The Gillard Labor Government’s Federal Budget has delivered a $89.4 million funding increase to the ABC over 3 years (i.e., $29.8 million per annum) to expand news and current affairs services and for ABC digital program delivery.
“Increased funding for the ABC is welcome,” said Glenys Stradijot, a spokesperson for Friends of the ABC (Vic).
“Though Friends of the ABC is also disappointed that the ABC did not receive more funds.
“The public broadcaster’s operational revenue has decreased by $253 million (23.1%) per annum in real terms since 1985-86.
“In the absence of sufficient funding, the ABC is meeting new community expectations for the delivery of digital content at the expense of its equally important traditional services.
“Investigative news has suffered. ABC television has insufficient unique local programming and it broadcasts endless repeats. The depth with which important issues are covered has declined on Radio National, the home of quality, specialist programs.
“FABC is also concerned about the trend of governments to target funding to particular areas of the ABC’s operations. This practice undermines the public broadcaster’s independence from government.
“The concentration of Australia’s commercial media ownership into so few hands has become a danger to our democracy. Governments must do more to ensure the public broadcaster can thrive as a vital source of culture, independent information and ideas,” said Glenys Stradijot.
Friends of the ABC www.fabc.org.au
