True. But if you were to allocate more funds to the ABC to cover regional TV news, surely you could implement separate transmission streams. It’d be a core area they’d have to take care of.
That’s a lot of local news. I don’t think I could name that many regions in NSW or Victoria which would require an ABC local news.
Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast should probably stay as one market (SEQ). Maybe the Sunshine Coast too, but that area tends to be more isolated from Brisbane. Brisbane’s suburban sprawl basically stretches all the way to the Gold Coast but doesn’t reach the Sunny Coast just yet. Plus, the GC is well served by Nine, NBN and Prime.
Granted, Queensland is more decentralised than NSW or Victoria, but still, there would be quite a backlash from the tabloids if it was seen that Queensland was getting preferential treatment. [quote=“TelevisionAU, post:20, topic:529”]
Fantastic idea and well within ABC’s charter… but where’s the money coming from? Just the cost of splitting up the statewide satellite feed into regional feeds would be more than prohibitive?
[/quote]It’s the Federal Government. The ABC as it stands costs basically nothing in comparison to the overall spend of Government. An extra few hundred million as a one-off for the establishment of facilities and broadcasting equipment in regional areas and the restoration of those cuts handed out in 2014 would make it viable.
On that latter point, this isn’t a crazy idea. If the restored funds are earmarked to only go to regional local news, it would be the exact same situation that the ABC found itself in when they got funding for ABC3.
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Continuing on from discussion of regional news - there is an article in The Australian on this
Budget: ABC bid for fresh funding for regional news services
It says that ABC is planning to ask for more money to provide expanded news in regional areas at its upcoming triennial budget review. It seems pretty speculative overall but includes:
Mr Scott is expected to argue that the prospect of consolidation among commercial TV networks poses an immediate threat to the future of regional news services because merger partners will seek to reap significant savings and synergies to create more efficient, competitive businesses in a disrupted media landscape.
There will be a new opportunity for the ABC to provide additional local news and information services across TV, radio and online if companies like regional broadcaster WIN Corporation and metropolitan network Nine Entertainment Company are allowed to merge, Mr Scott is likely to tell MPs in Canberra.
Comment from the government included:
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said the Turnbull government’s media reforms should promote “cultural change” at the ABC by forcing the national broadcaster to provide local television news broadcasts to regional communities.
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Truss finally has a point - the ABC should expand its regional output.
But in the first instance, the responsibility should fall to commercial broadcasters. Have it written into any transaction, e.g. should Nine buy WIN, its minimal level should be set to WIN’s current levels, and can only go up. If it does down, and cannot be adequately explained or justified, then Nine’s licenses, ALL of them, should be put in jeopardy. As I’ve said earlier - there is money to be made in the spectrum - take it away from them as punishment. Have that hanging over them.
Any move by the ABC to encroach into regional commercial media’s territory will be bemoaned by commercial operators - that’s a given. But they’ve brought it on themselves through their actions - centralisation, unjustified rationalisation. They can make themselves relevant to regional areas quite easily - but choose not to. Before they go bitching about the ABC, they should get their own houses into order. If they didn’t let the accountants run the joint, Mr Truss wouldn’t be calling on the ABC to expand into regional TV news.
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Appointments to the ABC Advisory Council
The ABC Board has appointed five new members of the ABC Advisory Council.
The new members are Sam Almaliki, Nina Trad Azam, Wade Dabinett, Fiona Duggan and Robert Macaulay. Their four-year terms started on 1 February 2016.
The Council represents community views on programming to the ABC and acts as an important link between the broadcaster and its audiences.
The new members are Sam Almaliki, Nina Trad Azam, Wade Dabinett, Fiona Duggan and Robert Macaulay. Their four-year terms started on February 1, 2016.
The Chairman of the ABC Board, James Spigelman, welcomed the appointments and said they would add to the diversity of experience on the Council and the quality of the advice and feedback it provided to the Corporation.
The role of the ABC Advisory Council, established under the ABC Act 1983, is to provide advice to the Board on matters relating to programming.
Mr Spigelman praised the contributions of the retiring Council members Melissa Cadzow, Gideon Cordover, Charmaine Foley, Robert Ryan and Ben Spence (who resigned from the Council in April 2015).
