🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <31f8afa8.4079629@news.mel.aone.net.au> douglas.buckser@acslink.aone.net.au (doug buckser) writes:
>From: douglas.buckser@acslink.aone.net.au (doug buckser)
>Subject: Re: Another Bloody Commercial Channel
>Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 05:31:32 GMT

>G'day Graham,

>>The 500-million you speak of (even if accurate) should be taken in 
>>context.
>>
>>That not only funds ABC-TV, but 7 radio networks, 6 symphony orchestras,
>>and a myriad of other functions.

>The newspapers in Melbourne have used the figure of $540,000,000 per
>year.  In these difficult financial times, perhaps some of the ABC's
>out-of-scope activities should be merged.

Such as what ?

>>I will concede that there is some wastage in the ABC .. but significantly
>>less than is commonly believed.

>To be honest, I'm not sure about this.  It's my understanding that the
>production costs of ABC programs are significantly higher than their
>commercial counterparts, because of rather old-fashioned work
>practices.

This might be true, but I think you will find that a great deal of the costs 
are because of modern work practices. In the OHS arena for example, there are 
restrictions on the number of hours you can spend infront of a work 
station/terminal/VDU. These things are strictly adhered to by the ABC, yet the 
rest of the industry is slightly more lax about the whole thing.

>And the management structure appears to contain quite a
>bit of duplication.

Well, with people breathing down their necks about accountability, they have 
to be careful.

>>And that's without even mentioning the only news that can really say it
>>operates without fear or favor. I know some don't like the ABC's alleged 
>>bias .. but ask yourself .. what would Australia be like without the ABC?

>I'm sorry, but I don't agree with your statement that ABC news
>operates without fear or favour.

It is human nature to have some bias and sure it happens at the ABC, but there 
is no doubt that the ABC has less to worry about in terms of commentary than 
any of the commercial stations.

>At least in Melbourne, the local ABC
>news coverage has been rather shamelessly political at times.

Just like the attack on the ABC.

>Personally, I thought the lowlight was when an ABC camera crew
>followed Jeff Kennett into a loo.

Nothing different coming from Jeff then ?

>Another interesting aspect is that many of the ABC presenters used to
>be on the staff of Labor politicians.  For example, it's my
>understanding that Kerry O'Brien used to work for Whitlam and the
>chief national political reporter used to work for Hawke.  Do you know
>if this is true?

True or not true is besides the point, it is only for AEC jobs that you have 
to have non-political credentials.

>Regarding the alleged bias, I can quickly identify five progressive
>national or regional ABC presenters, but I can't think of five
>conservative ones.  Since you're more familiar with the ABC, can you
>name five conservative presenters who we might hear in Melbourne?

In my opinion, good journalists have to be informed people, informed people 
are not conservative. Quid Pro Quo.

>>I worked in commercial radio/TV  for 15 years, and know how many stories I 
>>was forced to pull because it may impact on the station's bottom line. 
>>I do NOT want to see the same happen to the ABC.

>I understand your beliefs on this point and agree with them.  However,
>I think that the ABC has certain sacred cows and it's obvious that
>stories have been pulled.  I don't recall any ABC stories on:

>1. Investigation of fiscal incompetence by Aboriginal organisations

I do, a Four Corners program on ATSIC, but being a "left wing" program in your 
opinion it is not surprising that you didn't see it.

>2. Sympathetic coverage of pro-gun or anti-immigration views (to
>   balance the sympathetic coverage of their opponents).

I'm sorry, but not every view can be expressed or reflected by the ABC. 

>3. Conflict between rival Aboriginal organisations

See 1.

>4. Commercial sponsorship of ABC programs (which I understand which
>   was broken by the Sunday program)

This is a tricky one, all I can say is that they are obviously straving for 
funds.

>And so on.

>>Yes, I work for the ABC (and hence my views must be seen in that light)
>>but I also spent a decade-and-a-half in the commercial radio/TV sector, as
>>well as managing a community radio station.

>I certainly respect your professional integrity, but I still think
>you're wrong 8-).

Opinion.

>>Believe me, the issue of the ABC's independence is vital to democracy in 
>>this country.

>Would you mind expanding on this view?  How is the ABC vital to
>democracy?  If we take the extreme case and eliminate the ABC, how
>would democracy be affected?

If you cannot answer that one yourself then you should not be participating in 
this conversation.

>Doug

Cheers
IW