With regard to governance the media have two key roles:
The Australian broadcast media are divided into three distinct sectors - commercial, community and public. Initially each had a different form of funding, and a different system of governance. While each sector had its own distinct character, this guaranteed a degree of diversity.
Commercial broadcasters might be subject to the influence of a powerful proprietor, or a powerful sponsor, but they were less likely to be influenced by government.
While public broadcasters might be subject to pressure from politicians, they were not initially subject to influences from advertisers. Similarly, community broadcasters were originally free of advertising and government funding.
Today diversity and morphed into convergence. Advertisers now exert considerable influence over commercial radio, the SBS and community broadcasters. There is potential for advertising to impact on the ABC’s internet output. While the ABC is not permitted to broadcast advertisements on radio or television, it can run advertisements on its websites. So far the ABC has chosen not to broadcast advertisements on its mainstream “ABC branded” websites, but it has run advertisements on subsidiary websites such as the Countdown site, which does not carry the ABC logo.
Friends of the ABC (SA) Inc submits that the failure to prohibit advertising on the internet when the ABC Act was first drafted was simply because the public internet did not exist at that time, and recommends that the ABC Act be amended to prohibit advertising on ABC websites, whether they carry the ABC logo or not.
However we congratulate the Rudd government on its promise to reform the process by which appointments are made to the ABC board (and a range of similar bodies). We understand that this will be based on the “Nolan Rules” developed in the United Kingdom and will involve the development and publication of selection criteria and public advertisement of vacancies. A short list will be developed by an independent panel, and a final appointment made by the minister. However if the minister declines to make a selection from the short list, he will be obliged to provide a public explanation. This is consistent with the Westminster system. While this process will not necessarily guarantee good appointments, it will lead to more open government.
The restoration of the ABC’s Staff Elected Director is also likely to bring relevant experience, and additional diversity, to the ABC board.
The ABC has had a strong reputation for educational programs, programs for children and for Australian television drama. The ABC’s capacity to continue this tradition has been severely hampered by a lack of funding. This will be the subject of a separate submission under another topic.