Nina Trad Azam (Wollongong, NSW) – Mrs Trad Azam is a mental health social worker and was until recently Secretary for Illawarra People 4 Peace. Nina is also Managing Director of the Russell Vale Family Medical & Acupuncture Practice.
Fiona Duggan (Youngtown, TAS) Ms Duggan is a veterinary surgeon and is currently the Secretary of the Stewart Child Care Services Board of Management. Fiona is involved in a number of community groups in Tasmania and the Launceston region, especially child and youth organisations.
Sam Almaliki (South Melbourne, VIC) Mr Almaliki is currently the Head of Community Engagement and Diversity Council Secretary at Cricket Australia. He is also a Non-Executive Director, serving as a commissioner on the Victorian Multcultural Commission and member of the SBS Community Advisory committee. Sam is also a member of the Australia India Business Council as well as the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
Robert Macaulay (Westbrook via Singleton, NSW) Mr Macaulay is a solicitor and primary producer and is involved in various professional and community groups in both the Hunter Valley and Sydney.
Wade Dabinett (Parilla, SA) Mr Dabinett is a farmer and a member of the transport and infrastructure committee of Richmond Valley Council and Ambassador for White Ribbon Australia and involved in his children’s school networks.
The ABC Board appoints new members of the 12-person Council each year. Applications to join the Council are invited through promotions on ABC Radio, Television and Online and advertisements in the press in September and October each year.
Upper Hunter represent! 
He runs Benalla Beef out that way.
###Carole Sklan and Deirdre Brennan to depart ABC TV
ABC TV announces the departure of two members of the executive team – Carole Sklan, Head of Fiction, and Deirdre Brennan, Head of Children’s.
After nearly six years at the helm of ABC Fiction, Carole Sklan is taking a break from the frantic world of script development and production.
Sklan said: “It’s been a fantastic journey at the ABC. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with extraordinary, creative Australian storytellers and showcase the work of brilliant writers, producers, directors, actors and performers, designers, editors and directors of photography. We were able to ramp up production and support everything from iconic literary adaptations to indelible stories of remarkable Australians; from fresh, bold comedies to intriguing murder mysteries; contemporary relationship drama, and enthralling thrillers.
“It’s time for a change of pace for me, but I’ve so valued the opportunity to work for our national public broadcaster with a team of such talented, passionate and dedicated colleagues.”
Richard Finlayson, Director of Television said: “We are incredibly sad to see Carole leave. She has helped create an outstanding body of work since 2009, and under her leadership the ABC Fiction team has supported the production of over 400 hours of Australian drama and comedy, and won countless awards.”
Deirdre Brennan leaves her role as Head of Children’s to pursue new opportunities within the international market.
Brennan said: “It has been an incredible privilege to be a part of the ABC TV team since 2013. I would like to thank Richard Finlayson and Mark Scott for trusting me with the leadership of ABC KIDS and ABC3 over that time.”
Finlayson said: “Although we will be sad to see her leave, Deirdre has built an incredibly strong ABC team in this important genre, preparing us for the competitive environment ahead with an impactful content slate that will roll out in years to come.”
Carole Sklan will depart the ABC at the end of February, and Deputy Head of Fiction Alastair McKinnon will act in the role until a replacement is appointed.
Deirdre Brennan will depart the ABC in March. Luka Skandle, Channel Manager Children’s, will take on additional responsibilities until a replacement is found.
#FijiAppeal raises almost $1.5 million for humanitarian effort
The ABC has helped raise $1,430,829 in partnership with the Australian Red Cross to assist and rebuild communities in Fiji devastated by Tropical Cyclone Winston last month. On Friday, March 4 the ABC dedicated its broadcasting to the appeal and encouraged its audiences to help with the recovery effort.
The Red Cross has advised the final appeal tally of $1,430,829 includes a $200,000 pledge from Gandel Philanthropy made to encourage others to donate. While the appeal will no longer be tallied, donations can continue to be made to the Australian Red Cross or 18 other agencies at www.abc.net.au/appeals.
The funds raised will directly assist Red Cross and other agencies on the ground in Fiji where TC Winston, one of the worst cyclones on recorded in the region, has displaced 350,000 people and left 43 dead. While initial aid has focussed on food, water, medical supplies and shelter the damage has been estimated at almost half a billion US dollars.
