It's our ABC, but it's his government: what will Turnbull do?

Date
    October 31, 2015
    The Age

The federal government is under renewed pressure to redress hefty funding cuts to the ABC in a national media campaign launched on Saturday.   :)

Buoyed by a renewed optimism since the ascension of former communications minister Malcolm Turnbull to the prime ministership, ABC Friends has placed advertisements in Fairfax newspapers calling for the national broadcaster's funding to be restored.

"Damage to the ABC during the Abbott government years (and, of course, while Malcolm Turnbull was communications minister) has been extensive," the advertisement reads. "Despite pre-election promises, cuts to the ABC have resulted in some 500 talented employees being lost to us, plus hundreds of millions of dollars taken from operational and programming budgets, yet the ABC must be able to compete in the rapidly changing media world."   :(

Late last year the Abbott government announced a $254 million cut to the ABC's funding over five years, a cut of 4.6 per cent to its budget. At the time, Mr Turnbull, in his role as communications minister, insisted that the cuts could be made to operations rather than programming.

But Ranald Macdonald, a former ABC radio morning presenter and managing director of The Age who is now a member of ABC Friends Victoria, said the impact on programming had been "clear for everyone to see". He particularly lamented the Australia Network, the loss of which, he argued, had made the broadcaster more Sydney-centric and hindered its ability to fulfil its charter obligations to rural and regional Australians. He believed the loss had been "a really serious blow to Australia".

Moreover, he said the national broadcaster needed to be funded in such a way that would allow it to compete in the new media landscape.

"Democratic Australia needs an alternative to the increased impact of the Murdoch empire and we believe, therefore, that the ABC needs a strong independent voice," Mr Macdonald said.

The ABC has an important few months ahead. It must appoint a new managing director, as incumbent Mark Scott has announced that he will step down in the middle of next year. And negotiations are underway for the ABC's new triennial funding agreement, which will be announced in next year's federal budget.

Mr Macdonald said he hoped that Mr Turnbull would "return to his small 'l' liberal ideals" and restore the lost funding, although given that the ABC has shed over 500 jobs and had to cut services to meet its tightened budget, "much of the damage has already been done".   :(

He likened the ABC's situation to cuts that have been inflicted on the BBC by David Cameron's conservative UK government, which Mr Macdonald argued had been done to appease the Murdoch media empire.

Relations between the Abbott government and the ABC were particularly strained, perhaps reaching their nadir when ministers were temporarily banned from appearing on panel show Q&A. The then-prime minister was its most strident critic, accusing it of being biased and even unpatriotic.

"A lot of people feel at the moment that the ABC instinctively takes everyone's side but Australia's," he told Ray Hadley on Sydney radio station 2GB early last year.

Mr Macdonald said that even though he was a "friend" of the ABC, he also readily conceded that there were areas in which the broadcaster could improve.

"Of course there are so many things that can be done better," he said. "But the term 'friends' means that you defend but also means that you give some constructive advice as to how to improve."

But media analyst Steve Allen of Fusion Strategy said the cuts to the ABC's budget that had already been implemented had not had a deleterious effect on programming or ratings; the broadcaster is having "quite an OK year" for ratings and, compared with commercial channels Seven and Nine, was actually having a good year. Given that, he believed that if the government were to go back on the funding cuts already announced, it would be a serious folly.

A spokesperson for Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said: "The government appreciates the significant relationship the ABC has with Australians, particularly in rural and regional areas, and is committed to appropriately resourcing the public broadcasters to efficiently use taxpayer resources."

wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 6:35am:

It's our ABC, but it's his government: what will Turnbull do? A spokesperson for Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said: "The government appreciates the significant relationship the ABC has with Australians, particularly in rural and regional areas, and is committed to appropriately resourcing the public broadcasters to efficiently use taxpayer resources."

So why didn't Mitch Fifleld tell the ABC to keep their regional and rural radio programs instead of cutting them.

Should sell it. It's useless and causes more grief than it's worth, just like an appendix.

The leech is after mult-media funding not specified in the original charter. Don't give the Stalinists any more of our money, Mal.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 7:04am:

Should sell it. It's useless and causes more grief than it's worth, just like an appendix.

You obviously missed the National Party MP's screaming their tits off yesterday about the changes to programming in the bush.

Even cods quotes ABC shows despite her constant criticism

Most thinking people cant stand the 2GB Jones/Hadley nonsense.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 7:04am:

Should sell it. It's useless and causes more grief than it's worth, just like an appendix.

And yet you tell us all to watch it in your own thread. 

