and it’s not just the morning hour, there is an afternoon stopwork as well
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EDIT: according to TV Tonight, CPSU members spanning Content making divisions will go ahead with their stoppage.
EDIT 2 23/3
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Australia’s ABC and Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation sign historic new agreement.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) today exchanged a new Memorandum of Understanding at SIBC headquarters in Honiara.
The agreement between the two public broadcasters solidifies their commitment to collaboration and support, with an emphasis on content sharing and media development programs.
It recognises the crucial role of public broadcasters as cultural institutions that connect and inform audiences while promoting democracy. It highlights the importance of mutual learning and growth, demonstrating the dedication of both organisations to working together to serve audiences better.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: “The ABC is delighted to continue its partnership with the SIBC. The agreement strengthens media collaboration and exchange between the ABC and the SIBC through training, sharing media expertise and providing technical and program support. We will learn from each other as we seek to serve our audiences better.”
SIBC Chief Executive Officer Johnson Honimae said: “The SIBC Board, management, and staff but more importantly our listeners, viewers and followers of SIBC radio, SIBC TV and SIBC online are so grateful to the ABC for agreeing to continue the partnership between the two broadcasting organisations by signing the MoU.
“With the digitisation of broadcasting, such a partnership as outlined in the MoU is the only way to go for a small broadcaster such as SIBC. We need the help of one of the longest broadcasters in the Pacific region. There is much to share including in the areas of capacity building, technology, and content especially as SIBC, after 70 years of broadcasting is finally expanding into television.
“SIBC looks forward to working together with our colleagues at ABC to continue to inform, educate, entertain and engage our peoples.“
Background
The Memorandum of Understanding builds upon an existing strong relationship between the ABC and SIBC.
The SIBC was established in 1976 by the Broadcasting Ordinance. It serves the country’s many scattered islands and communities, broadcasting on the radio, television, and online platforms. For most people in the Solomon Islands, the SIBC is the primary source of information, education, and entertainment, as well as engagement through online platforms. It is the source of information during times of natural disasters and during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The SIBC intends to launch a national television service, the first of its kind in the 70 years of broadcasting in the Solomon Islands, in time for the 17th Pacific Games in November 2023, to be held in the capital Honiara.
A senior ABC delegation is currently visiting the Solomon Islands to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and local media. During this visit, the delegation exchanged MOUs with SIBC and toured the national broadcaster.
ABC Australia (the ABC’s international TV channel) is available through Satsol TV and the TTV platform. ABC Radio Australia is broadcast in the Honiara region on 107 FM. ABC news digital content is syndicated to the Solomon Times and Island Sun. The ABC’s flagship digital offering under the ABC Pacific brand includes the ABC Pacific Facebook page, which has strong engagement from Solomon Island followers. The ABC is enhancing its coverage of Solomon Island affairs on ABC Australia, ABC Radio Australia, ABC Pacific digital and on the ABC’s domestic services with the appointment of Honiara-based local journalist Chrisnrita Leong.
ABC International Development (ABCID) has supported media development in the Solomon Islands for over 15 years. ABCID works with local media outlets to create an inclusive and accessible reporting environment while providing expert guidance on building digital capabilities. ABCID has promoted best practices in areas such as court and sports reporting and facilitated training opportunities for journalists through radio and mobile journalism workshops.
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Applications open for ABC and Screenwest’s Art Works Documentary Initiative
The initiative is aimed at emerging to mid-career Producer and Director teams interested in producing short documentary segments profiling the work of Western Australian artists or arts companies, for broadcast on ABC and iview. Applications close Monday, 24 April at 5:00pm AWST.
Screenwest and ABC Arts are pleased to announce that applications are open for the ABC Art Works Documentary Initiative, a $10,000 production opportunity designed to offer a broadcast credit to Western Australian filmmakers.
Up to four emerging to mid-career Producer and Director teams will be selected to each produce and deliver a short 3-8 minute documentary segment profiling the work of a resident Western Australian artist or arts company, for broadcast on ABC and ABC iview as part of ABC’s Art Works series later in 2023.
Hosted by Namila Benson, Art Works is the ABC’s weekly half-hour arts show sharing the most inspiring, surprising, and formative ways that Australian creatives are telling our stories today. Previous WA filmmakers behind Art Works documentaries include Our Law producer Sam Field; Samantha Marlowe & Frances Elliott who went on to direct Girl Like You; and Josh Lee, director of The Fathering Project and A Friend in Death.
“ABC Factual and Culture is committed to investing in emerging creatives and I am delighted to continue our successful collaboration with Screenwest. These short films will bring the rich culture of the state to a wider audience and help deepen Australians appreciation of artists from the West.” said Richard Huddleston, ABC Acting Head Factual & Culture.
“We’re pleased to join forces with the ABC to bring this opportunity to Western Australian emerging documentary practitioners. The initiative is a fantastic opportunity for filmmaking teams to upskill and have their work broadcast to a national audience, while also highlighting the diverse arts community here in WA.” said Paul Williams, Screenwest Documentary Executive.
How to Apply
The application deadline is Monday, 24 April 2023 at 5:00pm AWST.
Applications will be accepted through the Screenwest SmartyGrants portal.
The full guidelines, application materials and eligibility criteria are available on the Special Initiatives page of the Screenwest website.
High-profile journalist Laura Tingle has been voted in as the staff-elected director of the public broadcaster’s board.
Tingle beat ABC business journalist Daniel Ziffer by 30 final votes out of the 2073 ballots cast by staff. The 7.30 chief political correspondent will be appointed to the board on May 1.
The ballot for the staff-elected board position included Ziffer, Compass host Indira Naidoo, The Drum co-host Dan Bourchier, Middle East correspondent Tom Joyner and head of Indigenous, Diversity & Inclusion Kelly Williams.
Ziffer beat Tingle on first preference votes, attracting 615 votes to Tingle’s 568, but the 7:30 mainstay and former political editor of The Australian Financial Review won the position by 30 final preference votes.
Vote for us! ABC and ADM+S pitch proposals for SXSW Sydney line-up
The ABC and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S) at QUT have teamed up to pitch two session proposals to be included in the upcoming South By Southwest Sydney Conference taking place October 15-22.
SXSW brings together inspired thinkers, creators and innovators in tech and innovation, games, music and screen from around the world to experience the latest in forward-thinking ideas within their industry and unlock the unexpected discoveries made possible when a diverse range of topics converge on stage.
To help determine the conference line-up each year, SXSW calls for submissions of session proposals on which the SXSW community then gets to vote.
This year SXSW Sydney received more than 1400 proposals from around Australia and the world.
Voting is open until 11.59pm on Tuesday 11 April. Voters receive five votes but only one vote per proposal is permitted. Successful sessions will be included in SXSW Sydney.
The ABC and ADM+S have proposed the following two panel sessions for inclusion:
What AI-generated news could mean for human-produced journalism (Media Industry track) Speakers: Silvia Montaña-Niño (ADM+S at QUT), Stuart Watt (ABC), Michael Collett (ABC), Gareth Seneque (ABC)
ChatGPT has shown AI-generated news content is no far-flung fantasy. Algorithms have long determined which stories get recommended to people based on their interests, but now AI can create content itself. It can also interact with users and answer their questions in a “human-like” manner.
However, the way ChatGPT works, from its data collection processes to its opaque machine training models, raises crucial questions for news organisations willing to use this technology to produce and distribute news.
A panel of journalists, scholars and technologists will discuss the trends and challenges of AI-generated news and what it means for the future of journalism.
Read more and vote for this panel here
Islands in the Streaming: Local Content Discovery in a Global Market (Streaming Industry track) Speakers: Ramon Lobato (ADM+S at RMIT), Kylie Pappalardo (ADM+S at QUT), Nick Hayden (ABC), Alexandra Hay (ABC)
In the age of video streaming, content discovery is now a crucial strategic space for screen industries. The battle to capture attention is fierce, with streaming platforms, device makers and technology all playing a critical role in shaping the content we watch. But what about local and public benefit storytelling — how can it cut through in a world dominated by tech-driven giants?
Read more and vote for this panel here
Stuart Watt, ABC Head of Output & Distribution, said the rapidly unfolding developments in AI presented both opportunities and challenges for journalism.
“While the labour-saving possibilities are exciting, the prospect of misinformation and the further erosion of trust in our profession is daunting,” he said.
“We need to grapple with these challenges and find ways to use this emerging technology so it enhances our journalism rather than diminishes it.”
Dr Silvia Montaña-Niño, from the ADM+S at QUT, said SXSW was a perfect public space to discuss the challenges news organisations have when using AI.
“Journalists and scholars right now have many questions about how the recent developments in generative AI will impact how they work and what are the new responsibilities with the use of these technologies,” she said.
get its staff out of the inner city and better reflect Australia.
Such a tone-deaf, Sydney-centric opinion to think that Western Sydney “better reflects Australia”. You just know they’d never consider the same kind of move anywhere else in Australia.
So many better things they could be spending the money on.
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Spending $27m on refitting the building that they’re partially leaving has real Utopia vibes about the project
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I reckon the ABC is spending $27 million in refitting the building so that some departments will move floors to join existing ones, in order to have 2-3 floors available for lease.
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totally. Such a huge waste of money for no material benefit. Then they will say that they’ve had to cut services/jobs to save a few dollars.
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Complete waste of money.
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ABC programs bring home a swag of awards from the 2023 New York Festivals Awards
ABC content has proven itself to be world class with our screen programs taking home a number of wins including five gold awards at the 2023 New York Festival Awards.
Factual programs and our in house creative agency ABC Made were the big winners with Catalyst specials taking home 3 awards and our ABC 90 Years campaign awarded two gold awards.
The two-part Catalyst special Keep on Dancing was awarded a gold in the Health/Medical Information category. The Heart-warming special formed part of our ABC Your Move programming and followed a group of over 65’s as they attempted to slow the effects of aging through dance.
Catalyst ’s Miracle Babies: Operation Hope was awarded gold in the Health/ Medical Information category. The program took an intimate look at the awe-inspiring world of fetal surgery in a story of hope and trailblazing medicine as parents face agonising decisions about their baby’s future.
Creative National Science Week Catalyst special Australia’s Favourite Tree was awarded a silver award in the Environment & Ecology category. The program profiled Australia’s unique tree species and saw 270,000 votes cast to determine which tree was Australia’s favourite.
The latest iteration of the incredibly successful social experiment, Old People’s Home for Teenagers also took home a gold award in the Social Issues category adding to the programs impressive run at home and on the world stage.
This season saw the uplifting series swap pre-schoolers for teenagers to see if they could transform the lives of older people and teenagers amid an epidemic of loneliness.
Of the awards, Richard Huddleston, ABC Acting Head of Factual and Culture said “I am delighted to see our content being recognised at such a prestigious global event. These awards are a testament to the quality of Australian storytelling and an acknowledgement of the creativity and passion that our teams pour into their work.”
The ABC’s brand campaign for our ABC 90 celebration was awarded two gold awards in the Station/Image Promotion and Station/Network ID categories.
Produced in-house by the ABC’s creative agency ABC Made, the campaign was filmed in four locations across Australia with ninety people in each location performing the iconic Bruce Woodley AO and Dobe Newton song, I am Australian.
ABC Director Audiences Leisa Bacon described the campaign as “A true celebration of our commitment to connecting Australians for the last 90 Years.”
The New York Festivals Radio Awards saw podcasts Pink Diamond Heist, Let Us In! and Beauty Queens Who Want to Save the World all recognised as finalists.
New York Festivals Awards form part of the prestigious New York Festivals which honour screen and audio content from around the world.
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The Australian reports 94.4% of ABC staff voted in favour of the new pay deal.
ABC and Screen Australia on the hunt for more Fresh Blood
The ABC and Screen Australia team are once again teaming up to uncover the next generation of great Australian comedy talent through the hugely successful Fresh Blood initiative.
Submissions are now open for new and emerging comedy acts to apply. Creators from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities who meet the selection criteria are encouraged to apply.
As part of the joint initiative to unearth a new generation of comedic talent, 10 teams will receive $50,000 to produce 3 x 5min comedy shorts and will participate in a workshop to be held in Sydney, in August 2023. These shorts will premiere simultaneously on ABC and creators’ social media platforms.
From there, up to 3 teams will be selected to create a longer pilot between 20-27 minutes in length, with potential to be commissioned by the ABC as a series.
We’re looking for applicants with original comedy ideas. They can be narrative, sketch, vertical, as long as the ideas are fresh, the comedy is strong and has the potential to be developed into a full series. Ultimately, want to be surprised.
Since Fresh Blood began in 2013 the initiative has launched the careers of countless acts including the rock stars of comedy, Aunty Donna, and the animated series Koala Man, featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman and Sarah Snook.
Screen Australia’s Head of Online Lee Naimo said, “We are so thrilled to be joining the ABC once again in supporting a new wave of comedic talent through the Fresh Blood initiative. We’ve seen first-hand the launchpad that this initiative provides, through the ongoing success of alumni like Skit Box, Nina Oyama and Angus Thompson and the team from Why Are You Like This. I can’t wait to see the doors it opens for the new crop of talent that comes through this time around.”
Nick Hayden, ABC Head of Entertainment said, “Fresh Blood continues the tradition of the ABC supporting new comedic voices. Sometimes those voices tell us, ‘she doesn’t even go here’ other times ‘ok, boomer’. Whatever they say this time, we’re excited to see what this new crop can dream up!”
Todd Abbott, ABC Head of Comedy said, “One of the ABC’s most important roles is to find and nurture new comedy talent, and Fresh Blood provides a great opportunity to open the gates and amp up that search.”
For further information about the Fresh Blood initiative or to apply please visit the Fresh Blood website or read the guidelines.
Applications close 4pm, Monday 29 May 2023.
ABC Farewells Head of Drama, Entertainment and Indigenous Sally Riley
After 13 years with the ABC, Sally Riley, the ABC’s Head of Drama, Entertainment and Indigenous, has announced she is leaving the public broadcaster.
Since joining the ABC in 2010 as the inaugural Head of the Indigenous Department at ABC Television, Sally has played a key role in developing and bringing to audiences programs that are entertaining, thought provoking and reflective of Australia’s national identity.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson thanked Sally for her many contributions not only to the ABC but to the Australian screen industry.
“Sally has not just been responsible for developing and producing an impressive body of screen productions but has also fostered and supported key talent at all stages of the creative process,” he said.
“Sally’s passion and creative drive have delivered to our screens many of the stories and programs Australians love and expect of their public broadcaster. I’m sure everyone at the ABC will join me in congratulating her for her achievements and in looking forward to the projects Sally will deliver next.”
Sally Riley said: “As much as I have enjoyed my time at the ABC, it’s time for me to focus on new creative opportunities.
“I am incredibly grateful to the ABC. During my time here I have been supported to commission ground-breaking shows and take risks that I’m not sure would happen anywhere else. I have had the honour to work with the best creatives and executives in Australia and the world.
“I’m also proud of the work that the Bonner Committee has done in increasing the profile of First Nations people and content, both inside and outside the organisation. I’m confident this work will continue from strength to strength with a new generation of incredible people.”
Among her achievements, Sally was Executive Producer on both the award-winning film Mabo and the acclaimed series Redfern Now, the first television drama commissioned, written, acted and produced by Indigenous Australians and won the 2013 Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Drama Series.
In 2016 Sally was appointed as Head of Scripted Production where her commissions included Stateless, Fires, Preppers, Cleverman, Mystery Road, Total Control, Aftertaste, Black Comedy, Janet King, Wakefield and The Newsreader.
The same year she was named as one of Foreign Policy’s 100 Leading Global Thinkers for her support of First Nations people in the entertainment industry. In 2020 she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the governing body of the Oscars, in recognition of her drive to champion diverse storytelling in Australia.
A Wiradjuri woman, Sally’s advocacy for Indigenous self-representation and work in developing initiatives to bring about increased participation by Indigenous artists has earned her respect across the Australian media industry. This includes her leadership as Chair of the ABC’s Bonner Committee.
Sally was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal in 2008 for her role in the development of initiatives that have increased the participation of Indigenous Australians in the film and television industry.
In 2022 she was recognised by Screen Producers Australia as the inaugural recipient of the Commissioner of the Year Award.
Sally will leave the ABC in July. Acting arrangements will be announced in coming weeks.
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2023 Federal Budget response – ABC Welcomes Five-Year Funding
The ABC welcomes the funding certainty delivered in the 2023 Federal Budget, the first of the new five-year funding cycle. In a rapidly changing media environment, the budget provides financial stability and allows the ABC to continue delivering on its charter, serving Australian audiences across the country and in our region.
It is particularly important that the Government has decided to incorporate the Enhanced Newsgathering (ENG) program into the ABC’s ongoing operational funding base. The ENG program, which supports around 70 journalists and content makers, delivers more tailored news to local communities and has allowed the ABC to invest further in specialist resources that provide vital context and analysis. The program has been operating since 2012-13 as a terminating measure and has been renewed three times.
Ongoing funding for audio description (AD) services has also been rolled into the ABC’s base funding. The ABC’s commitment to audio description services has been vital for blind or visually impaired audiences. In the last financial year, the ABC broadcast 1260 hours of unique audio-description content including many premiere events or first-possible releases, across broadcast multi-channels. The funding allocation means AD services will be extended to ABC iview.
The ABC also welcomes the additional investment into the distribution of Australian content throughout the region as part of the Indo Pacific Broadcasting Strategy.
This funding will enable the ABC to increase the return on investment in Pacific focused content which it is already creating under the 2022 funding envelope of the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy. A significant component of the funding announced in this budget will be directed towards further expansion of the FM footprint of ABC Radio Australia.
Our research shows that FM radio transmission is the most cost-effective medium with the highest potential to reach audiences in the region. The ABC is already achieving substantial success with new content under increased Government funding including the flagship pan-Pacific news program for TV and video on demand The Pacific.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: “The five-year budget allocation reflects the ABC’s important role in Australian life and the value it delivers to the community.
“The funding provides a solid foundation as the ABC continues to evolve its services to meet the needs of Australian audiences. The next five years will be crucial to the ABC as we navigate significant changes in media consumption, industry-wide cost pressures and increasing requirements to modernise and adapt to new technology.
“The funding certainty provided by the Budget is vital, as it enables the ABC to plan with confidence. Notwithstanding the five-year funding outcome, the ABC will need to meet the challenge of upward cost pressure, and position itself to continue to be trusted, relevant and valued by all Australians into the future.
“I will soon announce a new Five-Year Plan setting out the ABC’s priorities. The plan will ensure that we embrace the opportunities of the future, and that the ABC remains the most important cultural institution for all Australians.”
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UPDATE 11/5