ABC Managing Director Mark Scott said the fundraising effort was a clear sign of Australian audience’s willingness to help overseas communities in their time of need.
“Just as we saw with similar fundraising efforts for Vanuatu, Pakistan, Nepal and Syria, Australians are always willing to step up and contribute to humanitarian efforts. The ABC has played a vital role here and I want to thank not just our audiences for contributing but our staff for getting the message out there.
“In particular I would like to personally thank John Gandel and Pauline Gandel from Gandel Philanthropy for their very generous donation.”
Donations can be still be made through the website, abc.net.au/appeals. The site also has information on how to donate to any of the more than a dozen agencies working in Fiji.
##abc puts our health in focus
The ABC will put Australia’s health under the spotlight with a week of dedicated programming
For more than 80 years, the ABC has been telling uniquely Australian stories and producing content that helps us understand our society, our future and each other.
OUR FOCUS is a new initiative that sees the full breadth of the ABC storytelling come together to start a national conversation on important issues and events that connect us all.
In a week of special programming, OUR FOCUS, Health will put Australia’s health under the spotlight with a week of dedicated programming across TV, Radio, News and Digital. We will surface questions such as: How healthy is our health system? What are the recurring national problems, like obesity, melanoma, substance abuse and mental health?
With advances in medicine, costs of treatment, and our ever-aging population, how will we as a nation face the demand ahead? What challenges do we face with a system that needs to cater for everything from the most remote Indigenous community to the busiest city hospital?
The ABC will play a valuable role in exploring this complex topic and will lead the national conversation on this important subject. Join the discussion as the ABC puts OUR health IN FOCUS.
For more information visit our dedicated site at abc.net.au/health or join the conversation with the hashtag #ABChealth
###FRIDAY 18 MARCH
ABC TV | 5.30pm | The Drum
NEWS 24 | 6.30pm (AEDT)
The Drum will explore how Australians are taking control of their health using new technologies and alternative therapies. The doctor’s office is no longer the first and last stop for patients. They’re increasingly collecting, sharing and analysing their own data and seeking out personalised treatment plans. A more nimble healthcare system that better caters to patients’ needs is developing. And Australian experts are leading the way. Panelists include: Director of the Brain and Mind Centre at Sydney University; Prof. Ian Hickie AM; and author of New York Times bestseller Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind over Body, Jo Marchant (London). Sarah Dingle will be guest host.
###SATURDAY 19 MARCH
ABC News 24 | 11.30am (AEDT) | Australia Wide
Australia Wide explores the city/bush divide when it comes to accessing healthcare. ABC Medical reporter Sophie Scott visits a busy GP practice in the Upper Hunter in NSW to find out how doctors are dealing with the challenges of providing good medical care in regional and rural Australia. We meet an indigenous female doctor from Scone and look at how her chronically ill patients access regular treatment.
###SUNDAY 20 MARCH
ABC TV | 10.30am (local) | Australia Wide
(Repeat) Australia Wide explores the city/bush divide when it comes to accessing healthcare. ABC Medical reporter Sophie Scott visits a busy GP practice in the upper Hunter in NSW to find out how doctors are dealing with the challenges of providing good medical care in regional and rural Australia. We meet an indigenous female doctor from Scone and look at how her chronically ill patients access regular treatment.
ABC RN | 5.00pm | All in the Mind
What are the limits of mind body medicine? Lynne Malcolm takes a rigorous look at the science behind the idea that the mind can heal the body.
AUSTRALIA PLUS | www.australiaplus.com
In collaboration with ABC’s Regional division, Australia Plus looks at migrant doctors & medical professionals in rural and urban Australia.
###MONDAY 21 MARCH
ABC RN | 9.00am | Life Matters
From March 21 – 25, Life Matters speaks to the unsung health workers at the frontline of keeping Australia alive.
ABC RN | 5.30pm | Health Report
RN’s Health Report looks at how to plan for a good death through an advance care directive.
AUSTRALIA PLUS | www.australiaplus.com
Australia Plus takes a linguistically diverse look at the how, where and what of staying healthy.
OPEN DRUM | abc.net.au/news/thedrum/
What’s in a postcode? You have told us about the challenges you face accessing healthcare in your region – dealing with issues from mobile black spots to lack of intersex-appropriate care. The best of these audience pieces collected in a special interactive news feature for health week.
