2018 ABC Annual Public Meeting

165 Pages·2017·1.1 MB·English

by  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Your Questions Answered
Introduction from the Chairman Justin
Milne
I want to thank everyone who took the time to send us questions as part of our first Annual
Public Meeting (APM). We are pleased to publish our responses to all of your questions
and provide relevant information about the issues that matter to you.
The Annual Public Meeting provided us with a clear way to engage with you, our audience
and owners. We would like to continue the conversation, and will create the opportunity
for you to submit more questions later this year.
We’re sorry that we didn’t have more time for you to ask questions live during the APM.
Some audience members have expressed their disappointment that they were not given
the opportunity to stand up and ask their question directly at the APM. If you do feel this
way, please keep a look out for our ABC Open House events later this year where you will
have a chance to ask questions in a town hall style meeting at your local ABC office in capi-
tal cities and major regional locations.
Thank you again for your commitment and passion for the ABC. We look forward to con-
tinuing the conversation with you throughout the year.
And if you are not already part of our Your Space feedback group please register1 so we
can hear from you. 

Yours sincerely,

Justin Milne
ABC Chairman
1 https://www.abcyourspace.net.au/Portal/default.aspx
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Contents
ABC Policy 1
Radio 17
Digital 56
News/ Journalism 62
Political/ Social Topics 80
Programming 98
Quality 130
Local and Regional Access/ Content 140
Other Topics 153
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ABC Policy
Michael from Victoria asked:
ABC Comedy seems like a good initiative but it seems to be lacking
proper funding, resources and publicity to succeed. Would funds be
better spent instead on focusing on boosting original comedy on the
main ABC channel?
ABC:
Increasingly audiences are finding a lot of content online, and we made a strategic
decision to broaden the remit of the digital channel on TV and offer more oppor-
tunities for Australians on ABC COMEDY. It is much more than just a new look for
ABC2. It’s a whole new content offering across multiple platforms and audience
touchpoints, including TV, digital, online and audio. We feel it is an investment and
commitment to original Australian comedy and entertainment, ABC COMEDY cre-
ates more opportunities to bring the best comedy and entertainment to our audi-
ences.
John from the Australian Capital Territory asked:
The ABC’s biggest weakness is its reliance on government funding.
Progressive governments see the advantage of an unfettered media,
and are happy to fund one. But with today’s resurgence of more
restrictive government, what are your expectations into the future?
ABC:
On the contrary, our position as a publicly funded broadcaster is our greatest
strength. It means we can operate independently, without fear or favour and adhere
to a robust set of editorial policies that ensure Australians can and should expect
the highest broadcast standards from us. And as the commercial media model
becomes increasingly challenged, our position as a public broadcaster means
we can deliver the strong and distinct voice Australians need to support their
democracy.
Our expectations for the future are that the ABC will remain fully funded so it can
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ABC Policy
continue to provide these wide range of services. A well-funded ABC is a strong
ABC.
Colleen from Victoria asked:
How can we ensure political interference in the operations of the ABC
is kept at bay?
ABC:
The ABC Charter enshrines the independence of the ABC. The Government of the
day can share its views with the ABC, but has no legislative framework to interfere
in the running of the ABC.
Rebekah from Queensland asked:
I’d like to know about the history involved with developing the kind of
employment policies that are enabling of ABC employees, to be making
viable reporting about sexual abuse in other media contexts. Have
women always felt safe in ABC employment contexts, and if not, what
changed, and how?
ABC:
The ABC has developed and implemented strong policies and practices to deal
with such matters and we take any allegation of harassment very seriously and do
not condone or tolerate any inappropriate behaviour. All ABC employees are made
aware of and must abide by our discrimination, bullying and harassment policy at
all times.
Recently we have expanded these policies with the introduction of a peer scheme
to allow our employees more opportunity to raise issues within a safe framework.
We are constantly reviewing and updating these policies and processes to ensure
they provide the correct level of support.
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ABC Policy
Natalie from New South Wales asked:
Will the ABC be investing in more locally produced television drama?
ABC:
Yes. In 2018 the ABC plans to increase its local production spend by 18 per cent with
the majority of that going to Australian Independent Production Companies. Drama
will play a significant role in this investment in content.
Nic from Victoria asked:
Why doesn’t the ABC fully resource broadcasting into the Pacific
islands through Radio Australia? Why has the ABC closed shortwave
broadcasts to outlying islands that don’t have internet access, reduced
the length of the flagship “Pacific Beat” program, closed the NZ bureau,
failed to appoint a full time Pacific correspondent, shut down French
language broadcasting and failed to erect new FM transmitters
promised in 2016?
ABC:
The ABC ceased its shortwave transmission service in the Northern Territory
and to international audiences on 31 January 2017. The move was in line with the
national broadcaster’s commitment to dispense with outdated technology and
to expand its digital content offerings including DAB+ digital radio, online and
mobile services, together with FM services for international audiences. Savings
resulting from decommissioning the service have been reinvested in a more robust
FM transmitter network and an expanded content offering for the region that will
include English and in-language audio content. The ABC remains confident the
reinvestment from closing international shortwave services will maximise the
ABC’s broadcast capabilities in the region.
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ABC Policy
Carol from Adelaide asked:
After the recent allegations regarding Craig MacLachlan to show that
he is starring in was removed from ABC iview pending investigations.
Many people consider it a commendable move. My question is, Was
the decision in line with an existing policy or given the changing
climate where more women are coming forward, is it a policy that is in
development and available to the public? thank you
ABC:
Following allegations against The Doctor Blake Mysteries principal cast member
Craig McLachlan and a related police investigation, the ABC has made the decision
to withdraw from iview series five of the program and the telemovie length final
episode, both broadcast in 2017.
A repeat broadcast of The Doctor Blake telemovie scheduled for 25 January was
also withdrawn. These editorial decisions are made on a case by case basis
considering all of the information available at the time.
Elaine from Queensland asked:
(1) What security can we have that our excellent ABC programs will
be funded into the future without any ‘cuts’ and (2) will be also be
extended to provide an even better service.
ABC:
As the Managing Director Michelle Guthrie said in her address at the APM, the ABC
is deeply committed to the programs Australians have always loved and expected
from the ABC, programs that are of high quality, distinctive and Australian. The
Investing In Audiences strategy is based on this commitment and guarantees the
ABC is focussed on decisions that ensure the best outcomes for its audiences.
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ABC Policy
Neville from Victoria asked:
To protect the independence of the ABC, is there a need for the ABC to
be funded differently to existing budget allocations?
ABC:
No. The ABC Charter enshrines the independence of the ABC. The Government
of the day can share its views with the ABC, but has no legislative framework to
interfere in the running of the ABC.
Liz from Victoria asked:
In relation to specialist content, it is clear that ABC management
determines that specific social issue topics are to be embedded across
all or most scheduled radio programs in any week and are aimed at
changing public opinion. For example, topics selected usually relate
to indigenous issues, the republic, public expenditure on selected
social welfare measures, changes to prevailing legislation aimed at
changing existing core social pillars. These are given extremely high
broadcasting time on radio programming including news broadcasts
and are both repetitive and tiresome as they proselytise. Many listeners
no longer bother tuning in as they do not want to be subjected to
endless haranguing. This is the cause of plummeting ratings across the
full programming range.
Where in the ABC Charter does management have the authority to
exploit public funding for self-serving purposes?
ABC:
ABC Management does not direct programs to cover certain topics, and there is
no agenda to proselytise in order to change social pillars. Our programs have a
responsibility to explore issues of interest and importance to their audiences.
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ABC Policy
The ABC is governed by the ABC Act, which includes a Charter setting out our
functions. These include:

