Aussie artists are up in arms …

Dear Anne,

New ABC boss Michelle Guthrie just axed almost all of Radio National’s music programmes.

Aussie artists are up in arms — many of them rely on Radio National for the fundamentals of their career — sufficient exposure so they can tour and survive. Regional Australia’s music lovers also depend on Radio National for free, interesting, new local music.

But news broke last night that the decision isn’t final. If we come together now with artists and create a huge outcry from Radio National listeners, we can give ABC management the space to back pedal on the decision.

Sign the petition now and GetUp will work with musicians to deliver our call to the ABC head office in Ultimo, loud and clear!

For people in the country — Radio National is a lifeline. Where there is no reliable and fast internet, podcasting and digital radio is not a viable alternative. Often Radio National is the only reliable service. The ABC is supposed to serve everyone — taking music off the biggest network is a huge blow.

For Australian arts, losing music on Radio National is a massive cultural loss. Artists are among the loudest critics of the proposed cuts.

The Head of Music at ABC Radio told Mark Colvin on PM yesterday that management are keeping an eye on the outcry from the community and admitted that “perhaps we haven’t got the mix right”.

We know they’re listening now — sign now to support Aussie music: http://www.getup.org.au/cuts-to-rn

Together we can work for the ABC that we all love.

Thanks for all that you do,
Emily, for the GetUp Team
Anne