ABC operations

Television ABC
1235

ABC response to statements made today by Christian Porter

The 26 February 2021 article remains online without any amendments.

The ABC has not said that it regrets the article. As we have stated, the ABC stands by the importance of the article, which reported on matters of significant public interest. The Editor’s Note says: “(B)oth parties accept that some readers misinterpreted the article as an accusation of guilt against Mr Porter. That reading, which was not intended by the ABC, is regretted.

The ABC has never and still does not accept that the article suggested guilt on the part of Mr Porter. The ABC did not plead a truth defence to the “guilt” meaning that Mr Porter alleged in his statement of claim.

The article was not “sensationalist”. It was an accurate and factual report on a letter that had been sent to the Prime Minister and two other senior politicians.

Communications concerning the mediation started before the commencement of the Dyer v Chrysanthou proceedings. It is simply incorrect to suggest that evidence in that case led the ABC to seek mediation.

Mediations are very common in defamation matters, and it is important that all litigant parties seek to explore potential resolution options when they can – especially so for the ABC as a model litigant.

As a public broadcaster, the ABC considered the payment of mediation costs to be a responsible course of action. The resolution reached avoids further significant legal costs.

In relation other comments and statements that have been made:

The only costs paid by the ABC, apart from its own, were mediation and related costs.

Four Corners EP Sally Neighbour did not “lie” when she tweeted that “‘No money was paid”. Ms Neighbour meant that no money was paid to Mr Porter, which is correct. Ms Neighbour quickly clarified her tweet to say that “No damages were paid”.

The ABC categorically rejects the claim that Louise Milligan “coached” Jo Dyer. The suggestion is not only an insult to Ms Milligan but also to Ms Dyer’s intelligence and integrity.

Despite the assertion in Mr Porter’s filed reply, Ms Milligan did not attempt to speak to Kate before her death. That suggestion is completely untrue.

1236

oh look disgruntled former employee tries false equivalence. You belong on mod-que for spewing constant nonsense on here.

5 Likes
1237
1241

… and I’m guessing you have nothing of consequence to add to the thread other than simply attempting to insult another contributor?

1 Like
1242

ABC raises $315,000 for NSW flood victims

There were dishwashers, televisions, fridges and money donated to buy a kitchen sink. One 94-year-old Bonny Hills resident received a much-needed window for her granny flat – allowing her to return to live with her family.

In all, around 840 household items were given in ABC Radio’s NSW Flood Appeal along with $315,000 – all of which will go to those affected by the March floods in communities up and down the NSW coast.

The seven-day appeal, which closed yesterday, ran on ABC Radio Sydney, ABC’s twelve regional NSW bureaux, the national News Channel and ABC News NSW, including the 7.00pm television bulletin. It was run in partnership with the not-for-profit organisation GIVIT.

ABC Sydney Manager, Melanie Withnall, thanked ABC audiences around NSW for their enormous generosity.

“Some in flood-affected communities have been doing it tough,” she said. “In some cases, families have lost all their essential household items and are not in a position to be able to replace them. The response from our listeners has been overwhelming and will make such a big difference for those most in need.”

Ms Withnall also thanked the ABC’s appeal partner, GIVIT, which ensures 100 per cent of donated goods, services and money raised, gets to those who need it.

GIVIT CEO, Sarah Tennant said: “On behalf of GIVIT and everyone affected by these devastating floods, we would like to thank ABC listeners for their generosity. This is a long-term recovery for so many people and your donations will go a long way in helping people to get back on their feet.”

1243

ABC and FNMA partnership to support more Indigenous content in Australian media

image

A new partnership between the ABC and First Nations Media Australia (FNMA) will see both organisations share knowledge and staff to increase the number of Indigenous voices and stories seen and heard in Australian media.

Across the next 12 months, the ABC and FNMA will each bring their unique skills and perspectives to three media collaborations around news gathering; festivals and events; and content co-production to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in media and to increase the number and diversity of Indigenous stories.

The ABC’s Managing Director, David Anderson, said both organisations had much to learn from each other. “The sharing of skills around broadcast production, communications and Indigenous storytelling will mean Australian audiences will have a much richer experience with access to a much broader range of Indigenous content in coming years.”

“We have already started working on projects that include the mentoring of emerging Indigenous sports broadcasters and making available our emergency broadcast feeds to FNMA members.”

Other projects include a focus on Indigenous sport on ABC Digital Radio, and the provision of legal advice by ABC Legal through an arrangement with the Australian Pro Bono Centre, Mr Anderson said.

