have always been tions for Balding, whose term remain…but it's also fact he made supplied and delivered free of expires in 2007. Kroger, Costello, a solid recovery and would almost charge to the shops and have only Sam Chisholm and Alston consti- certainly consider another term. required a small amount of shelf tuted a formidable lobby to get There are those who may space. Whatever will be next? Trevor Kennedy the managing misinterpret McDonald's various Banning Friends from the ABC director's job. The quartet didn't disputes with…Kroger and Alston. Headquarters? take it terribly graciously when, in Instead of crediting McDonald May 2002, McDonald gently with identifying a sensible and

Page 13 cities. Ve ry little of that’s going on …an Australian content n o w, it’s becoming less accessible to o rd i n a ry people in the capital cities. quota for the ABC? I don’t want to sidetrack the inter- view by going down that path – The Member for Hinkler (Qld), Paul Neville, is low profile but influential - Chair of the federal Backbench Communications C r i t t e n d e n : But they are Committee who took up an wide-ranging discussion on the connected, are n ’t they? ‘media’ with Stephen Crittenden on Radio National last October. N e v i l l e : They are. If you’re not With the Telstra legislation more or less out of the way, Neville’s fostering an atmosphere of excel- committee is beginning to turn its mind to other issues, such as lence in drama you get what we’re the state of the ABC’s drama production. now experiencing on commerc i a l television – Big Brother Uncut and Stephen Crittenden: Paul, I C r i t t e n d e n : Well I should ask S u rvivor and so on – really dumb- want to turn to content. I know you to express a view dire c t l y. Is it ing down national television. And you are particularly concern e d time for the ABC to be given some while those programs are flourish- about drama on Australian televi- kind of minimum Australian ing there ’s going to be fewer oppor- sion – and the decline of drama content quota – perhaps even a tunities for our young drama gradu- p a rticularly at the ABC, which is minimum Drama quota - and fund- ates and practitioners of the theatre down to 20 hours this year. ed to produce it? to get a fair slice of radio and Paul Neville: Yes, it’s a big con- N e v i l l e : Yes, that’s my view. television opport u n i t i e s . c e rn of mine, and I’ve expre s s e d T h a t ’s strongly my view and it’s a C r i t t e n d e n : Coming back to the this concern in the Party room, view I put to my colleagues. I’ll tell ABC, how do you ensure the extra you why, Stephen. I think at the C r i t t e n d e n : How widely is that money the ABC would pre s u m a b l y training level Australia has pro b a b l y c o n c e rn shared in the Party ro o m ? be funded to do all this is actually never been at a better state. We spent on drama and not more N e v i l l e : I don’t think it’s widely have NIDA in Sydney and WA PA in crappy panel shows? s h a red but there ’s a growing aware- We s t e rn Australia. We have a lot of ness. When you turn on and you universities now turning out excel- N e v i l l e : In the past I would have have a lot of American police and lent students - some of them going said you needed some legislative c o u rt room drama-type shows, and into teaching but others are going guidelines, but I must say Russell reality TV like Big Brother I think into the industry. There ’s a wealth Balding I think has a more pragmat- t h e re ’s a general realisation that – of great talent available in Australia ic view of things - because of that hey – we don’t have any good and some of the more mature h e ’s trusted and understood. If you shows anymore – or we don’t have talent holds its own in Hollywood w e re going to have an Australian as many good shows, especially and London, on the West End, content quota there would have to Australian ones, as we used to. And and so on. It seems incongruous to be something implicit…I’d like to the cradle of a lot of that drama is me when you’ve got that level of see the funding segmented. …you the ABC. And if the ABC is not pro- e x p e rtise that our drama content on d o n ’t want one section more domi- ducing it – if the ABC is not giving the national broadcaster should be nant than another – News and leadership there – there ’s little d ropping. C u rrent Affairs is important, ru r a l incentive for the commercials to b roadcasting is important, drama Stephen Crittenden: I must say want to do it…they’ve got content and television series are impor- y o u ’ re the only politician apart regulations; perhaps it’s time to t a n t … i t ’s important balance be f rom Jeff Kennett that I have ever consider whether the ABC should maintained – h e a rd make this connection also have a content (quota). between the outlets and the ramifi- C r i t t e n d e n : but isn’t it under- C r i t t e n d e n : Does the ABC need cations that occur all the way along mining the ABC’s independence the same kind of minimum the line for actors and writers and and the right of the Board to Australian content quota imposed d i rectors, even in the area of inno- allocate re s o u rc e s ? vation in television. on the commercial networks? N e v i l l e : Yes to a point... N e v i l l e : Yes, one of the re a s o n s N e v i l l e : Well, I make no Crittenden: Yo u ’ re saying you this hasn’t been addressed very seri- apology for it. I had an early d o n ’t trust the Board to allocate to ously in the past is that there was a g rounding in the arts and I think in the things you want to watch. tacit understanding that the ABC some respects that re g i o n a l was the cradle of that sort of drama; Australia is less well served now Neville: What I am suggesting is and second the Act (gives) the ABC than it was 35 years ago. When I that there be some intervention to independence and free movement was State Secre t a ry of the Art s boost the level of drama in this in the market. I suppose any Council we toured such things as c o u n t ry, not just for the sake of the g o v e rnment would be reluctant to the Australian Ballet, the ABC and for the sake of the viewers change that. I don’t think the Elizabethan Trust Opera Company of the ABC but for the whole fre e - alteration of putting a content level (now Australian Opera) – to-air television community so that in there necessarily impinges on the J . C . Williamson shows when they we have a better standard of drama A B C ’s independence. It just sets w e re international toured country f rom this country. a benchmark (to) foster Australian a reas. The symphony orc h e s t r a s content, especially drama. played in the major pro v i n c i a l

