I RECKLESSLY announced recently that if the government withdrew money from the ABC and SBS budget I would march naked down View Street to fight for my beloved ABC and SBS.
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I think that might be a self-defeating gesture, because no one else would be marching with me. They would all be hiding behind closed doors.
However, I will march down View Street, albeit with all clothes in place. I hope there will be many hundreds of Bendigonians walking with me.
As this latest pronouncement comes it is yet another shameful broken promise. To quote our PM. "There will be no cuts to education, no cuts to health, no change to pensions, no change to the GST, and no cuts to the ABC or SBS by my government" before he was elected into office.
This government has broken more promises than I have had hot breakfasts. Are you listening, Alan Jones? Your belligerent voice is strangely silent.
I hear from both right and left wing ideologues that the ABC is biased, depending on who one is listening to. Meanwhile, our ABC is the one broadcaster that Australians trust to provide them with credible news and opinions. Our ABC /SBS provide an essential service in remote and regional areas.
With local and international news we rely on the analysis and opinion of ABC journalists and commentators which I believe they do fairly, irrespective of which government is in power. They are equally critical of both sides of parliament and do so in a fair, considered and rigorous process.
Alongside the news content, the ABC/SBS produces excellent drama, education and entertainment programs. Already they have had to cut services to our neighbouring countries in Asia, a very heart-rending decision by the ABC Board. It was essentially a cost-cutting exercise.
The ABC Board has to meet certain charter obligations and clearly this has become increasingly difficult when $300 million over five years is to be stripped from the budget. This after $43 million already taken this year. Think of all the wonderful staff and programs that will be lost to Australian radio listeners and watchers of TV as staff is pared down to a minimum.
Amongst many obligations, the ABC charter states that the Corporation must "provide within Australia innovative and comprehensive broadcasting services of a high standard consisting of national, commercial and community sectors and without limiting the generality of the foregoing". The charter states the need to reflect the national identity and cultural diversity of the Australian community.
How can it continue to provide the quality of broadcasting our community expects and demands while cuts of this massive nature are applied to our respected, beloved ABC/SBS?
To the barricades, my friends!
