update september 2010

friends of the abc

insideFrom the President 2

Action from NSW Friends of the ABC State Conference 3

Letter to the Editor 3

John Cleary at the Friends of the ABC Conference 4

To our members, their offspring and their friends 5

2010 Election Report 7

Branch News 8

Scott to fire next shot in battle over Australia Network 9

The ABC should not ape itscommercial adversaries 10

Peter McEvoy, Executive Producer ofPublic Affairs for ABC TV, will be the

guest speaker at the Friends of the ABCAnnual Dinner on Friday 17thSeptember. Peter currently directs Q&Aand Big Ideas, two programs that heoriginated and developed for the ABC,but he began his career as a radioreporter, then executive producer ofnews and current affairs at Triple J.

In his own work as a journalist, PeterMcEvoy has been awarded five WalkleyAwards for reports on both radio andTV, including the Gold Walkley, the

Human Rights Award (twice) and theGeorge Munster Award for IndependentJournalism.

Peter McEvoy’s award winning reportshave covered a wide range of issuesincluding the breakdown of air safetysystems in Australia, the naltrexoneheroin treatment trial and thetransmission of HIV in a doctor’s surgery.

In 2001 he produced “Inside Story”,the first documentary to show video frominside Australia’s immigration detentioncentres. The program led eventually to achange in government policy, and the

Background BriefingincorporatingUPDATE

release of children from detention.

From 2000 to 2006, Peter was theexecutive producer of Media Watch, and in2004 received his fifth Walkley Award forMedia Watch’s investigation of “cash forcomment” and improper relations betweenbroadcasters and regulators in a report thatforced the resignation of the chair of theAustralia Broadcasting Authority.

You can hear this distinguished andhighly respected journalist at the FABCdinner, details of which may be found onpage 5 of Update.

HEAR THE MANBEHIND Q&A

and MEDIA WATCHat the FABC DINNER

Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc.quarterly newsletter

September 2010 Vol 18, No.3

FRI 010 Newsletter 26/8/10 12:27 PM Page 1

circulate then before the election.Thank you, Glenys!

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL NSWFABC CONFERENCE

We are indebted to the Blue MountainsBranch for hosting the biennialconference of Friends of the ABC atBlackheath on August 14th and 15th.Thirty three representatives from thebranches and the NSW Executivegathered to discuss, debate, formulatepolicy and to be informed. Mark Scott,Managing Director, paid a ringingtribute to ABC staff who have kept theABC at the forefront of the digitalmedia revolution, and spoke ofexciting plans for the future as the ABCleads the way in new forms ofcommunication, all without anincrease in recurrent funding. Onestatistic alone was impressive – 73% ofAustralians use the ABC in any week.Mark’s address will be published in fullin the next Update.

John Cleary, night-time presenter onSundays on ABC radio brought theperspective of staff and presenters tothe changes which are taking placewithin the ABC, making it clear thatthe resources, particularly in radio, areoften stretched paper thin, and thegoodwill of staff is vital to keeping theABC on the air. John brought to us thewit and wisdom of a long career in theABC, including time as staff-electeddirector and president of the ABC staffunion. Extracts from John’spresentation can be found in thisUpdate.

James Ricketson, an independentproducer of documentaries, told of hisexperience (and frustration) of dealingwith the ABC over a long period oftime in trying to get material screenedwhich elements within the Australiapopulation may find confronting orembarrassing, and showed film that hehad shot in Cambodia which revealsexploitation of powerless people byAustralian business and religiousinterests, material which certainlydeserves an audience in Australia.

Decisions and resolutions from theconference are published in this

As Update goes to print, the fate ofthe Gillard Government is in

the balance.

So is the future of the NationalBroadcasting Legislation AmendmentBill, which changes the method ofappointment of the ABC Board, andrestores the position of the staff-elected director. It remains a failure ofthe Rudd-Gillard Government that,despite both issues being Labor policyprior to the last election, it wasunable to implement policy that isvery important to the future of theABC. Similarly, a decision on theAustralia Network, the government-funded international televisionservice, currently in the hands of theABC. was delayed by the election.Sky/Murdoch is lobbying hard to takeover the network, asking that it besubject to a tender process.

Friends of the ABC has made asubmission to the Minister for ForeignAffairs, asking that the service beretained by the ABC. The newminister, whichever party he/shecomes from, will have to make adecision very soon.

I urge all members of Friends of theABC, and all regional branches, toimmediately contact their localFederal Member to express theirstrong support for passage of theNational Broadcasting LegislationAmendment Bill, and for the ABC toretain control of the AustraliaNetwork, unless we want to see theMurdoch view of the world, alongwith his advertising, broadcast intoAsia and the Pacific by the AustralianGovernment.

In the short period prior to theelection, Friends of the ABC soughtdetails from each of the major partiesregarding their policies in relation tothe ABC. A summary of these policiesis printed in this Update. We aregrateful to Glenys Stradijot,Campaign Manager for VictorianFriends of the ABC, for the enormoustask of compiling and distributingquestionnaires to parties andcandidates, then collecting andcollating the responses in time to

Update is published four times a year byFriends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. (FABC), PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059.

Printpost approved PP245059/00002

To become a member phone (02) 9990 0600 or email [email protected] or access our websitewww.fabcnsw.org.au.