New Good lateline interview - required viewing!
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Armchair_Politician

;D ;D ;D ;D

Give him a break Bigfella ... he rarely has any idea what he's on about

John Smith wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 9:02am:

;D ;D ;D ;D Give him a break Bigfella ... he rarely has any idea what he's on about

Might be rare for me, but it's never happened for you.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 9:43am:

John Smith wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 9:02am: ;D ;D ;D ;D Give him a break Bigfella ... he rarely has any idea what he's on about Might be rare for me

A very telling admission.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 9:43am:

John Smith wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 9:02am: ;D ;D ;D ;D Give him a break Bigfella ... he rarely has any idea what he's on about Might be rare for me, but it's never happened for you.

you're right ... you making sense is something I've never witnessed. I live in the hope that one day you'll surprise me.

The article says "under renewed pressure"

This means the LIB's already taken the political hit so no impact on Turnbull

Good luck. Turnbull passionately argued for these cuts. His pitch is that the entire media landscape is changing, and it’s up to the ABC to do more with less, as other media is doing with declining ad revenues.

His case, however, fails to stack up when the very purpose of the ABC is to be above ad revenues. The ABC is not about competing with the private media, but being the best.

Turnbull shows who he’s really working for. A reduced ABC is the policy of Murdoch and other media proprietors. In a shrinking world of ad revenues, they want a level playing field, and this means reducing services and dumbing down the news at the ABC too.

Turnbull has listened to this argument in many meetings. Some of it has clearly rubbed off. It has to.

News Ltd and others get Turnbull elected.

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 10:18am:

The article says "under renewed pressure" This means the LIB's already taken the political hit so no impact on Turnbull

Gumpy, is your real name Peta Gredlin?
Why is it when Abbott won govt. you disappeared, no time to post, and now you suddenly reemerge? ;D ;D I know longie  wears a dress, but I had no idea you do too!

Hello J@ck Sh!t
I will introduce a foreign concept to you - I've been WORKING overseas. Back for a break and back on the boards  ;)

A spokesperson for Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said: "The government appreciates the significant relationship the ABC has with Australians, particularly in rural and regional areas, and is committed to appropriately resourcing the public broadcasters to efficiently use taxpayer resources."


What a load of sh1te. Their abc panders to inner city leftards and the usual deadbeat fringe dwellers who align with these mental pygmies.

ABC  is A Big Cancer on tax payers.

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 10:52am:

Hello J@ck Sh!t I will introduce a foreign concept to you - I've been WORKING overseas. Back for a break and back on the boards  ;)

really? So your real name is Julie Bishop?

Seems they don’t have the internet overseas?

The ABC either needs to be funded properly or just broken up and the bits sold.

It now uncritically follows the Lib line, gets it news and the “line” from bloody Murdoch.

Mal is much more right wing/neocon than abbott. When this is recognised his approval and Lib support will fade pretty quickly. Happened to Mal once before, when he was LOTO.

Much of its CA shows are now tabloid, biased and unprofessional, prett worthless.

Pity about those in rural areas but if they still vote National or Lib they are blithering idiots!

.

.

.

FFS!

Rider wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 10:55am:

A spokesperson for Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said: "The government appreciates the significant relationship the ABC has with Australians, particularly in rural and regional areas, and is committed to appropriately resourcing the public broadcasters to efficiently use taxpayer resources." What a load of sh1te. Their abc panders to inner city leftards and the usual deadbeat fringe dwellers who align with these mental pygmies. ABC  is A Big Cancer on tax payers.

The ABC’s biggest support base is in regional areas. One of the biggest lobbyists for the ABC is the National Party. ABC local radio is often the only source of news in remote areas, covering emergencies, local news, stock prices, etc, etc, etc.

The other friends of the ABC are in the safest urban Liberal seats. Luvvies, by and large, vote Liberal.

Jovial Monk wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 11:06am:

Seems they don’t have the internet overseas? The ABC either needs to be funded properly or just broken up and the bits sold. It now uncritically follows the Lib line, gets it news and the “line” from bloody Murdoch. Mal is much more right wing/neocon than abbott. When this is recognised his approval and Lib support will fade pretty quickly. Happened to Mal once before, when he was LOTO. Much of its CA shows are now tabloid, biased and unprofessional, prett worthless. Pity about those in rural areas but if they still vote National or Lib they are blithering idiots!

It would be very difficult to sell. No one’s buying media now - no one in Australia, anyway.

As Turnbull has argued,, the only potential sale is the popular ABC Kids TV.

Finding a revenue base for modern.media is a real challenge.

John Smith wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 10:56am:

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 10:52am: Hello J@ck Sh!t I will introduce a foreign concept to you - I've been WORKING overseas. Back for a break and back on the boards  ;) really? So your real name is Julie Bishop?

At least we still remember the LIBs Minister for Foreign Affairs

No one remember or cares about the ALP foreign affairs minister

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 12:14pm:

No one remember or cares about the ALP foreign affairs minister

That is your opinion and it doesn't mean you are right.

That’s because Labor doesn’t have one, not being the govt.

You know we have a Libg govt—the economy is going downhill.

Labor voter wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 12:30pm:

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 12:14pm: No one remember or cares about the ALP foreign affairs minister That is your opinion and it doesn't mean you are right.

It does not mean I am wrong either

Buoyed by a renewed optimism since the ascension of former communications minister Malcolm Turnbull to the prime ministership, ABC Friends has placed advertisements in Fairfax newspapers calling for the national broadcaster's funding to be restored.


did they call for
FAIRFAX TO PAY THEIR COMPANY TAXES by any chance???,..,.

hilarious...

the ABC was also asked to be MORE ACCOUNTABLE... shock horror under Labor thats never an issue..

has anyone seen how much the ABC CEO pays himself????? ::) ::)

does anyone know what he does to earn it????

and the ABC is riddled with REPEATS..

anyway the friends are caring and probably doing volunteer work around the joint to save a bob or two..

like cleaning those state of the art   coffee machines.

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 12:38pm:

Labor voter wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 12:30pm: Maqqa wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 12:14pm: No one remember or cares about the ALP foreign affairs minister That is your opinion and it doesn't mean you are right. It does not mean I am wrong either

if your a lib you are wrong.. they dont have to have a reason its brainwashed into them from birth...as they still seem to use the same war cry as they did back in 1900 talk about rusted on... ;D ;D

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 12:14pm:

John Smith wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 10:56am: Maqqa wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 10:52am: Hello J@ck Sh!t I will introduce a foreign concept to you - I've been WORKING overseas. Back for a break and back on the boards  ;) really? So your real name is Julie Bishop? At least we still remember the LIBs Minister for Foreign Affairs No one remember or cares about the ALP foreign affairs minister

Don't lie gumpy, cods mentions therm all at least once a week.

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 12:38pm:

Labor voter wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 12:30pm: Maqqa wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 12:14pm: No one remember or cares about the ALP foreign affairs minister That is your opinion and it doesn't mean you are right. It does not mean I am wrong either

true about opinions in general  however seeing as how this is YOUR opinion, the chances of you being right are slim

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 12:14pm:

John Smith wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 10:56am: Maqqa wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 10:52am: Hello J@ck Sh!t I will introduce a foreign concept to you - I've been WORKING overseas. Back for a break and back on the boards  ;) really? So your real name is Julie Bishop? At least we still remember the LIBs Minister for Foreign Affairs

Is that what she has been doing lately ?

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 10:52am:

Hello J@ck Sh!t I will introduce a foreign concept to you - I've been WORKING overseas. Back for a break and back on the boards  ;)

Those units at Manly with no internet connection are a bugger.

Maqqa wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 12:38pm:

Labor voter wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 12:30pm: Maqqa wrote on Oct 31st, 2015 at 12:14pm: No one remember or cares about the ALP foreign affairs minister That is your opinion and it doesn't mean you are right. It does not mean I am wrong either

Well prove that you are right.

It would have been a good idea to give the ABC more money once, but not now.

Now we know they will just blow it on wall to wall news & current affairs . . .aka leftist propaganda.

ABC is biased to the right.

cods wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 12:44pm:

Buoyed by a renewed optimism since the ascension of former communications minister Malcolm Turnbull to the prime ministership, ABC Friends has placed advertisements in Fairfax newspapers calling for the national broadcaster's funding to be restored. did they call for FAIRFAX TO PAY THEIR COMPANY TAXES by any chance???,..,. hilarious... the ABC was also asked to be MORE ACCOUNTABLE... shock horror under Labor thats never an issue.. has anyone seen how much the ABC CEO pays himself????? ::) ::) does anyone know what he does to earn it???? and the ABC is riddled with REPEATS.. anyway the friends are caring and probably doing volunteer work around the joint to save a bob or two.. like cleaning those state of the art   coffee machines.

It is riddled with repeats because it doesn’t have enough money to buy new shows.

Jovial Monk wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 1:30pm:

ABC is biased to the right.

Your right probably, but not as generally understood.

No, I’m left.  :D

cods wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 12:44pm:

and the ABC is riddled with REPEATS..

Liberal party budget cuts at work. Budget cuts based on a LIE. What do you do with lying politicians? VOTE THEM OUT.

They should stop all funding to the ABC period its a leftist sob story, same reruns on Q&A every time it plays. I have had fun watching the lefties in the Q&A stacked audience grow up before my very eyes.

He Man wrote on Oct 31^st, 2015 at 10:19pm:

They should stop all funding to the ABC period its a leftist sob story, same reruns on Q&A every time it plays. I have had fun watching the lefties in the Q&A stacked audience grow up before my very eyes.

And then the facts tell a very different story.

Last weeks numbers:


Quote:

Audience: ALP 34%, Coalition 42%, Greens 13%, Other 3%, Unspecified 9%

Turnbull Under Pressure Over ABC Cuts

So he should be at the moment he is actively supporting a lie.

ABC is biased to the right!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

You watched it recently?