Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. quarterly newsletter December 2012 UPDATE Vol 20, No. 3 incorporating Background Briefi ng friends of the abc BUSINESS JOURNALISM Nick McKenzie and Richard Baker, 7.30, ABC wins eight ABC TV and The Age, Fairfax, “RBA faces questions over bribery connections” INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISM Matthew Carney and Thom Cookes, Four Walkley Awards Corners, ABC TV, “In their sights” BROADCAST AND ONLINE BC journalists and crew collected ABC Radio’s Nance Haxton won INTERVIEWING Aeight Walkley Awards for Excellence the Radio News and Current Affairs Leigh Sales, 7.30, ABC TV, “Interviews in Journalism at last night’s 57th Walkley Reporting award for “Justice system fails with Tony Abbott, Scott Morrison and ceremony in Canberra. disabled victims of sexual abuse”. Christine Milne”. Awards included Most Outstanding Claudia Taranto, Amanda Gearing and WALKLEY DOCUMENTARY AWARD Contribution to Journalism, won by Peter Louis Mitchell won in the Radio Feature, Celeste Geer, Rebel Films/ABC TV, “Then Cave, who retired from the ABC this year Documentary or Broadcast Special the Wind Changed” after a long and distinguished career as category for their 360documentaries TELEVISION CURRENT AFFAIRS, one of Australia’s most recognised and piece, “The day that changed FEATURE OR SPECIAL (MORE THAN respected foreign correspondents. Grantham”. 20 MINUTES) ABC TV’s “Then the Wind Changed”, Mary Ann Jolley, Geoff Thompson and by Strathewen resident and director Peter Mary Fallon, Four Corners, ABC TV, Celeste Geer about the devastating 2009 “Unholy silence” Cave fi res, won the Documentary Award. MOST OUTSTANDING ABC Managing Director Mark Scott, CONTRIBUTION TO JOURNALISM said “the depth and quality of ABC Peter Cave journalism was on show across all categories with the winners reporting on issues from international to political, business to social justice as well as in- ABC fl agship current affairs programs, Inside Update depth analysis from fl oods to fi res. Four Corners and 7.30 took home two From the President 2 Walkleys each. All our nominees and winners demonstrate why more than ever Geraldine Doogue 3 Mary Ann Jolly, Geoff Thompson and Australians are turning to the ABC for Statement from Quentin Dempster 4 Mary Fallon won for their Four Corners Matt Peacock 4 investigation into child sex abuse in the News and Current Affairs”. Senate to examine closely ABC TV 5 Catholic Church, “Unholy silence”, while Backlash for ABC on state closure 6 Matthew Carney and Thom Cookes won ABC Walkley Winners Somerville 6 the International Journalism award for their RADIO NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS ABC eroded: Moving to Radio Four Corners exclusive “In their sights”, REPORTING National Lite 7 which revealed Australia’s kill-capture Nance Haxton, ABC Radio, “Justice ABC’s foul kick to reconciliation 8 strategy in Afghanistan. system fails disabled victims of sexual Mark Colvin’s ‘incisive voice’ 7.30 host Leigh Sales won the Broadcast still guiding, 15 years on 9 abuse” and Online Interviewing category for Radio drama faces OFF switch 10 RADIO FEATURE, DOCUMENTARY her interviews with Tony Abbott, Scott 25 years of doing much more... 12 OR BROADCAST SPECIAL Morrison and Christine Milne. Reporter ABC will axe its radio plays... 12 Nick McKenzie took out the Business Claudia Taranto, Amanda Gearing and Branch News 13 Journalism award for his work with Louis Mitchell 360documentaries, ABC FABC (NSW) 2012 Biennial The Age’s Richard Baker, “RBA faces Radio National, “The day that changed Conference Papers 15 questions over bribery connections”. Grantham” Page 1 FFRIRI 001818 NNewsletter.inddewsletter.indd 1 77/12/12/12/12 111:171:17 AAMM Update Publication Information From the President Update is published three times a year by Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. (FABC), PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059. Printpost approved PP245059/00002 Walkley Awards with a particular focus on Aboriginal footballers and the communities To become a member phone As this edition of Update goes to print, from which they come. This (02) 9990 0600 or email to the 2012 Walkley Award winners [email protected] unique opportunity to celebrate have been announced. Once again or access our website the outstanding achievements of ABC staff have featured prominently www.fabcnsw.org.au. Aboriginal sportspeople and to present in all categories across radio and Extracts from newspapers and other a host of positive role models has been television, and we are reminded of publications appearing in Update do not sacrifi ced, apparently for budgetary necessarily reflect the views of the the great depth of talent on which reasons. It stating the obvious that members of FABC. the ABC draws to bring us news and commercial television would never Update is distributed to all members of information of depth