Extracts from newspapers and otherpublications appearing in Update do notnecessarily reflect the views of the members of FABC. Update is distributed to all members ofFABC, as part of the membership fee.Update is also supplied to journalists,politicians and libraries across Australia. It is edited and produced in Sydney butcontributions are welcome from NSW countryand interstate branches. Material may be quoted or reproduced from Update provided the source isacknowledged and reproduction is sent to the President FABC.

Would you like to receive Updatemagazine electronically?Save the planet's trees and The Friendsprinting and postage costs and read Updatemagazine on your computer.Each quarter, when Update is published, youwill receive an email with a link to the latestissue (each magazine is around 0.5MB). You can try this now by going to our website at www.fabcnsw.org.au andclicking on Update.If you prefer this delivery option for futureUpdates please send an email to theMembership Secretary.

Who to write…Anyone seeking basic information aboutwriting to persons of influence might find ithelpful to go to the FABC NSW websitewww.fabc.org.au where there are some menu items under "Be Active" leading topages of information: Who can I write to?What can I say?

FABC (NSW) Executive Committee Office Bearers

President - Mal HewittPhone: 9637 2900Email: [email protected]

Secretary & Treasurer - James BuchananPhone: 9371 5621Email: [email protected]

Membership Secretary - Angela WilliamsonPhone: 9416 4463Email: [email protected]

Update Editor - Mal Hewitt PO Box 1391 N. Sydney NSW 2059Email: [email protected]

Cartoonist - Phil SomervilleEditorial Cartoonist for The Sun Herald(Sydney)[email protected]

Layout Artist - Paul [email protected]

Membership Line: 9990 0600

Update Publication Information

From The President


Update. We again thank the BlueMountains Branch for hosting the2010 conference.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

9th October is the Date for the NSWFABC Annual General Meeting.Details are provided in this Update.Guest speaker will be QuentinDempster, award winning journalist,author and presenter of Stateline inNSW. Quentin has also had a longand distinguished career with theABC, is the current staff-elected

The following resolutions were passed by the recent State Conference,and will be acted on by the NSW Executive:

1 "That in the interests of transparency, the ABC publish budgets andexpenditure for ABC platforms, networks and programs".

CARRIED 11 votes to 1.

2 "We note the ABC's increasing use of a very repetitive commercial styleof promotion and presentation, and we call on management to develop aunique, non-commercial and quality image".

CARRIED unanimously.

3 "That ABC Management be asked to ensure that presenters maintainhigh standards of Australian English language usage".


4 "We urge the incoming government to immediately reintroduce theNational Broadcasting Amendment Bill".


5 "Given the ABC's traditional function as an independent educationalinstitution the 2010 State Conference of the NSW Friends of the ABCrequests that under the rubric of civic education, the public broadcastercommences to produce and broadcast innovative specialist programsabout Australia's public governance systems and possible reforms toaspects of their operations. The format of such programs could includeinterviews, panel discussions and lectures by experts and reformers.Included in such programs should be Electoral Systems, ComparativeRepublicanism, the Australian Constitution, the Westminster System,Federation and alternatives to stimulate decentralization, and the Public Service.


6 "FABC requests that a delegation from the Friends of the ABC be invitedto meet with appropriate ABC personnel to discuss the ABC's policy of"balance" in the commissioning, producing and broadcasting ofdocumentaries".


ACTION FROM NSW FRIENDS OFTHE ABC STATE CONFERENCE

Letter to the EditorDear Editor,

The controversy over what programsthe ABC may, or may not broadcastabout the Israeli/ Gaza ongoingconfrontation needs some maturecompassionate consideration, ratherthan submission to external politicallymotivated restrictions.

The continuing friction betweenIsrael and its neighbours is a matter ofinternational consequence and anongoing deplorable state of affairs forthe common people of both Israel andGaza, who bear the brunt of suffering,not their political leaders.

It is sad to think that both thesepeoples acknowledge their commondescent from Father Abraham, ahuman but caring person, asdescribed in both the Old Testamentand the Koran and yet display suchenmity towards each other.

Reconciliation between theseancient peoples is imperative to worldpeace: unless their wounds are healedand pride abandoned, the abscess willonly fester and grow.

I would like to see the UNheadquarters shifted to Jerusalem andfor that city to become a “free city”,open to all, under UN surveillance.This would help the UN to focus onthe problem more keenly and alsoallow free access for all to the holyplaces in Jerusalem. The operation ofthose holy places would need to becontrolled by people of greatsensitivity and understanding ofcourse, but it is not impossible. Thatwould help take religion out of theequation of conflict.

In the meantime it is apparent thatGaza has no legitimate spokesperson,Hamas being discredited in the eyesof the world, while Israel displays allthe arrogance it has appliedthroughout its long history, reflectingthe attitude of its leaders, but notnecessarily its common people. Someacceptable person needs to speak upfor Gaza.

Meanwhile, the ABC is right to airboth (or all) sides of this shockingsituation.

Yours truly,

R W ManuellMember Friends of the ABC

director, but without a seat on theboard, and has been a wonderfulsupporter of the activities of Friendsof the ABC over many years. He willspeak at 1pm at the SydneyMechanics’ Institute, 169 Pitt St.Sydney.

You will also find advance notice ofthe Friends of the ABC ChristmasParty in this Update.

Mal HewittFABC NSW President


Presenter of SundayNight on ABC Radio,

John Cleary, in a wideranging and veryentertaining presentationto the FABC Conference,spoke with passion on

many issues affecting ABC staff in2010, and brought to bear his vastexperience as an ABC producer andpresenter, a former staff-electeddirector, and former president of theABC staff union.

