yes … and I think that after the disastrous outcomes of the 2015 “regional reorganisation” when all the local content managers were made redundant and replaced with a “chief of staff” whose duty statement said s/he was in charge of a “team of journalists”, one of the few things that Michelle Guthrie did right was to abandon that “news based” format that had been developed in the news department, put some money back into regional and away from Ultimo and tried to reestablish the importance of “local radio” … but much of the damage had been done (as demonstrated by the ratings - particularly for breakfast) and it will be a slow climb back to the pre-eminent position that ABC local radio used to hold in the bush …
Only Breakfast (to 10am) is truely “local” - the morning program is networked
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In Queensland, ABC Local Radio have regionalised drive programs after statewide afternoons.
Northern Drive - Far North, North Queensland, Tropical North, Capricornia and Western Queensland
Southern Drive - Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast and Southern Queensland
Gold Coast Drive is unique with their own drive program - if a presenter is away, Gold Coast takes Southern Drive or the other three regions take Gold Coast Drive.
In addition, ABC Sunshine Coast takes the first hour of Breakfast from the Gold Coast.
Former Commonwealth solicitor-general Justin Gleeson, SC, will head the legal team defending the ABC against a Federal Court defamation suit filed against it by Attorney-General Christian Porter, in a major coup for the broadcaster.
Mr Gleeson’s appointment adds significant firepower to the ABC’s defence team, which also includes experienced Victorian defamation barrister Renee Enbom, SC, who acted for actor Rebel Wilson, and Sydney barrister Clarissa Amato, who is well-versed in acting for media defendants including Nine and the ABC.
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Interesting to see what the BBC has just announced regarding shifting its creative and journalistic centre away from London.
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Statement by ABC MD David Anderson
Opening statement by ABC Managing Director David Anderson to Senate Estimates
I thank the Committee for the opportunity to make some brief opening remarks.
An important aspect of the ABC’s role throughout its 90 years has been to hold publicly elected people and government generally, state or federal, to account, without fear or favour, regardless of which political party is in power.
Investigative and public interest journalism is what the ABC does and what the Australian community expects of its national broadcaster.
A free and independent media by its very nature occasionally makes life uncomfortable and difficult for governments of all persuasions, but this is what sets countries like Australia apart from those that limit press freedom or curtail basic liberties.
It is the strength of a healthy democracy which should be protected and nurtured.
I can, however, make the following brief statement in response to commentary that has surrounded these publications.
At all times I believe the ABC has acted in accordance with its statutory obligations of impartiality and its Charter in its reporting.
The Attorney-General continues to be entitled to the presumption of innocence and the public broadcaster has reflected this in its reporting.
More.
… very interesting that the contact for this statement is Sally Jackson who works for the news department’s spin section rather than Nick Leys who is the ABC’s corporate spin doctor - both ex Murdoch … it’s also a pity that the statement starts by saying “I cannot engage with questions about those matters in this forum” and then goes on to provide specific details of the ABC’s view about “those matters” … it’s rather like allowing a defence lawyer to ask questions of a witness, but not allow the prosecution lawyer the same privilege in a court …
Easter on the ABC
The ABC will explore and celebrate Easter this long weekend across radio, television and online, with new programs and features reflecting on the most significant event on the Christian calendar.
ABC content in Holy Week includes sacred music, the Pope’s Easter Vigil Mass and insightful stories about devotion and the search for meaning, across many faiths and beliefs.
Joe Gelonesi, ABC Manager Religion & Ethics, said: “The Easter period is a special time for many Australians and an important reminder of the needs of faith communities to worship, commemorate and celebrate.
“The past 12 months have been difficult for people of all faiths to participate fully with their communities. Throughout this time, the ABC has provided a secure home for faith and belief in all its diversity and a place for all Australians to reconnect through compelling stories of spirit and meaning.”
The ABC’s Easter content highlights include:
ABC Radio
- Holy Week on ABC Classic, from 28 March to 4 April: Music inspired by Easter and Passover, including evenings spent in musical reflection and performances of Bach’s St John Passion (Friday 2 April at 1pm) and Bach’s Easter Oratorio (Sunday 4 April at 1pm).
- Good Friday Breakfast, 6-9am on Radio National (RN): Includes an hour of sacred music and discussions about art as prayer, Jewish traditions of memory and ritual, and our apparently boundless capacity to do terrible things to each other.
- The Religion & Ethics Report, Friday 2 April at 1pm and 5pm on RN : Andrew West discusses the book Vexed: Ethics Beyond Political Tribes and explores the obligations and controversies of philanthropy.