Page 14 (continued from page 1) Is the Media Failing Australia? Robert Manne: …the ABC is ment to turn it around…to say it’s balance of opinion which we self-conscious about accusations intolerable…people locked up and need…and third in the ‘commen- it’s left-wing and it bends over journalists (not) allowed to see tariat’ as it’s called, there’s a very backwards not to allow the criti- what’s happening and the conse- aggressive right-wing pack which cism to hold…I think it has a quences of that detention. I think goes for people who dissent… nervousness and lack of tough- the ABC would have been, to be with a sort of viciousness I’ve not ness which in my view in the last honest, frightened to make a previously experienced in few years were needed…not as campaign of government policy Australia. It’s had a big effect on robust as it’s been… on Nauru to go there for years. public debate. …one example...the asylum It seems to me Australia has Richard Aedy: The ABC, in two seeker issue…one of the really passed through a sort of counter- articles by Margaret Simons (‘Fear great scandals…we lock up people revolution and many people who and Loathing at the ABC’) and on Nauru, don’t allow journalists are small-l liberal, not necessarily also by , comes to there…for years. I would have left-wing, understand something off as “timid, under funded and liked the ABC to play a major role big has happened to the country really not what it was. in putting pressure on the govern- …and they wonder whether there’s a coming back from it or how long it will take…one of the reasons is…we have a media which hasn’t held the govern- How will the new ment to account. Aedy: What’s to be done? If Anti-Terror Laws affect these are problems, what are the the ABC? solutions? Manne: First thing is identify To what extent will the new Anti-Te r ror laws limit the the problem and debate it. If A B C ’s capacity to maintain its investigative reporting? there was a big argument about If a reporter sees something “classified” happening in the the role of the Murdoch press in suburbs of any state of the nation, will he or she be national politics…in particular about media regulation laws…and p revented from reporting altogether because of risk of deregulation…if those debates being prosecuted for breaching “security”? took place…and it would have to In a democracy, one of the duties of the media is to be in this case Fairfax and the report on what is happening in the nation. Whether it ABC…it’s not possible the relates to the police, business, ecology, just about any- Murdoch press (would) describe things honestly…discussed with a thing, including organisations such as the ASIO. All sort of intensity – Murdoch’s should be held accountable otherwise our democracy is absurd dominance of the main- c o m p romised. If some areas are out of bounds to stream press…the need to break reporters then what will be in place to ensure the new up what might be called a duop- powers are not abused? oly…almost a monopoly in the mainstream press and if we Please write to your local member and your state discussed television becoming Senators of all parties and tell them how distressed you dominated by those who a re at the possibility that we will have an even more dominate the newspapers – then I truncated ABC. Keep on telling them. It often looks like think something good will have nothing is happening, but if ENOUGH of you write – snail come from the book. mail is best – politicians do listen. Our huge rally at the Sydney Opera House is credited with near- i m m e d i a t e “Do Not Disturb: Is the Media special grants made to fund ABC rural and regional Failing Australia?” (Contributors p rograms. So don’t think what we do doesn’t make an include David Marr, Jack i m p ression. It does. Keep up the good work! Waterford, Richard Glover, and Margaret Simons) from Schwartz Penelope To l t z Publishers – Black Inc. Agenda. Rrp $29.95

Page 15 S TATE AND REGIONAL BRANCHES

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