His address included a number ofmemorable quotes relating to

broadcasting, communication and themedia, which are reproduced below forreaders of Update:

1. Carl Sagan. (American Scientistand author of the series ‘Cosmos’.)‘The dumbing down of America ismost evident in the slow decay ofsubstantive content in theenormously influential media, the 30second sound bites (now down to 10seconds or less), lowest commondenominator programming, credulouspresentations on pseudo- science andsuperstition, but especially acelebrations of ignorance.”

2. General Sir Ian Jacob (DirectorGeneral BBC 1952-59) PublicBroadcasting is ‘ …a compound of asystem of control, an attitude of mind,and an aim, which if successfullyachieved results in a service whichcannot be given by any other means.The system of control is fullindependence, or the maximumdegree of independence thatparliament will accord.

The attitude of mind is anintelligent one capable of attracting tothe service the highest quality ofcharacter and intellect. The aim is togive the best and the mostcomprehensive service of broadcastingto the public that is possible. Themotive that underlies the wholeoperation is a vital factor; it must notbe vitiated by political or commercialconsideration.’ – Report of theCommittee on Broadcasting 1960,Vol.1, Appendix E. HMSO, 1962.

3. Bill Moyers (US Broadcaster andJournalist. Former Press Secretary toUS President Lyndon Johnson.Reflecting on 1964 and the foundingof PBS in the USA. ) “In only a fewyears television had become, in thewords of the FCC chairman "a vastwasteland," a phrase that quicklyentered the lexicon of lost

opportunities. So we sat around inthose meetings - and I emphasize thesitting. Unlike the White Housegeniuses of West Wing andCommander in Chief, we couldn'tthink fast and brilliantly on our feet;We sat around in meetings and talkedabout what television could do fordemocracy.

We talked about how televisioncould be much more of an openmarketplace of ideas, available toeveryone. We talked about howinstead of merely offering predigestedviews of current events or defining"debate" as the off-setting opinions oftwo politicians with vested interest inthe issue, television could be more of areal battle of ideas, where one personmight actually change another's mind.We talked about how television couldbe more than the boss' stenographer -how it would convey the interests andopinions of more people than theeconomic and political elites; how itcould in fact help those elitesunderstand the questions regularpeople asked every day - how to get ajob, how to pay the doctor, how toput food on the table, how to get thekids through school, how to afford oldage - the very questions corporatemedia scarcely valued. All this talk ledto something. It led us to believe thatwhat democracy needed was a trulyfree and independent broadcastingservice - free of both state andcommerce.”

4. Summary of Margaret Visser in‘Beyond Fate’ her Massey lecturesdelivered for the CanadianBroadcasting Corporation in 2002. Shesuggests that we as a society areengaged in a dangerous game of TrivialPursuit. The deluge of informationfrom technologies like the internet arebeing used to reduce knowledge to aseries of disconnected facts all of equalor no value. She suggests there is alsosomething more dangerous at work.

Trivialisation is a process ofbelittlement where distinctions areironed out. Hence, a football gameparticularly today’s, may get the sameamount of coverage as an earthquake.It plays into a consumer culture, inwhich the primary freedom is tochoose, however it is a freedom that ismade meaningless by the veryinsignificance of the choices. A

John Cleary at the Friends of theABC Conference

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Hank Willems, former president and longtime member of Hunter Branch, hascontributed the following for fellowmembers of Friends of the ABC

What makes this an importanttime for us and for the ABC isthat the improvements in

support for the ABC over the last fewyears such as the introduction of theselection of its board members on meritregardless of their political beliefs, thestart of a separate channel just for ourchildren and the introduction of a 24 hournews service just to name a few, arelikely to be at risk should we have achange of government. Therefore if webelieve in the value of our ABC, we mustact now.

Why our ABC is so valuable to usindividually and to us as a nation canbest be appreciated if we look at thebasic premises underlying the operationof commercial broadcasters.

1The principal purpose of commercialbroadcasters is to make money for

their share holders. Mind you, that is yourmoney and mine.

2The way they do this is bybroadcasting advertisements for their

clients or sponsors.

3In order to get an audience, thebroadcasters have to transmit

programmes which they hope willappeal to prospective clients for theofferings of their sponsors.

4Once they have gained the attentionof their audience they cut their

programme to bombard their audiencewith advertisements. Whilst his mayinduce a person or two to availthemselves of the product or serviceoffered, it wastes every other viewer’sor listener’s time.

A sad fact of commercial life is thatthe worse a product or service is, themore advertising it needs to profit itsproducers. You probably noticed thatcommercial TV broad casters translatethis as the louder we must scream.

One of the ploys to keep youwatching or listening is to insert theads just before a highlight in theprogramme. Have you watchedMaster chef? continued over

Dinner withPeter McEvoyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER of PUBLIC AFFAIRS for ABC TV

Date 17th September

Time Doors open 6.30, sit down 7pm

Location Cello’s Restaurant in theCastlereagh Boutique Hotel 169 Castlereagh St. Sydney

Cost $58 per person including two drinks

Bookings must be made by telephone to

Joy 9502 2335 or Paul 9888 3797 or Ivy 94810381(if not answered, please leave a message)

Cello’s Restaurant was opened in 1927, and is one of the last Grand dining rooms in Sydney.

To our members, their offspring and their friends

multitude of meaningless choicesleads to lassitude boredom anddepression. A short term casinoculture.

5. Terry Eagleton is perhapsBritains leading literary critic andcultural theorist, in ‘After Theory’ hestates: ‘Today’s culturaltheory….dislikes the idea of depth,and is embarrassed by fundamentals.It shudders at the notion of theuniversal, and disapproves ofambitious overviews. By and large itcan see such overviews only asoppressive. It believes in the local,the pragmatic, the particular. And inthis devotion, ironically it scarcelydiffers from the conservativescholarship it detests, which likewisebelieves only in what it can see andhandle.

There is however, a much deeperirony. At just the point that we havebegun to think small, history hasbegun to act big. ‘Act locally, thinkglobally’ has become a familiarleftist slogan; but we live in a worldwhere the political right thinksglobally and the post-modern leftthinks locally. As the grand narrativeof capitalist globalisation, and thedestructive reaction which it bringsin its wake unfolds arcross theplanet, it catches these intellectualsat a time when many of them havealmost ceased to think in politicalterms at all. Confronted with animplacable political enemy, and afundamentalist one at that, the Westwill no doubt be forced more andmore, to reflect on the foundationsof its own civilization.’ – AfterTheory pp72-3.


And the winner is----. Yes, thesponsor!

What does this do to the majority ofviewers who do not respond to theadvertisements? It wastes their time! Ido not know the exact percentage oftime broadcasters are allowed to spendon ads but at peak hours it appearsclose to 20%.

We all know time is money. Shouldwe productively spend the time of theadvertisements even at the basic wagethe money this represents is about$2.70 per hour of watching. Alternatelywe would be much better off spendingthis amount of time on some exerciseto keep us fit.

On a nation-wide basis, should theten million people or so who watchcommercial TV for say ten hours perweek be able to use their wasted timeproductively, even at the basic wagethis would amount to 14 billion dollarsannually. Should they make this timeavailable for exercise, two hours a weekof exercise for each of them wouldresult in an increase of fitness for ourpopulation that would keep ourhospitals from bursting at their seamsand thus equally save billions.

Well there you have it, billions ofreasons to watch your ABC instead, butthat is not all, no ads is no fast food adsfor our kids and less obesity.

When it comes to keeping usinformed of what goes on in Australia

and the world around us, the ABC hasits own reporters world wide and doesnot have to wholly rely on AAP andReuters an the like, assuring us of abalanced view of what goes on.

As far as ad free media are concernedare you aware that SBS could be keptfree of ads for no more than a fewdollars per year from each tax payer?This would also be worth going for.Whether we waste time watching ads oncommercials or SBS has the sameconsequences.

It is almost ten years ago that we gottogether to define what we collectivelystand for as friends of the ABC whichmakes it high time for us to recall whatthat was. This is it:

These notes are an outline of a basisfor a Newcastle Branch of the Friends ofthe A B C as I see it.

1. Definition of the purpose of theFriends.

1.1 Find and state the charter underwhich the ABC was established.

1.2 Once we know this charter, establishhow and when this charter has beenviolated by subsequent governments. Weneed this well researched, regularlyupdated and in print.

1.3 The task of the Friends will be to act to restore the A B C to a positionwhere it can fulfil whatever function it wasestablished to fulfil and where it will beadequately financed to do so. (Thiscannot be done without 1.1 and 1.2 first.)

2. How do we do this?

2.1 By exerting political pressure.

2.2 By membership drives.

2.3 By publication of letters to editors,articles in the press, leaflet distributionetc.

2.4 By press and TV advertisements.

2.5 By arranging meetings and rallies,developing people power.

3. What are the resources we have todo this?

3.1 Our skills such as; organisationalskills, educational skills, skills inpsychology, political skills, skills inpublicity. Many of us are retiredlecturers, good training for a bit of largescale brainwashing!

3.2 A little bit of money, improve by 2.2.

4. How do we apply our resourcesmost efficiently to our aims?

4.1 Analyse our targets such as find theweak spots in our politicians, (they makethis one very easy lately.) Things have notchanged much, have they?

4.2 In all we do we should ask ourselvesif it is the most effective way to do thingsfor instance is the person we target theone who can make a difference or shouldwe target the person at the top andmerely inform his underlings that we didso?

That was that, it shows that there isplenty to do for us and we need everyone of us on the job. (have fun)

Use-by dates and all that rotWhere people in all age groups benefitfrom access to the ABC, the elderly haveonly some years left to enjoy this whillethe young will have most of their life time.What this means is that we shouldencourage membership and participationby people of the younger generation whowill benefit the most. This poses thequestion,

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

I don’t know the best answer but it isquite possible that we can collectivelywork out the best way.This raises thesame question.

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

This time the answer is simple: Come toour AGM , have your say and do your bitof stirring!

Remember: The younger you are, themore important it is to you to have ahealthy ABC.

Hank Willems (Committee member aged 83)

DavidStrattonin ArmidaleAt the invitation of Friends of theABC and the Arts Department of the University of New England,renowned film critic David Strattonwill be in Armidale on 6th Novemberto show a film and give a talk.