- God Forbid, Sunday 4 April at 6am on RN: Discussions about “Jesus as the female divine” and the social setting of early Christianity.
- Soul Search, Sunday 4 April at 6pm on RN: Meredith Lake visits the “Death Café” in Sydney and discusses religious art in Australia.
ABC Television and ABC iview
- Pope’s Easter Vigil Mass: Sunday 4 April at 2.30pm AEST on ABC TV and ABC iview.
- Compass: The Jesuit who dared , Sunday 4 April at 8pm on ABC TV Plus and ABC iview: The legacy of a priest who rocked the foundations of the Catholic Church.
- Compass: A Legacy in Stone, Sunday 4 April at 6.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview: The story of a sculptor’s stone carvings for Brisbane’s St John’s Cathedral.
- Easter in Australia, Friday 2 April at 12.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview : Jeremy Fernandez investigates the renewal at the heart of the Easter story.
- Jesus: Countdown to Calvary , Friday 2 April on 6pm on ABC TV and ABC iview: Hugh Bonneville travels to Jerusalem to explore the week that changed the world.
- Pilgrimage: The Road to Rome, Sunday 4 April at 9.30pm on ABC TV Plus and iview: Celebrities of differing faiths and beliefs trek from the Italian Alps to Rome.
Delayed by half a day.
Writing in The Australian, George Pell says he wishes there was a second government funded broadcaster, a conservative version of the ABC.
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Frankly, we spend enough money on the ABC. Don’t think doubling those costs is the solution.
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There is, it’s called “SBS”.
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Pell is an idiot.
These guys want an echo chamber. We all want an echo chamber but that’s not possible.
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We all knew that before his latest column was published in The Australia though!
From the little I know about either, I don’t think the Italian media or political landscape is anything our country should be aspiring to emulate.
Well, Foxtel already receives considerable handouts from the federal government…
… what a pointless and ridiculous thing to say … there is already an ongoing debate on social media about whether one form of publication or another is aligned with either the left or the right that has been taken over and is now dominated by extremists on both sides … as a society we need less of that, not more …
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It’s called Foxtel - with the amount of government funding it gets.
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ABC launches Pacific program promoting disaster preparedness
A unique ABC collaboration will promote disaster preparedness across the Pacific with the launch Friday, 9 April of a weekly radio program Pacific Prepared .
Produced by the ABC and journalists from six Pacific nations, Pacific Prepared will give audiences across Oceania essential information to ensure readiness for natural disasters, pandemics and extreme weather events. The program supports Pacific leaders, experts, holders of traditional knowledge and storytellers to inform and engage with citizens, in a way that promotes Pacific voices and unity through a shared commitment to regional resilience.
The idea of ABC Managing Director David Anderson, Pacific Prepared demonstrates the ABC’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Australia’s relationships with countries in the Pacific region.
“The ABC has delivered media services into countries in Asia and the Pacific for more than 80 years with an extensive Pacific presence and long-term relationships with Pacific media, government and civil society,” Mr Anderson said.
“The ABC is delighted to be involved in the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is a great example of the important role Australia’s national broadcaster can play in building media capacity and skills at a critical time in the geopolitical environment.”
Broadcast throughout the region via ABC Radio Australia, Pacific media partner platforms and RNZ, Pacific Prepared is an ABC International Development pilot under the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS), which draws on media relationships to provide training and mentoring to deliver high-quality radio and audio-on-demand programming.
Combining multiple ABC strengths, the initiative has been warmly received by the ABC’s media partners from Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and New Zealand, who appreciate the regional co-operation and collaboration that underpins this initiative.
“Capitol FM is thrilled to be a partner on this project. Pacific Prepared will not only help our listeners stay safe during disasters, but it will also improve our ability to provide quality information the next time disaster strikes.” – Karim Maher Manager – Capitol FM107 Vanuatu
“Disasters are part of life in Fiji and across the Pacific but if people have better information, they can make life-saving decisions. FBC is committed to providing that quality emergency information and Pacific Prepared is playing a major role in that.” – Indra Singh, FBC Manager – News and Sports
The ABC is also the lead broadcast partner through ABC Radio Australia (radio and online). Other broadcast partners in the region include:
| Country | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|
| Fiji | Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) |
| Papua New Guinea | National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) |
| Palau | Palau Broadcasting Company (PWFM) |
| Samoa | Samoa National Radio (2AP) |
| Tonga | Tonga Broadcasting Commission TBC |
| Vanuatu | 1NOMO (Capitol FM 107) |
| New Zealand | Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) |
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Surprising there isn’t a Solomon Islands partner… 
is there a Solomon Islands broadcaster?