No Merger of ABC International Services without Independence Guaranteed

www.fabc.org.au

“Friends of the ABC strongly supports additional government funding being provided for the ABC to expand its international broadcasting services,” said Glenys Stradijot, a spokesperson for Friends of the ABC (Vic) on ABC plans for its international broadcast services announced today.

“It is in Australia’s interests to have quality programming broadcast to our neighbours in the region and other countries.”

FABC, however, has serious concerns about plans to merge Radio Australia and Australia Network (the ABC’s international TV service).

“Radio Australia and Australia Network should not be merged unless the ABC is fully funded to provide overseas services without advertising or the risk of government interference.

“The national public broadcaster is the media outlet best suited to represent Australia overseas. The ABC’s charter requires it to make programs of integrity that reflect Australian life and culture.

“Radio Australia has a long and esteemed history. As an integral part of the ABC, it is widely perceived to be independent from commercial influence and not a propaganda arm of the government.

“Australia Network, on the other hand, is vulnerable to both political and commercial pressure.

“Australia Network relies on revenue from commercial advertising and funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The ABC is forced to win favour with DFAT to operate Australia Network.”
Since the former government’s failed efforts to hand the ABC’s international television service over to commercial operators, the ABC has to compete with them in a tender process to provide Australia Network.

“Governments have a strong desire to influence the ABC editorially. And DFAT’s capacity to do so is great while it funds a specific ABC service which it forces the ABC to compete for in a tender.

“The ABC must not only be independent, it must be seen to be independent – from government and commercial influence. Any international broadcasting service into which Radio Australia is merged must be as credible and trusted as RA is now.

“Like the rest of the ABC, its international service must be free from advertising and fully resourced through the Department of Communications delivery of base funding to the ABC as a whole,” said Glenys Stradijot.
Glenys Stradijot, Friends of the ABC