The event will take place at the Arts Theatre, UNE, at 6.30pmOn Saturday 6th November 2010


Supporting the ABC

2010 Election Report

Key issues: Independence - Funding International Broadcasting

from political & commercial influence

Friends of the ABC's election report is a summary assessment of the results of its election questionnaire. Note: . Targeted funding undermines the ABC's independence. It is important that all operational funding be provided

as part of the ABC's base triennial funding to promote the ABC's arms-length operation from government. . The position of staff-elected director on the ABC Board, abolished by the last Coalition Government, is an

important counter to governments that stack the Board and ensures at least one member of the board with public broadcasting experience.

. The last Coalition Government put Australia's international television service, established by the ABC, out to tender. The contract expires next year and powerful commercial media interests are lobbying to take the service away from the ABC.

Greens

support increased base triennial funding (to rebuild the ABC and to enable it to introduce new services, such as an education channel) and indexation that ensures funding is maintained in real terms

propose a per capita funding model to protect ABC funding from political vagaries support the introduction of a transparent, merit-based selection process for ABC Board

appointments, and restoration of the staff-elected position on the ABC Board support the current prohibition on advertising and sponsorship on radio and TV being

extended to online support Australia's publicly-funded international television service remaining with the ABC support the ABC maintaining a strong in-house production capacity

Labor Government

Labor only provided to FABC its record in government. The Labor Government: increased base triennial funding. Extra funding was for new initiatives only (i.e., not to

rebuild the ABC), with the exception of funds for local tv drama - now entirely outsourced

practised a merit-based ABC Board appointment system The legislation the Government introduced to embed the system and restore the staff-elected position to the Board lapses as a result of the election.

has not extended to online services the prohibition on advertising and sponsorship on radio and TV

has not announced whether or not it will put the ABC's international television service out to tender

Liberal-National Coalition

promised only not to cut ABC funding already committed, i.e. until 2012; and no commitment beyond that time that funding would not be targeted to specific areas

supports the introduction of a new transparent and merit-based ABC Board appointments system, but with qualifications

would not restore the staff-elected position on the ABC Board would maintain the current prohibition on advertising and sponsorship on radio and TV,

but not extend the ban to ABC online would again put Australia's public funded international television service out to tender

Friends of the ABC's questionnaire, along with replies and an outline of what FABC is seeking is at www.fabc.org.au

Printed & authorised by Glenys Stradijot, Friends of the ABC (Vic) Inc. A0034181A. 208 Bank Street, South Melbourne, Vic 3205. 16Aug10


IllawarraBehind the Scenes at Four Corners

On Sunday, July 25, about 40 membersfrom the Illawarra branch of theFriends met for lunch at Port KemblaGolf Club. After a particularly deliciousmeal we were addressed by our guest ofhonour, Sue Spencer, who, since 2001has been the executive producer ofFour Corners, which is ABC TV’slongest running current affairsprograms and due to celebrate itsfiftieth anniversary next year. She toldus how she began work as a researcherwith the national broadcaster in 1985and has worked both on Lateline andAustralian Story. She also commentedon the much higher proportion offemale staff now employed by theCorporation than when she first beganworking there. Sue then gave a verydetailed account of how each FourCorners program is organized and howit goes to air.

It is rare for a program to fit into aforty-five minute slot and to be able totell stories within this space of timerequires much time, thought andpreparation. The program draws on thework of six producers, 3 researchers, 3editors and 3 standard camera crews,while each researcher may be workingon 3 different stories at the same time.Most stories take six to eight weeks ofwork before going to air, usuallyrequiring two weeks each of research,filming and editing before going to air.Four Corners is a reporter-led program,but producers who work with thereporters, together with a camera crewand sound recordist, are responsible forthe visual image which accompaniesthe program. Producers themselvesmay develop camera skills and there isincreasing use of video-journalists whoshoot their own stories. This makes iteasier for a reporter to obtain intimateaccess, so the person interviewed doesnot have to confront a large cameracrew. It is also easier on the budget,since sending four people overseas can

us this absorbing and valuable weeklyTV program.

The question and answer session atthe end of Sue’s talk showed howinteresting and engaging the audiencefound it.

Dorothy Jones

HunterWe have just returned from theBlackheath, Blue Mountains, bi annualState Conference held 14 15 Augustwith some great input from ABC head,Mark Scott, and well known ABCpersonality, John Cleary. In additionthere was some robust debate betweenall delegates concerning the futuredirection of the Friends in striving tokeep the ABC up to the mark inaccordance with its charter. It was a bitof an effort with the looming electionskeeping us all well occupied with othermatters elsewhere but well worth it Ifeel. Full marks to ConferenceConvenor, Mal Hewitt, fellow delegatesand observers, the Blue Mountainsbranch under the capable presidency ofTony Tayler and venue organiserWarren Nichols, who ran a smoothoperation. For the future of the ABCwe are all hoping that the currentgovernment is returned to stave offfurther undermining of the service byan unsympathetic Liberal Governmentsalivating at the prospect of furtherfunding cuts and the possibleintroduction of paid advertisements.Our Hunter annual general meeting isdue on 25 September and a localnewsletter detailing furtherinformation will be emailed and postedto all Hunter members shortly.

Peter BrandscheidPresident Hunter Branch

Northern RiversThe Northern Rivers branch of theFriends of the ABC has been promotinga Public Audit of the ABC to determinehow well appreciate the wide range ofservices provided by the nationalbroadcaster.

Preliminary results from the auditbased on a survey of 15 branchmembers indicate that:

• 100% of respondents support the

BranchNews

be prohibitively expensive.

In putting an individual programtogether, the editor first looks at therushes and then writes a script, editingthe footage. A two stage processfollows, with a viewing of the roughcut of the following week’s programwhich is important for determining itsstructure. If necessary, a legal team maybe present at this first viewing. Thereporter, editor and producer are theninvolved in a second viewing of thefine cut which decides the final post-production finishing touches. It wasmost interesting to learn how complexthe whole process of preparing a singleFour Corners Program actually is sincemost of us have absolutely no idea ofjust how much work goes on behindthe scenes. It requires considerable staffdedication. Reporters and cameramenhave to undertake a special hostileenvironment course and one of Sue’sjobs is to see that staff are covered bythe necessary insurance. It may also benecessary to provide special traumacounseling for reporters andcameramen who have attendedparticularly distressing or gruesomesituation. We can be very grateful tothose who go to such trouble to bring

Sue Spencer Exec Producer of 4 Cornersanswers questions from the floor.


proposal to provide more funding forregional programming

• 94% believe that the ABC providesinformative programs on Science,Philosophy and Religion

• 87% believe that the ABC’s flagshipnews and current affairs programs aremaintaining high standards ofjournalism

• 80% believe that the ABC plays asignificant role in promoting the Arts

• 80% believe that the ABC plays animportant informative andentertainment role in thecommunity.

Members of other FABC branches arenow invited to contribute to the PublicAudit by visiting the branch website at:http://home.iprimus.com.au/webforation/friendsabcnr

The next branch meeting and briefAGM will take place at 7 pm onTuesday 14 September at the Lismore

Workers Club. The president will give areport on the recent state conference.

Neville Jennings

Central CoastMembers from our Branch attendedthe Uniting Church CommunityNetworking Forum on Monday 9August. This forum allowed theaudience to hear and questioncandidates from the major parties forthe electorates of Dobell andRobertson. Friends of the ABC are ableto have a table at these forums whichare held 3 or 4 times a year and it is anopportunity for us to “fly the flag” andperhaps attract new members.

Members voted to purchase a copy ofRonin Films “Hope in a Slingshot” sowe could see for ourselves why,although the ABC acquired thedocumentary , it later decided not to

put the program to air.(See June 2010issue of “Update page 6.) Individualmembers are being given theopportunity to view the video withdiscussion following at our OctoberMeeting.

At our June Meeting there was somecriticism of the longevity of some ofthe pre-program video clips used onABC television. In the reply from MrDalton’s office, we are assured that“station identifiers “are not intended tofrustrate or annoy viewers.

We have two functions coming up!ABC Weatherman, Graham Creed, willbe our Saturday afternoon guestspeaker in late September whileJonathan Holmes will join us for aluncheon in November after his returnfrom long service leave. Details of bothfunctions, when finalised, will be onthe Central Coast Web page atwww.fabcnsw.org.au

Enquiries: John Hale tel: 4333 8107.

Margaret Simons Crikey August 5 2010

ABC Managing Director Mark Scotthas been uncharacteristically quiet

lately, but at lunchtime today he willbe getting to his feet to deliver anothersalvo in the battle to retain the FederalGovernment contract for internationalbroadcasting for the ABC.

The Department of Foreign Affairsand Trade is currently considering -- orwould be if there wasn't an election on-- whether the contract for the AustraliaNetwork should be put out to tender.Everyone knows that Sky News isinterested. This is part of the back storyto the launch of ABC24, the new 24hour news television channel, and ofcourse the constant sniping at thepublic broadcaster from News Limitedtitles.

Scott, speaking at the Asialink publicluncheon in Sydney, opens his speechby talking about the power of mediamessages in bringing down the Berlinwall. "Nothing can speak to so many orshape public perception on such a scaleas the media."

And that is why, he argues, nogovernment with an internationalbroadcasting presence has outsourcedit. Scott argues about broadcasting asan instrument of "soft power" and "softdiplomacy".

Its an interesting, and some wouldsay brave, in the Yes Minister sense ofthe word, conjunction of ideas. EastEuropean totalitarianism on the onehand, and government fundedbroadcasting as an instrument ofdiplomacy on the other.

But Scott is arguing that it is exactlythe editorial independence of the ABCthat is the best advert, as it were, forAustralia and its democratic values. Softpower relies on persuading people toone's view, on fostering understandingand admiration for one's nationalvalues, he says.

Perhaps most interesting are hisquotes from yet to be published LowyInstitute research that found in a studyof ten different government fundedinternational broadcasting servicesmost had similar public policyobligations to the ABC, regardless of

the ideological character of thegovernment.

The importance of the media is, hesays, the reason why publicbroadcasting has survived the wave ofprivatisation of public assets over thelast few decades.

Commercial media organizations, heargues, can quite properly align theireditorial agenda to their commercialagenda. He cites Fox News (buteschews the obvious examples closer tohome). But only a public broadcastercan deliver continued credibility, onwhich soft power relies.

Expect return fire from Sky News andNews Limited very soon. I can imaginethe line. That free enterprise is also ademocratic value. And prepare for aquite different use of the East Europeantotalitarianism parable.

The politicians probably aren'tthinking about this until after theelection, but both sides of the AustraliaNetwork battle will want to try andmake sure that the climate favors them,once the larger election battle is foughtand won.

Scott to fire next shot in battle over Australia Network


Errol Simper The Australian August 9, 2010

It’s faintly surprising Tony Abbott hasnot been asked about his attitude to

the ABC and public broadcasting.