Providing “innovative and comprehensive” broadcasting;

Contributing to a “sense of national identity”;

Informing and entertaining, while also reflecting cultural diversity; and

Broadcasting “programs of an educational nature”.
The ABC Act also enshrines the importance of the “independence and integrity”
of the ABC and the need to ensure its presentation of news and information is
accurate and impartial.
The ABC takes these responsibilities very seriously, which is why the ABC Board has
approved a set of Editorial Policies that set out the principles and standards we
have in place to ensure our independence and integrity. We train our staff regularly
in these policies, we review our performance regularly, and we invite all Australians
to contact us if they think we have failed to meet those standards.
Peter from Victoria asked:
Why would Michelle Guthrie accept a position that reflects the
Coalitions paranoia of the independence of the ABC and follow their
instructions to cut, slash and burn the all levels of the ABC from
Management through to Television and Radio services/programming
including Management.?
ABC:
The ABC’s current strategy is focussed on identifying better use of budget from
an audience point of view and reducing duplication and inefficiencies in support
services. All savings are re-directed into content areas to ensure audiences can
continue to benefit from the distinct ABC content they expect.
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
ABC Policy
Sharyn from New South Wales asked:
Will the ABC’s current investment in news journalism be diminished in
any way - according to financial or other performance indicator?
ABC:
No. The ABC’s commitment to in-depth and investigative journalism has never been
stronger. In addition to the work of TV and radio programs such as Four Corners,
7.30, AM, PM and Background Briefing, as well as online, ABC NEWS is also currently
forming ABC Investigations, Australia’s largest dedicated daily investigative team,
which will include 10 top investigative reporters working across programs and
platforms, uncovering exclusive stories and breaking new ground on big issues.
It has also launched the Specialist Reporting Team, a team of reporters and
producers which will bring in-depth, expert reporting to core rounds including:
Technology & Science; Regional Communities; Consumer Affairs; Education; Health;
Arts, Culture & Entertainment; Social Affairs; and Indigenous. Late last year ABC
NEWS also launched three new programs: Matter of Fact. National Wrap and a
10.30pm news bulletin.
Rhonda from Western Australia asked:
Will the ABC improve funding to Radio National? It is one of the few
remaining places where news, policy, reflections and in-depth items
are published. The quality of Radio National is vitally important to
informing Australia on a wider range of perspectives than news event
reporting can provide. Depth of knowledge rather than repetition of the
opinions of commentators is vital to expand as other media withdraws
from wider discussions. Could Radio National have increased funding
and an expansion of range of information analysed?
ABC:
We agree that the quality of RN is vitally important in informing Australians on a
wide range of perspectives. There have been no cuts to the RN budget. We have
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED