When was the last time you heard any of the big debates in-depth on Local ABC?

Phil Lohrey
A LOT of us can’t fathom the level of Tasmanian apathy in the face of imminent developments entailing widespread harm. Think of a revived pulpmill with rejigged ‘planning’ and shredded process.
At the risk of seeming to raise a red herring, I pose a pointed question containing a highly probable answer.

Most people are happy to be informed by the commercial media; therefore: how can TV and newspapers take on big, controversial issues when the public broadcaster provides scant coverage, if any?

When was the last time you heard any of the big debates here examined in-depth by the local ABC?

Sure, the ABC has a mandate to entertain too, but what if it has actually stifled debate?

Answer: It has. Think of talkback just 18 months ago. Then, you could raise any topic in a dedicated hour of talkback. Now, the presenter dictates the topics at any time of his choosing, and soon diverts from anything controversial.

Doesn’t action start with debate? It does, online. But in this age of raging internet debate, ‘our’ ABC has reneged. I seriously doubt whether the pulpmill proposal could have got this far if traditional open-line talkback had continued. A vital link has been missing in a sharply curtailed democracy.

Think of what might happen if lots of us demanded a return to open-line access. What would happen if a return of debate raised all of those big issues skirted? Reporters would have to follow up. (Ask Lindsay). Other media would find it harder to ignore the widespread harm that we despair of here. The general public might even start talking.

Now, think of a lot of people demanding a return of genuine debate on ABC radio. I’m certain that the broadcaster would be forced to react much faster than any LibLab politician.

Then, and only then, there might be a chance to stop a pulpmill juggernaut with resonance across every corner of this island.

Your controversial topic will almost certainly be rejected if you ring Local Talkback: 1300 222 936.

Your email will be ignored or paraphrased: Local Talkback: [email protected]

Things have got so bad that I recommend a wake up call.

(Lots of them)!

If rejected, ignored or cut short by ‘your’ ABC, ring your local switchboard and demand to have your complaint recorded for management:

6323 1011 or
6235 3217

Debate beyond these portals has to start somewhere: why not try to raise a controversial issue in talkback? Report back here on your experience. Forward copies of emails here.

If you make your feelings felt civilly in this forum, we will pass them on to the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Here are some comments from an earlier forum: We go down the plughole … ABC avoides the splash!

There has never been a more dire necessity for accessible and informed public broad-casting. We can start by casting a broader net ourselves.