33 years ago, there was an ABC campaign that proudly told us that “Our ABC” only cost each Australian eight cents a day to operate. Not bad value back then when you think of the services they provided. It was only radio and TV as online services had not even been thought of then, but even so it was still great value.
The ABC provides a great service to the nation as a government owned entity. This service has increased with the addition of online services that gives us a lot of information at our fingertips. ABC rural services have been of great benefit to farmers and regional listeners and viewers; it has been part of the bush telegraph that many people rely on during the good times and when emergencies threaten communities.
The radio service first started in 1932 with TV being introduced in 1956.
Programs that have become iconic in Australians’ minds in past generations have also stood the test of time and are enjoyed by toddlers. Play School is one such program that every Australian would have seen at some time and the show has followed the same format for decades. The show has endured, and many Australian actors and wannabes have participated in its production.
Some iconic programs are now a thing of the past. Blue Hills first ran on radio in 1949 and continued until 1976 and was a popular series that often-brought social issues into the program. The Argonauts Club that eventually evolved into the Children’s hour was also much loved and ran from 1933 to 1972.
Their news service has been second to none over the years and you can set your clock to the hour from when the Majestic Fanfare starts, to indicate a news bulletin is about to commence. There was a huge backlash recently when the ABC announced it was going to drop its 7.45am, 15-minute radio news bulletin. A lot of people thought it was a cynical exercise to try and embarrass the government over its decision to not increase the corporation’s budget by CPI.
And this brings me to my question of “is it still our ABC?” Firstly, all other media organisations in this country a private companies or companies listed on the ASX. Very few rely on any government funding and those that do receive some funds, receive it on the proviso of delivering a particular service. These companies are responsible to their owners, including shareholders, and the commentary generally side with one side of the political spectrum. For Instance, Sky News and the Australian newspaper are predominantly to the right of that spectrum and they do not shy away from that.
There has been increasing concern that the ABC has shifted too far left in its reporting of the news when it comes to politics and also that instead of reporting news it editorialises by journalists giving opinion. I have always believed that journalists should report the facts and allow the people consuming it to make up their own mind on any political implications. Alas, across all media, it happens all to often these days that a report is spiked with an opinion.
And social media is becoming a trap for journalists who use this media to express their personal views on a government decision or to make a point about a politician. With ABC journalists and producers, the target is often the right of politics and sometimes it can be seen in their reporting of politics.
I used to watch Sky Channel news and then switch over to watch the ABC News at 7pm. I have cancelled my Foxtel subscription so no longer get to see Sky. However, the reason I watched both bulletins was so I could get to see both slants on an issue and make up my own mind of what I thought of it. I shouldn’t have to do that, especially with the ABC.
For a wholly government funded news service I don’t think we are getting balanced reporting at the moment. I would much rather see just the facts and the viewer allowed to form their own opinion. So, at the moment I think my eight cents has been devalued and I am not getting the same value I did 33 years ago. This is a pity for me, as I still appreciate the ABC and all it has done for Australia over the many years it has been operating.
Written by Gary Brown.