This is despite the numerousinterviews he has done during thiselection campaign.

Not that we're frantically urging anysuch debate. Arguments, inquiries,reviews, discussions and opinionsrevolving round the ABC tend to getlabyrinthine, arcane, contradictory andtedious. They're tedious, not because therole of the ABC isn't interesting, butbecause the arguments always seem tohave been had many times before andlittle that's substantive or new ever reallythreatens to emerge.

But as you may have read in CarolineOverington's Diary column the other daythe topic has been tentatively raised, notleast by the indefatigable campaignmanager for the Victorian branch of TheFriends of the ABC organisation, GlenysStradijot. So, perhaps we should brieflytry to sketch a relevant background to apotential Abbott-ABC interface.

It's no secret John Howard had strongreservations about the politicalimpartiality of the ABC. Nor is it a secretthat Abbott is perceived as something ofa Howard protege. Just to complete thebackdrop, we recalled here (July 19) thatHoward's minister for communications,Helen Coonan, pledged "excitingchanges" for the ABC back in March2006. Five days after a synopsis of herremarks (in an interview with the nowdefunct Bulletin magazine) appeared inThe Sydney Morning Herald, and withmany of the proverbial horses decidedlyfrightened, Howard appeared on ABCTV's Lateline and informed Tony Jones:"I do believe very much in the ABC as anAustralian institution. I believe in apublic media to balance the commercialmedia."

In terms of quietening the horses itwas very timely. We heard little morefrom Coonan and it'd seem to follow

that should Abbott share Howard's viewthen the national broadcaster, and thoseprotective of its general health andexistence, may not have a tremendousdeal to worry about.

In truth, you could argue stronglythat Abbott is pretty much an ABCcreation. ABC current affairs programssuch as The 7.30 Report and Latelinehave regularly afforded Abbott aplatform from which to build a profile.As a former journalist, Abbott is plentymedia-wise enough to be awarecommercial free-to-air TV would nothave given him airtime to discuss manyof the topics he has discussed down theyears with the likes of Kerry O'Brien andJones. Commercial TV is drivenruthlessly by ratings, whether it bedrama, news, current affairs or cooking.Canberra politics can be interesting.Equally it tends to throw up obscuremachinations that clearly don't interest,say, Today Tonight (the Seven Network,6.30pm) or A Current Affair (Nine,6.30pm). Should the ABC becommercialised (however unlikely, giventhe likely Senate configuration) in anyway it, too, would start to grade itstransmission time in terms of ratingsand revenue potential. Televisual venuessuitable for discussing items unlikely torate well would rapidly disappear. Thuslogic says that Abbott, prime minister,would leave well alone.

None of the above means, of course,that a potential Coalitionadministration might not considerasking the ABC to rein in some of itsactivities. Commercial media haslobbied British administrations to curtailBBC expansionism, where expansionhas been perceived as trespassing ondomains already well serviced bycommercial outlets. Commercial medialobbyists might well be tempted to tellan Abbott government that tax-fundedbroadcasting should prioritise roundingout the schedules by filling in thecopious cracks left by commercialbroadcasters' obsession with audiencesize. You may recall that when a similar

argument was mounted against the BBClast year the Beeb responded with apledge to use any spare cash to shiftmore of its material upmarket, asopposed to continued expansion.

Whether the ABC is similarly inclinedtowards going upmarket is a moot point.

There's a disturbing tendency forABC1, for example, to all but mimicchannels Ten, Nine and Seven. There arelong, banal promotions and ABC Shoppurchasing opportunities betweenprograms, announcements which areindistinguishable from the pap shoved atus by commercial networks. It's asthough the ABC somehow viewscommercial TV and radio as a desirablerole model. There's a letter in the latestedition of the (Victorian) Friends of theABC newsletter, News And Views, whichmay sum up what the scribe is trying tosay. This is one Rose Allaway, writingabout the Melbourne radio station,ABC774: "I can't stand it [774] for longdue to the trivial nature of much of itscontent and its frequent and annoyingcommercials: for itself, other ABCservices, personalities and programs wehave already been informed about,community notices, the ABC shop andits products, etc. It all adds up to noise.

Richard Stubbs's ads assume thelistening public is stupid, so he repeatshis statements several times, usingslightly different wording. Many of theads are broadcast at increased volumeand with jarring music, for example theRed Symons and football ads. They areabrasive, annoying and inappropriate forABC radio, or what once used to be ABCradio. Why does the ABC bombardlisteners with this commercial style whenit is not a commercial organisation butfully funded by the taxpayer?"

It's a reasonable question. Most ofthose people known to the scribe whohabitually watch or listen to the ABC doso principally because the ABC isn'tcommercial. They see the corporation asa sensible, potentially intelligent refugefrom the incessant sales pitch thatdominates, all but strangulates,commercial broadcasting. They don'twatch or listen to the ABC to applaudthe slickness of its promotions and semi-commercials.

The corporation should accentuate itsdifferences from commercial media andmake a supreme virtue of them. It's those differences that make the ABCworth having.

The ABC should notape its commercialadversaries


Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Friends of theABC (NSW) Inc. will be held this year at Sydney

Mechanics’ School of Arts, Level 1, 280 PittStreet, Sydney (Between Park and Bathurst

Streets) on Saturday, 9 October, 2010,commencing at 1.00 pm.

Our guest speaker will be Quentin Dempster, prominentABC presenter and current host of Stateline.

Following the address, which will be at 1.00 pm, the meetingwill commence with presentation of reports, election of officebearers and general business. We expect the meeting toconclude by 4pm.

The constitution provides that Committee positions includingPresident, other office bearers and Committee membersbecome automatically vacant and "shall be elected at eachannual general meeting". In most cases the incumbentposition holders are likely to stand for re-election, along withany others who nominate. Should you wish to nominate forthe committee or for one of the abovementioned positions,please indicate below as soon as possible.

Afternoon refreshments will be provided and in order toassist catering, we ask that you complete the RSVP formshown below.

We look forward to your attendance on 9 October.

Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc

CHRISTMAS PARTYINVITATION

26TH NOVEMBER 2009 – 6pmDear Friend,

It is my pleasure to extend to you an invitation tojoin us at our annual Christmas Party at the DotStrong Terrace, ABC Centre, 700 Harris Street, Ultimo.

Each year we present our Excellence in Broadcastingaward. At this stage a recipient has yet to be chosen,and I will send out an advice by email nearer the date.

To cover catering, the all-inclusive cost per person willbe $25. Non-members are welcome.

Please complete the coupon below, and return it withyour cheque or payment details to the Treasurer,James Buchanan at the address shown. Any problemsphone James on 9371 5621.

Receipts are not issued, but there will be a list of paidup attendees at the door.

RSVP by Friday 19th November, 2010.

Best wishes,

Mal HewittPresident

Please PRINT your details and send to:

The Treasurer, Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc.

PO Box 1391, North Sydney, NSW 2059

Name ___________________________________________________

Email ____________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________

Suburb _______________________________ Post Code ________

Phone (H) _______________________________________________

(B) _______________________________________________

(M) ______________________________________________

No. of people attending ________ @ $25-00 = $ _____________

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cheque in favour of FABC (NSW) Inc.

Money order Visa card Master card

Card no. _ _ _ _ • _ _ _ _ • _ _ _ _ • _ _ _ _

Expiry Date _ _ / _ _ Amount $ ___________________

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Signature ________________________________________________

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PO BOX 1391, NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059

Or email to James Buchanan [email protected]

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I also wish to nominate for the position of:

______________________________________________ (optional)

Name: _________________________________________________

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Email: _________________________________________________


Membership Form Please fill out the form below and return it with your payment to:The Treasurer, Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc.PO Box 1391, North Sydney NSW 2059.

My details will be passed on to my local FABC branch. (Strike out if you disagree)

I would like to receive my copy of Update Magazine electronically.

Use only if joining or if your membership has expired.

:liamE emaN tsaL emaN tsriF

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edoC/P brubuS sserddA

boM )kroW( )emoH( enohP

(Please Print)

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Partner

State and Regional Branches

National Web Portallinks to all State Branches.

Go to:www.friendsoftheabc.org.au

New South WalesMal Hewitt (President) FABC NSWPO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059Phone: 9637 [email protected]

ArmidaleVal Sherwell167 Markham StreetArmidale NSW 2350Phone: 6772 [email protected]

Blue MountainsTony Tayler15 Spencer StreetLeura NSW 2780Phone: 4784 [email protected]

Central CoastJohn Hale21 Stephenson RdBateau Bay NSW 2261Phone: 4333 [email protected]

CowperJoyce Gardner (Secretary)FABC Cowper7 Royal Tar CrescentNambucca Heads NSW 2448Phone: 6568 [email protected]

Eastern SuburbsNizza Siano (Secretary)16 Holland RdBellevue Hill NSW 2023Phone/Fax: 9327 [email protected]

Great Lakes & Manning ValleyMargaret GardnerPO Box 871 Forster NSW 2428Ph: 6554 9181 (H) 6591 3704 (W)[email protected]

HunterPeter Brandscheidc/o PO Box 265Merewether NSW 2291Phone: 4943 [email protected]

IllawarraJan Kent (Secretary)Friends of the ABC IllawarraPO Box 336, Unanderra 2526Phone/Fax: 4271 [email protected]

Mid North CoastDrusi MeggetPO Box 1752Port Macquarie NSW 2444Phone: 6583 [email protected]

Northern RiversNeville JenningsPO Box 1484 Kingscliff 2487Phone/Fax: 6674 3830 (H)[email protected]

Byron Bay Sub-branch convenorJill Keogh Phone: 6688 4558

ParramattaMal Hewitt31 Queen St Granville 2142Phone: 9637 [email protected]

Victoria – FABCFriends of the ABC (Vic)GPO Box 4065Melbourne VIC 3001Phone: (03) 9682 [email protected]

Queensland – FABCProfessor Alan KnightCreative Industries Faculty QUTGPO Box 2434 Brisbane [email protected]@hotmail.com

ACT – FABCJane TimbrellGPO Box 2625Canberra ACT 2601Phone: 6249 [email protected]

South Australia – FABCSandra KanckPO Box 7158 Hutt StAdelaide SA 5000Phone: 8336 [email protected]

Western Australia – FABCHarry CohenPO Box 534Subiaco WA [email protected]

Tasmania – FABCMelissa SharpePO Box 301North Hobart TAS 7002Phone: 0427 041 [email protected]

FABC RESOURCE CENTREDarce Cassidywww.friendsoftheabc.org


update september 2010

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