from Friends of the ABC, NSW …..

A number of significant issues have arisen for the ABC since mid-October. Some members have voiced their concerns via the FABCList, the FABCDigest, and our website. These issues will also be covered in the December Update, but with the number and consequence of the issues, I have decided to write to those members whom we can reach by email.

Privatise the ABC: A large Opinion piece by Rudi Michelson in The Australian on Mon 16th October called for the privatisation of the ABC, and I responded with an e-mailed letter to the Editor that day which was not published. I will submit it to Helen, our Update Editor, to see whether it can be included in the December Update.

New Editorial Policies: Also on 16th October, Mark Scott, the new ABC Managing Director announced that there were new Editorial Policies to be implemented at the ABC effective from 1st March 2007. This 61 page pre-publication document is now available on the ABC's website at <http://abc.net.au/corp/pubs/documents/Ed_Pols_2007.pdf> The announcement immediately raised huge concerns re political interference in the content of the ABC, as some Board members who prior to their appointment were vigorous critics of the ABC, were active in its development. For example, Janet Albrechtsen was reported as saying that she had worked on the new policies for 18 months, since taking up her 5 year appointment on 24 February 2005. The manner of its release is also a concern, in that Mark Scott chose to publicly unveil the changes at Gerard Henderson's Sydney Institute. Gerard had earlier commented on Fran Kelly's Breakfast program that John Howard had failed to rein in the ABC culture.

FABC has analysed the new rules in detail in an 8 page document, and Darce Cassidy at our National Resource Centre has done an excellent paragraph by paragraph comparison of the new editorial polices with the previous polices which were developed in 2002, followed by minor revisions in 2004 and 2005. Darce concluded that: "From my reading the new policies themselves do not represent a significant change. However a threat to the ABC's editorial integrity could result not so much from the words in the new document, as from the attitudes of the key staff who interpret those words, including the Managing Director and the new position of Director of Editorial... It remains a sensible guide to program issues... There was some fear that a rigid balance was to apply to comedy and satire - that Howard jokes would have to be balanced by Beasley jokes. The document makes it clear that this is not the case.

The major negative in the new rules is the dropping of a couple of paragraphs which strongly support investigative journalism, and the ABC's leadership role in this area.

...our focus should be on the implementation and interpretation of the rules, and the role of the new editorial director, rather than a focus on the words on the page."

Thus FABC members will need to monitor the situation carefully, particularly if there are significant change to programs like Media Watch, which have been criticised by Mark Scott. An advertisement for the position of Executive Producer of Media Watch was placed on 27 October 2007. A major issue which concerns me is that the new Director of Editorial, at up to $280,000 pa, together with his/her entourage and requirements for detailed monitoring and reporting, will suck a huge amount of money out of an ABC already starved for funds. There will also be a huge training program. As part of these changes, Training has been moved from Human Resources to Corporate. These new requirements will be like adding sump oil to an engine - they will increase the internal friction significantly.

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells: First, there is no direct evidence that her complaints that her complaints to Mark Scott led to ending The Glass House. Deeply coincidental, but no causal relationship has been established. I have investigated this matter carefully, but as Board decisions are now hidden, it is very difficult to get to the truth of the matter.

Second, the Senator complained to Mark Scott about Peter Hand's interview on 4 August 2006 with Gary Hardgrave, Minister for Vocational Education and Training, and a second interview with South Coast Labor Council Secretary, Mr Arthur Rorris, on 29 August 2006, both in Wollongong. These complaints are detailed in her Media Release of 2nd November. Mark Scott responded by standing down Peter Hand for 6 weeks. He is now at work but not broadcasting, for an indefinite period. Some FABC members have been most concerned that his treatment demonstrated political interference in the independence of the ABC.

These have been examined by a couple of our gurus at the FABC national level, and their conclusions are:

"The questioning of Hardgrave was vigorous, but justifiable. Gary Hardgrave is an experienced minister, and is also a former ABC journalist - he can look after himself. However the item about the demonstration outside the Senator's office [in the second interview] was a no-no both under the old rules and the new rules. Not only does it seem that no effort was made to get the Senator's side of the issue, but there is a long standing ABC principle that you should avoid allowing callers to use the ABC as a vehicle for publicising partisan events like demonstrations and rallies."

Having read the interview transcripts, I support this position, which also means I agree with the Senator on this point. This may well be the only point on which we do agree, as she is a significant critic of the ABC. She is also an unelected Senator because she filled a vacancy - like Senator Santo Santoro who is another strong critic of the ABC - and her term expires in June 2011. Further, it is also the right, and obligation, of Mark Scott to manage his staff appropriately.

Call for action: Some members have called for the FABC NSW mobilise individuals for a national day show of strength but, as ever, the situation is a little more complex than being able to galvanise an action like this. We need a very strong focus on an issue like advertising on the ABC, or a Shier-type organisational destroyer or even a full-on attack by a government before the effort and resources in such an endeavour can be warranted and achieve a significant effect.

What does concern me is that combined with the current round of pay negotiations, the deserved pay increases will have to be paid for by a reduction in programs. Perhaps we will have "3 Corners" or "The 7.45 Report" in future, and the year inevitably gets shorter and shorter. The cry to do more with less is no longer possible within the ABC. There has previously been gossip about closing down a complete network, like Radio National. News Radio is saved because it broadcasts Federal Parliament. However, until we get to a major crunchpoint like that, it comes down to continually reminding our politicians about the need for improved funding. I would ask you to work with your branch to start to consider "Meet the Candidates" meetings to raise the profile of the ABC in the Federal Election next year. We need to encourage our politicians from every persuasion to think more independently in the party room, and fight for us there. 

I would strongly encourage members to do three things: 

Firstly, ABC staff are VERY appreciative of our support over the last 30 years. When you like what the ABC is doing, tell them through their program feedback page. The collected statistics of messages of support within the ABC make a big difference. Be friendly!

Secondly, I encourage you to overcome your rage and grief at the loss of such a cherished program as The Glasshouse, as we all have had to, and now work to strengthen your local branch.

Thirdly, start linking up with other local community organisations, like environmental groups, refugee support groups, welfare groups - anyone who works with people who are concerned with Federal Government policies, and can assist with organising "Meet the Candidates" meetings before the next Federal election - possibly in October 2007. Make a list of the issues you want addressed in your area that need political answers.

I'm sorry that this is such a long email. They will be shorter in future for your sake and mine - but there have been so many issues in this last month. Please discuss these in your branches, members of the NSW Committee and myself, as we have a big task ahead of us in the coming year.

Regards
Bill Johnstone
President, FABC, NSW
15 Horton Street, Marrickville NSW 2204.
Ph. 02 9590 3584 (H+FAX) or 0419 491149 (Mob).
Please consider joining Friends of the ABC at: <http://www.fabcnsw.org.au/>