###TUESDAY 22 MARCH
ABC TV | 8.00pm | Catalyst Special: Back Pain
ABC’s flagship science program takes a look at the all too common medical complaint, back pain.
ABC TV | 8.30pm | Keeping Australia Alive – Episode 2
Keeping Australia Alive is a documentary event capturing the Australian health system in one snapshot - telling the story of who we are, what we value and how we live and die. It’s a series is about us, and the Australian health system. It is a snapshot of what happens over a single day in our unique health service, stretched from one end of the continent to the other. This landmark series will confront and surprise with real stories of what makes up Australia’s massive system of care and service, which we often take for granted. What do we discover when we dissect the health system as a whole – slicing through its layers, its wonder, its horror, its enormity, all on one selected, ordinary day?
ABC TV | 10.00pm | Creatives: Michelle’s Story
Michelle’s Story follows the dramatic events in the life of talented Australian dancer, Michelle Ryan, who danced for Meryl Tankard’s Australian Dance Theatre, famed for its ground-breaking choreography. Michelle relates the heart-wrenching story of her shock MS diagnosis, its tragic fallout and the slow path to rehabilitation as she works with disabled dancers as Artistic Director of Adelaide’s Restless Dance Theatre. Intimate access to Michelle is captured by the acclaimed choreographer Meryl Tankard, making her directorial debut on the ABC.
AUSTRALIA PLUS | www.australiaplus.com
Australia Plus spends a day in the life of an international medical student in Australia on rounds.
###WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH
ABC RN | 11.00am | Earshot: A Real Emergency
Our relationship with emergency medicine is an odd one. We watch it dramatised on the TV, and while we don’t want to end up in the ED, we like to know it’s there, just in case. James Vyver finds out what it’s really like to work in an emergency department. Listen now.
AUSTRALIA PLUS | www.australiaplus.com
Australia Plus takes a look at the linguistically diverse community’s perspective and needs in regard to Community Health in Australia.
###FRIDAY 25 MARCH
AUSTRALIA PLUS | www.australiaplus.com
Australia Plus investigates Australia’s contribution to health in sport in the Asia Pacific region.
###ANY TIME ON ABC iview
ABC iview will join the conversation by providing a comprehensive collection of stories from the ABC TV archives, including Changing Minds, The Agony of the Body, Kids on Speed, The Ugly Face of Disability Hate Crime, Jono: Love Me Love My Face, I’m Having Their Baby, Dying For Clear Skin and How Fat Works: Inside The Body Beautiful.
Plus there’s a selection of popular health bases stories - covering everything from the best ways to burn fat, to dealing with mid-life crisis – from programs including ABC News, The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, Australian Story, Q&A, Catalyst, Four Corners, Tonic.
###abc.net.au/health
As well as being a comprehensive overview of the week’s content across all ABC platforms, the site will present two online exclusives:
Staying alive: what those working at the coal face want you to know
Based on ABS causes of death data, we’ll be speaking to seven health experts from different parts of the country on the one thing they wish Australians knew that could help keep them, and their loved ones, alive.
Where we die
Around half of all Australians die in hospital, and a significant number of these deaths will happen in intensive care – the place that even intensive care doctors consider to be the worst place to die. This feature will look at where Australians die, what are the factors that determine whether people do and don’t get to die in the circumstances they want and the steps we can all take to get the death we’d prefer.
###ABC Open
ABC Open producers from Longreach, Canberra, Ballarat, Alice Springs, Kalgoorlie and Wodonga will follow up on some of the stories presented in the documentary series Keeping Australia Alive. Visit open.abc.net.au
###ABC Local Radio
ABC Local Radio will provide additional editorial coverage supporting the OUR FOCUS on Health initiative, with topical health stories and discussion around programming and special guests as well as regular contributors including Dr Norman Swan.
ABC TV appoints Michael O’Neill as Commissioning Editor, Factual
ABC TV has announced the appointment of award-winning documentary film-maker and factual development executive Michael O’Neill to the role of Commissioning Editor, Factual.
Michael brings to the ABC a wealth of experience in local and international specialist factual production.
Most recently, Michael was Vice President of Unscripted Development at Essential Media, based in Los Angeles, during which time over 60 hours of television was commissioned for the group in the US and Canada, across a variety of factual genres.
