PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2007

Independence from Commercial Influence

Keeping the ABC independent of commercial influence has been a major theme for Friends of the ABC over the last year.

The threat of advertising on the ABC has continued to loom in 2007. Commercial activities more generally are also a worry. The creation of a new Commercial Division within the ABC, with a brief “to pursue new sources of revenue made available through developments in digital technology” (Feb 2007), has the potential to skew the public service values of the ABC.

FABC actions

• creation of a new section on our website, A commercial ABC?, a mine of information—documenting statements, letters to the editor, press articles and interviews—on the topic of the ABC and commercial activities, and kept up to date by our vigilant webmaster, Howard Silcock. Have a look!
• lectures and articles—to the Independent Scholars Association of Australia 2006 Annual Conference, and in 2007 to Hughes U3A, and Online Opinion.
• Letters to the editor protesting over
  
  • the closure of the ABC Natural History Unit (“Killing the capacity for production at which the ABC excels?”, Canberra Times, 22 August) and
  • the axing of ABC production of talking books (“For how long will the ABC's editorial policies, which at present clearly set out that ‘editorial judgements are based on news values, not on commercial or sectional interests’, coexist with its dollar-driven commercial ethos?” SMH, 19 May)

Independence from Political Influence

The ABC’s decision to show The Great Global Warming Swindle in July raised fears of political interference. Friends of the ABC have long maintained that a transparent, merit-based Board appointment procedure is essential to public confidence in the ABC’s political independence. Did the Board pressure ABC TV?

FABC actions

• Media release by FABC National Spokesperson, Prof. Alan Knight (FABC supports a ‘hands off’ selection process where Board members are appointed on merit rather than political connections)
• Letter to ABC Managing Director, Mark Scott. The ABC replied that it “is aware that there has been some criticism of its decision to broadcast this program”. The letter then outlined the way the ABC proposed to present the documentary, with an hour-long debate and a public forum immediately after the showing—clearly in response to outcry from the public, including Friends of the ABC.

An Adequately Funded ABC

An election promise by the Coalition before the 2004 election was to inquire into the adequacy of the ABC’s funding. The results of that inquiry were never revealed to the voters but, since our last AGM, they were leaked (in November). Apparently the review recommended $125.8 million over 3 years, just to maintain current operations.

Election 2007

Our election preparations began in earnest in May. We decided to focus on Eden-Monaro, but also to put effort into the ACT Senate campaign.

Eden-Monaro

• Stalls (12 stalls since August, in Cooma, Bungendore, Braidwood, Queanbeyan)
• “No Ads” petition to all Eden-Monaro candidates
• Handouts on independent Board, adequate funding, no ads
• Merchandise (T-shirts, pens, badges, caps—and balloons!)
• Australia Post mailout to 37,000 Eden-Monaro households

ACT Senate

• Australia Post mailout to 8,500 ACT households
• Letter-boxing by volunteers

Meeting the Politicians…

The ACT & Region Branch has maintained the contacts our Parliamentary Lobby Group has established with Federal politicians interested in communications policy. In the last year we have been in contact with members of the Senate Committee on Communications issues—Stephen Conroy, Dana Wortley (ALP), Bob Brown, Rachel Siewert, (Greens), Lyn Allison (Democrats)—before the Senate Estimates hearings last October and in May this year. Issues we have lobbied them on include aspects of the ABC’s 2006 budget, fears about advertising, the end of ABC talking book production, the new ABC editorial guidelines.

In the lead-up to the election we, along with the NSW FABC President, Mal Hewitt, saw the various party spokespersons on Communications to lobby for FABC aims for the ABC and to ascertain their parties’ policies.

The importance of these contacts is well illustrated by the fact that all three non-government parties now formally oppose advertising on the ABC, and all three support some form of independent Board appointment process—as well as the reinstatement of the Staff elected director.

… And the ABC Managing Director

In September Mark Scott met Mark Notaras and me, in response to a letter I had written to him not long after his appointment last year. It was the first meeting he has had with any Friends of the ABC Branches, and we must thank ACT ABC Director, Liz McGrath, for her part in bringing the meeting about. Mr. Scott was very forthcoming but unfortunately, off the record. There will however be an opportunity for members to meet him when he is our guest speaker at our November dinner.

FABC Declaration

Through all our specific activities on behalf of the ABC it is important to remember the broader, crucial, importance of an independent public broadcaster. We are very proud of our Declaration of Aims, which we launched last November, and we are especially gratified by the public support for it from a number of Canberra’s prominent opinion-leaders.

When writing to congratulate to the new ABC Chairman, Maurice Newman, on his appointment, we sent him our Declaration as an indication of how we expect the ABC to measure up.

FABC Nationally

In May the FABC National conference was held in Melbourne. Our branch was represented by John Ley and me. We felt that overall it was a success, with the appointment of Professor Alan Knight from Queensland as National Spokesperson, and with agreement on the main themes of Friends of the ABC’s Federal election strategy.

Local FABC Activities

November 2006: Chris Masters was guest speaker at dinner, Reid CIT
February 2007: Contact Canberra stall
April 2007: ABC Northbourne studios tour for members

Looking Ahead

It is hard to predict the year ahead for the ABC when we are in the grip of election fever. One thing is certain however, and that is the importance to the ABC of Friends like us. I like Ken Inglis’s description of Friends of the ABC as having “begun as, and remained, a movement to press on politicians the obligation to sustain and respect the ABC, but if ever they sensed the board or management were letting its audience down, they would be saying so…”

Looking Back

That description of who Friends of the ABC are and what we do brings me to our leadership team. The enthusiasm, energy and dedication of the committee members is remarkable, and every one of them contributes practical help, ideas, and a good sense of fun. It is because of them that the list of achievements over the past year is such a long one. Special mention must be made of Margaret O’Connor who, after seven years, including 3 as President, 3 as Vice-President and 2 as a national spokesperson, has stepped down from the committee. Farewells must also be bade to Mark Notaras who has gone overseas, we hope not for too long. Mark’s energy as editor of On Air and his fund of good ideas will be missed.

I also extend thanks to all our members who have helped out on stalls, made phone calls, written letters, helped with newsletter mailouts, and generally kept us an alert group. And finally, a big thankyou to everyone who has joined or taken the trouble to renew your membership. Everybody counts in a community group!

Jill Greenwell
President, Friends of the ABC (ACT & Region)