 The federal government’s suggestion to introduce advertising on the ABC is a bandaid funding solution that compromises the integrity and independence of our national broadcaster. A recent review, commissioned by the federal government, into the adequacy and efficient use of ABC funding has found that the national broadcaster is efficient in the distribution of current funding but is in serious need of more.
While the government has made no indication that the final report from KPMG will be released publicly, Communications Minister Senator Helen Coonan has confirmed these findings on ABC’s 7.30 Report.
Senator Coonan has also told the Bulletin magazine that advertising on the ABC is something that the board might like to consider in the future.
Alliance federal secretary Christopher Warren says this is an inadequate suggestion that will not only compromise the independence of the ABC, but also neglect the severity of the national broadcaster’s funding situation.
“The ABC’s budget has declined by about 25 per cent in real terms over the past 20 years. Out of 17 countries surveyed by the OECD, Australia spends the second least of any country on its public broadcaster,” said Warren.
According to figures published in the Bulletin the Howard Government slashed $55 million from the ABC in 1997 and it has not had a funding increase since.
“For two-thirds of the budget of the average Australian commercial TV station, the ABC provides two TV stations, four national and 60 local radio stations, two digital radio stations, ABC Online and Radio Australia,” said Warren.
In addition, the Bulletin article says that “based on 2003-04 figures, ABC TV’s annual budget of $400m is less than a third of the Nine Network’s $1.3bn, 40% of Seven’s $1bn and 58% of Ten’s $686m.”
“The ABC is a vital part of the media mix in Australia and a valuable training ground for journalists, performers and crew,” said Warren.
The development of first run Australian drama has hit crisis point, falling from 103 hours to 13 hours annually in only four years. Drama is expensive to produce and without adequate funding this figure will only fall further.
“The ABC needs serious funding if it is to continue its role as an innovator and stalwart of relevant, high quality media content. It deserves to be funded properly and the federal government running a $14 billion surplus can afford more than a surface deep, cheap option like advertising. Once they put advertising on the ABC they will profoundly change the nature of the organisation that Australians know and love,” Warren said. |
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