He was also Co-Executive Producer for National Geographic channel’s The Human Experiment, Executive Producer of historic restoration series Restored and has worked on projects for Discovery Canada, Discovery Networks International, Animal Planet, National Geographic, Disney, HGTV, DIY, Arte & Smithsonian Channel.
In Australia, Michael was Head of Unscripted Development at Essential Media Australia where he worked on such titles as Dingo: Wild Dog at War (ABC1), Getting Frank Gehry (ABC1), Maddie Parry: Inside the Clinic (ABC2), Australia: The Story of Us (Channel 7) and What’s The Catch? (SBS1).
Michael’s awards include a Digital Emmy Award for Scorched (2009) and a Golden Panda Award for The Grammar of Happiness (2013).
Steve Bibb, ABC TV Head of Factual said: “I’m delighted to welcome Michael to the Factual team. His passion for storytelling and his ability to spot a really good idea will help cement ABC TV’s position as Australia’s leading factual and documentary destination. He joins a dynamic and ambitious team.”
Michael commences with ABC TV on April 4.
##abc TV puts programming focus on digital and quality
ABC TV has announced changes to its leadership structure that recognise dramatic audience behaviour shifts and huge demand for high quality, original content production.
All programming (ABC iview, children’s digital and all broadcast TV channels) will move under the responsibility of a single role, the Head of Audience & Digital. Rebecca Heap, formerly Head of Strategy and Digital Products, will take on the new position.
Creative responsibilities will be managed between the** Head of Non-Scripted Production** and the** Head of Scripted Production**. Brendan Dahill, formerly Head of Programming, will be responsible for the Non-Scripted team, which will include the Heads of Arts (Mandy Chang), Factual (Steve Bibb), Entertainment (Jon Casimir) and Events (Justin Holdforth).
The Head of Scripted Production, will be responsible for ABC drama and will lead the Heads of Indigenous (Sally Riley), Comedy (Rick Kalowski) and Children’s (TBA). The Scripted Production role is currently under recruitment and in the meantime responsibilities will be picked up by the Director of Television, Richard Finlayson.
The Head of Children’s and Education role (currently under recruitment) will focus on original content production, and continue to work closely with Children’s programmers in the Audience & Digital team. The role will also continue to have responsibility for representing ABC Children’s to the global market and local stakeholders.
The reorganisation sees an expanded role for Alastair McKinnon, who will take the role of Deputy Head of Production, which will support all Scripted and Non-Scripted production, particularly in building finance plans and liaising with State and Federal funding agencies.
A new role in the executive team, Head of Partnerships and Policy, will take on the responsibility for partner and stakeholder relationships, policy and strategy – jobs that were previously under the remit of Rebecca Heap. Recruitment for the role has recently commenced.
Director of Television, Richard Finlayson, said the reorganisation would ensure a platform-agnostic approach to reaching audiences and put emphasis on creating centres of excellence within key production areas.
“ABC iview is the number one online TV service in the country. Our audiences are consuming content differently and we need to be programming for the future, now.” said Finlayson.
"There is a huge growing demand for high quality, original Australian content. We have an outstanding team. The focus on Scripted and Non-Scripted production recognises the need across these distinct disciplines for concentrated creative firepower, regardless of platform, genre or demographic.”
According to Radioinfo, the ABC yesterday announced a proposed leadership restructure of radio operations, designed to increase its ability to meet audience expectations and respond to challenges in the industry. Two new heads (Music and Spoken) will be introduced while Head of Business & Resource Planning position has been abolished, replaced by that of Head, Partnerships, Business and Operations. Veteran broadcasters including Fran Kelly, Robyn Williams and Margaret Throsby have signed a letter addressed to the ABC board expressing serious concerns to the changes.
A minor funding cut was announced for the ABC. Darren Davidson writing in The Australian suggests that regional reporters & the Fact Check unit may be in the firing line. On Monday, Matthew Knott in the Herald also speculated that the Fact Check unit may go. Base funding is unchanged.
Google ‘Budget 2016: ABC staff warned of job cuts after funding loss’.
ABC TV appoints Michael Carrington to new role of Head of Children’s and Education
ABC Director of Television, Richard Finlayson, today announces the appointment of Michael Carrington to the role of Head of Children’s and Education.