and quality. We FABC, as part of the membership fee. run such a show – how much more should recognise especially the award Update is also supplied to journalists, important it is that the ABC be seen to politicians and libraries across Australia. of Most Outstanding Contribution to be providing a platform for indigenous It is edited and produced in Sydney but Journalism to Peter Cave, who retired people to express pride in achievement, contributions are welcome from NSW country this year after a long and distinguished and interstate branches. “contribute to national identity, and career as a foreign correspondent, Material may be quoted or reproduced refl ect cultural diversity.” (The Charter) from Update provided the source is bringing us news and analysis from acknowledged and reproduction is sent to many of the world’s most diffi cult and The Shrinking Radio National the President FABC. dangerous trouble spots. We record Would you like to receive Update that the outstanding record of ABC 12 months ago, major changes were magazine electronically? foreign correspondents in bringing announced to the Radio National Save the planet's trees and The Friends us the news often comes at great printing and postage costs and read Update schedule for 2012, with a defi nite magazine on your computer. personal cost. Mark Colvin, who has move away from the specialised Each quarter, when Update is published, you just completed his fi fteenth year as programs for which Radio National was will receive an email with a link to the latest presenter of PM, almost lost his life and so renowned. Further changes have issue (each magazine is around 0.5MB). is permanently disabled as a result of You can try this now by going to our been signalled for 2013, including the website at www.fabcnsw.org.au and a virus contracted whilst covering the total disappearance of radio drama, clicking on Update. massacres in Rwanda. On November and further reduction in credible Arts If you prefer this delivery option for future 2nd, Mark delivered the Andrew Olle coverage, along with a cut of $1m to Updates please send an email to the Media Lecture for 2012, entitled “How Membership Secretary. the RN budget. Friends understands the Media can survive at the moment that a person called the ABC Controller, Who to write… of extreme crisis.” Anyone seeking basic information about Brendan Dahill, has been given fi ve writing to persons of influence might find it Hobart Television Production years to change the RN demographic helpful to go to the FABC NSW website from over 65 to 18 – 40. We hope that www.fabc.org.au where there are some Axed menu items under "Be Active" leading to Mr. Dahill realises that even the 18 – 40 pages of information: Who can I write to? That moment of extreme crisis came age group will expect both depth and What can I say? to the sixteen ABC staff in Hobart quality from Radio National programs. recently when Mark Scott fl ew in to FABC (NSW) Executive Committee Any thoughts of Radio National in announce the closure of television Office Bearers 2012 must bring to mind the tragic loss production facilities in Hobart. This President - Mal Hewitt of Alan Saunders, a superb broadcaster, Phone: 02 9637 2900 follows the cessation of television an incisive mind and a wonderful radio Email: [email protected] production in Brisbane, Perth and presence. He is sorely missed by his Secretary & Treasurer - James Buchanan Adelaide. However, the announcement Phone: 02 9371 5621 was quickly followed by the ABC colleagues and his appreciative Email: [email protected] establishment of a Senate Committee audience. Membership Secretary - Angela Williamson to inquire into the disappearance of Phone: 02 4883 4048 The Staff-Elected Director Email: [email protected] television production in all capital cities but Sydney and Melbourne, Friends were delighted at the passage of Update Editor - Mal Hewitt PO Box 1391 N. Sydney NSW 2059 and whether the ABC can be seen to the long-awaited legislation in Federal Email: [email protected] be meeting its Charter obligations to Parliament to restore the position of Cartoonist - Phil Somerville represent “all Australians.” Staff-elected Director to the ABC Board, Editorial Cartoonist for The Sun Herald and supported strongly the candidacy (Sydney) Hard to Fathom [email protected] of Quentin Dempster for that position. Quentin has recently advised ABC Layout Artist - Paul Martens Also diffi cult to justify is the axing [email protected] of the Marngrook Football Show on staff that the legislation restricts an ABC 2, a program where indigenous appointee to two terms (of 5 years Membership Line: 02 9990 0600 presenters and panellists discussed the each). Quentin has already served two issues of Australian Football, terms (but of 2 years each), but the Page 2 FFRIRI 001818 NNewsletter.inddewsletter.indd 2 77/12/12/12/12 111:171:17 AAMM bill does not allow for the difference platforms.