Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. quarterly newsletter December 2008 Vol 16, No.9 update friends of the abc fear of the “dumbing down” of RN that has its supporters so concerned. After all, AUNTY GETS IT we have all watched in dismay as some ABC Local Radio has been reduced to the intellectual level of commercial radio without the ads! WRONG AGAIN – Unquestionably, the decision to so radically change the RN lineup has been very badly handled by ABC management, and the bland and reassuring general statements which have been issued since Stephen Crittenden aired the matter on his program have done little to allay fears of the loyal RN audience. From Radio National Manager Jane Connors: “2008 has BADLY been a strong year for ABC Radio National and with the planned changes, 2009 offers A word from the NSW President - Mal Hewitt growth in depth and breadth of its content available, delivered in ways audiences There are times when the moved from its early Sunday morning enjoy.” Tell us how, Jane, with the countless advocates for and timeslot, convenient for conductors and replacement of nine programs with one supporters of the ABC choristers before they headed off to new one! across the country are services, to very late on Sunday night, long forced to shake their heads after they have all gone to bed! in bewilderment at the decisions of ABC • It has happened again with the axing of Management regarding “The Religion Report,” essential listening inside popular programs of outstanding quality. for both the faithful and the faithless at a Plaudits for Play School 3 time when, right across the world, leaders Senator Conroy Media Release 4 • It happened when “Earthbeat,” the of nations justify their decisions on The Future of the ABC 5 specialist weekly environment program, religious grounds and claim to be acting at was scrapped at the precise time that the the prompting of their particular God. A Please let the Government know 6 rest of the world suddenly awoke to the time, it would seem, when a specialist What are they doing to realization that our very future could program like “The Religion Report” would Radio National? 7 depend on our understanding of the cause be enhanced, not eliminated. The dumbing down of and effect of human activity and global Radio National 7 warming, issues so effectively covered in WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON AT Press Release from ABC 8 “Earthbeat.” RADIO NATIONAL? ABC Radio Cuts draw a • It happened when “Australia Talks Back,” The firestorm that has descended on the religious sermon 9 essential listening at 6.05 pm each ABC and consequent disastrous press, the Senate questions axing of weekday for anybody interested in ripples of which have reached as far as the Religion Report 9 probing, intelligent discussion of national Federal Parliament, was utterly predictable Radio National - Members issues, was replaced by the exceedingly when one considers the Radio National have their say 10 audience. bland “Australia Talks,” and the brilliant Illawarra Branch lobbies broadcaster Sandy McCutcheon was It is intelligent, it is educated and it is local MPs 12 replaced by a presenter for whom the articulate, and it is highly unlikely to take Radio National Issue in English language seems to be a challenge, kindly to being told by ABC management SMH letters 13 what it wants on its network. Radio let alone the subtleties of many topics Radio National Under Threat 14 covered. National listeners were encouraged to respond to a recent survey, but the survey Branch News 15 • It happened at Classic FM when “For the dealt only with method of delivery of New Teeth for Aunty - God Who Sings,” essential listening for all programs, not the far more important issue Reinvigorating the National involved in presenting church music, was of program content, and it is the very real Broadcaster. Part 2 16 Page 1 In the following piece, of which Sir outstanding quality despite constantly Update Publication Information Humphrey would have been proud: “A diminishing resources with which to work. major development for the network will be Friends of the ABC will be arguing the introduction of a new radio features Update is published four times a year by strenuously that the government should program and an increase in online features Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. (FABC), provide the ABC with substantially more PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059. content. These program changes allow RN funds in 2009 in order that the ABC may to convert a small number of positions Printpost approved PP245059/00002 fulfil its charter in every respect, but we into roles with a stronger online and would like to have confidence that ABC To become a member phone digital editorial focus and to enable general Management will display responsible (02) 9990 0600 or email to enhancements to the network’s website.” [email protected] stewardship in handling any funding Somebody was paid to write that?? or access our website increase. www.fabcnsw.org.au. SOME ANSWERS PLEASE, Mr. SCOTT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INQUIRY Extracts from newspapers and other A publicly funded broadcaster is ultimately INTO PUBLIC BROADCASTING publications appearing in Update do not answerable to its audience, who provide its necessarily reflect the views of the The Rudd Government has invited funds, and the seeming arrogance members of FABC. submissions from the public into its inquiry underlying the decisions at Radio National Update is distributed to all members of into the future of the ABC and SBS. In this does not sit well with that audience. FABC, as part of the membership fee. Update, Darce Cassidy has provided a Update is also supplied to journalists, Can you please tell us, Mark Scott: detailed guide to the writing of a politicians and libraries across Australia. submission – I urge all ABC supporters to It is edited and produced in Sydney but • Upon which audience surveys regarding take the opportunity to tell the government contributions are welcome from NSW country RN content were the decisions based? and interstate branches. what you think (it must be done by Material may be quoted or reproduced • What was the involvement of ABC staff December 12th), and why the ABC must from Update provided the source is and presenters in the decision making receive a substantial increase in funding in acknowledged and reproduction is sent to process? the 2009 budget if it is to meet the the President FABC. minimum requirements of its charter. • Why are you proposing the making of Would you like to receive Update specialist programs for podcasting only, RUPERT MURDOCH AS BOYER magazine electronically? when the cost of broadcasting those Save the planet's trees and The Friends LECTURER programs is minimal? printing and postage costs and read Update It is somewhat bizarre that the ABC Board magazine on your computer. • If the changes are a reaction to the considers Rupert Murdoch a suitable person Each quarter, when Update is published, you growth of your online audience, are not the to be lecturing Australians on anything! He will receive an email with a link to the latest programs being downloaded the very issue (each magazine is around 0.5MB). who abandoned his Australian citizenship You can try this now by going to our programs you’re getting rid of? in order to make a buck in the US, whose appalling Fox network has provided such website at www.fabcnsw.org.au and • Are you not aware that, whether over or clicking on Update. an enthusiastic cheersquad for the totally under the age of 50, the audience for Radio If you prefer this delivery option for future discredited Bush regime and its disastrous National, both on line and on air, is Updates please send an email to the adventure in Iraq, and whose minions actually looking for programs of depth and Membership Secretary. writing in his Australian publications dare intellectual rigour, in fact the very specialist accuse the ABC of bias, and argue Who to write… programs you seem to want to get rid of? Anyone seeking basic information about vehemently for its demise. But I suppose writing to persons of influence might find it Elsewhere in Update we provide when some of those critics are actually helpful to go to the FABC NSW website extensive coverage of reaction to the members of the ABC Board, it’s not so www.fabc.org.au where there are some decisions regarding Radio National, a surprising that they would give their boss menu items under "Be Active" leading to reflection of the strength of feeling that the kind of platform that the Boyer Lectures pages of information: Who can I write to? the decisions have aroused. provide. It only serves to strengthen the What can I say? argument for a new process of appointing WHAT MESSAGE CAN WE GLEAN the ABC Board, and we applaud the Rudd FABC (NSW) Executive Committee FROM ABC FUNDING PRIORITIES? Government’s moves in that direction. Office Bearers President - Mal Hewitt It is no secret that the Radio National PLAY SCHOOL RECOGNIZED Phone: 9637 2900 specialist units operate on minimal Email: [email protected] budgets. The Religion Report gave us I am delighted to announce that the Secretary & Treasurer - James Buchanan insights, information, opinion and debate, Friends of the ABC 2008 Award for Phone: 9371 5621 every week throughout the year on a Excellence in Broadcasting will be presented Email: [email protected] budget of around $200,000 to cover to Play School, one of those unique ABC Membership Secretary - Angela Williamson salaries, technical production, research and jewels which has been leading the way in Phone: 9416 4463 travel.