Michael is a multi award-winning media executive with more than 20 years’ experience in the children’s television industry, from production and program acquisition roles to channel management and content commissioning.
Michael, who grew up in Parkes, NSW, is currently Chief Executive Officer of Zodiak Kids Studios, working in London and Paris, where he is responsible for the company’s international program portfolio of live-action and animation productions.
Prior to this, Michael’s roles included Vice President, Global Content & Executive Producer - HIT Entertainment Ltd; Chief Content Officer, Cartoon Network; Channel Controller, CBeebies – BBC; as well as various roles at LEGO Media, Discovery Communications, Amazon Films and Network Ten.
ABC appoints Sally Riley as Head of Scripted Production
ABC Director of Television, Richard Finlayson, has today announced the appointment of Sally Riley to the newly created role of Head of Scripted Production.
Currently ABC TV’s Head of Indigenous, Sally’s new position will see her responsible for leading the Fiction, Comedy, Indigenous and Children’s production teams.
Formerly Head of Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department, Sally joined ABC TV in 2010 as Head of Indigenous, and since that time has achieved an outstanding track record of groundbreaking programs, including Black Comedy, Gods of Wheat Street, 8MMM Aboriginal Radio, the multi-award-winning Redfern Now and the highly-anticipated and critically-acclaimed six-part drama, Cleverman.
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten announced in Canberra this morning that if Labor wins the July 2 election, it will provide $20 million to the ABC to cover 500 extra hours of women’s sport on TV, including cricket, hockey and basketball. It could mean the return of TV coverage to WNBL, whose popularity was hit hard last season by the axing of ABC broadcast, culminating with the folding of Adelaide Lightning and restructuring of Melbourne Boomers. Shorten said the extra funding would also be provided for coverage of Indigenous and regional issues.
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I don’t think we need to have every election promise reported as news especially since politicians have a knack for not keeping them after they are elected. 
Sure, but it is still relevant to the thread.
As long as Labor restores the 2014 cuts too.
Guardian Australia reports the ABC has closed down opinion website The Drum, as the broadcaster tries to manage a reduced newsgathering budget. However the ABC insisted the decision had been driven by the head of news, Gaven Morris, in an attempt to corral the news division’s online output into one place rather than under a separate masthead. The Australian adds The Drum website editor Chip Rolley will leave the broadcaster as part of the closure. The Drum TV program on ABC and ABC News 24 is not affected.
Edit: Gaven Morris has confirmed The Drum website will close next Monday, July 11.
Statement from Director of Television on Catalyst program “Wi-fried”, 5 July 2016
The ABC’s independent Audience and Consumer Affairs (A&CA) Unit today released its findings into a Catalyst episode, “Wi-Fried”, broadcast in February 2016 about the safety of wireless devices such as mobile phones.
The investigation was initiated after the ABC received complaints about the episode. The investigation report is available here.
While accepting the importance of investigating public health issues relating to safety of technology, A&CA concluded that the episode breached the ABC’s editorial policies standards on accuracy and impartiality.
The ABC accepts the findings and acknowledges that errors were made in the preparation and ultimate approval of the program. In response, it will take the following steps:
•an announcement about the findings will be broadcast directly following the Catalyst program on 5 July 2016;
•the “Wi-fried” program will be removed from the ABC’s Catalyst website;
•information relating A&CA’s findings will be added to the Catalyst website; and
•information regarding A&CA’s investigation and findings will be published on the ABC Corrections page.
ABC Director of Television, Richard Finlayson said the A&CA investigation had been thorough, involving complex issues and a wide range of material.
“Catalyst is a highly successful and respected science program that explores issues of enormous interest to many Australians. There is no doubt the investigation of risks posed by widespread wireless devices is an important story but we believe greater care should have been taken in presenting complex and multiple points of view.”
The A&CA Report found a number of inaccuracies within the program that had favoured the unorthodox view that mobile phones and WI-FI caused health impacts including brain tumours. ABC TV takes responsibility for the broader decision-making process that resulted in the program going to air and acknowledges this is the second significant breach for the program in two years.
ABC TV is reviewing the strategy and direction for Catalyst with a view to strengthening this very important and popular program. Further, ABC TV is addressing these issues directly with the program makers and has advised the reporter, Dr Maryanne Demasi, that her on-air editorial assignments will be on hold until the review is completed in September 2016