FNMA Chair, Naomi Moran said, “FNMA is pleased to see the ABC acting on its Elevate RAP through supporting the community-controlled and independent First Nations media sector to share stories from grassroots community. The First Nations media sector represents the voices of black Australia. We are responsible for truth telling through our news and current affairs, and the authentic story telling of our people and communities. Partnering with the ABC will further amplify and celebrate the work being undertaken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reporters and broadcasters across areas often overlooked by mainstream media.”

The partnership with FNMA is part of the ABC’s commitment to its Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which aims to create strategic partnerships and projects with Indigenous communities and peak bodies.

First Nations Media Australia is the national peak body for the First Nations media and communications industry. It coordinates and leads activities that support a dynamic and sustainable First Nations media industry, empowering Australia’s First Nations people through a culturally connected media industry.

1244

We might find out next week if Porter backed down because of the contents of the ABC’s defence.

1245

https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/liberal-party-powerbroker-michael-kroger-urges-abc-chairwoman-ita-buttrose-to-just-resign/news-story/2a5fd446e96f85745dc5e347d494ba7c

Mr Kroger, who served on the ABC board for five years, said the ABC could not be reformed because the left-wing staff ran the organisation in defiance of any outside interference.

Mr Kroger went on to describe various programs as throwing “political acid” in the Liberal Party’s face.

“They have weaponised Four Corners, Q&A in particular, which is like political acid in the face of the Liberal Party,’’ he said.

“It’s a shockingly biased program. The Drum, these current affairs shows are just weaponised against the Coalition.”

1246

Who cares?

1247

Sounds like a dummy spit from someone who has become increasingly irrelevant in recent years. Probably upset he doesn’t get invited on these programmes any more.

I encountered Michael back when he was married to Helen, had a bit of the fun uncle vibe about him before his “powerbroker” ego and toxic brand of conservatism too over completely.

2 Likes
1248

Who cares what Michael Kroger thinks? Perhaps if his party members acted like decent human beings and just did their job then shows like Four Corners wouldn’t have to do stories on them.

7 Likes
1249

Nothing says bias like a show that gives a platform to an organisation that… wants the ABC abolished or privatised.

5 Likes
1250
1251

ABC welcomes focus of government’s Media Reform Green Paper

The ABC has welcomed the government’s focus on much-needed reforms to the Australian television and screen industry and called for greater consultation on finding effective measures to ensure the future sustainability of the sector.

The ABC’s response to the government’s Media Reform Green Paper highlights the continued importance of free-to-air (FTA) television services, noting that 75% of Australians watch FTA television for an average of 21.3 hours a week, compared with 12.4 hours for online video-on-demand (VOD) viewers.

David Anderson, ABC Managing Director, said: “We welcome the Green Paper’s recognition of the essential role that FTA television plays in making Australian news, culture and stories available to all Australians.

“As the nation’s biggest backer of homegrown content and creativity, the ABC agrees that broadcast television is important for most Australians and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

“We look forward to further consultation involving the government and FTA broadcasters to find the best approach to ensuring a sustainable future for the Australian television industry across the next decade and beyond.”

The ABC’s response to the Green Paper proposes principles that should be applied to developing a future roadmap for television, including:

  • Maintaining the Australian television broadcasting system and the distinct roles that national and commercial broadcasters play in it;
  • Equitable distribution of spectrum in each broadcast market; and
  • Ensuring consistent access to ABC services for all Australians across metropolitan, regional and remote areas.

In response to the Green Paper, the ABC says the proposal to shift broadcasters to delivering services through shared multiplexes, reducing the number of 7 MHz channels allocated for broadcasting, will require broadcasters to reduce the number and/or quality of the channels they offer audiences.

The ABC also submits that the Green Paper model removes any future growth path for FTA television, by preventing broadcasters from offering television services in higher-resolution formats to meet audiences’ expectations and remain competitive with online platforms.

The ABC welcomes the invitation in the Green Paper to propose other means of ensuring a sustainable Australian broadcast television sector.

The ABC submission makes the following points:

  • In combination with other funding sources such as Screen Australia, state screen agencies and the producer offset, additional funding for the ABC of $30 million per annum over the next three years would deliver more Australian stories on television screens. That funding will support the production of an extra 36 hours of Australian drama, factual and children’s content and 30 hours of arts, music and specialist programming a year.
  • The ABC strongly supports the introduction of regulatory mechanisms to ensure the presence and prominence of FTA broadcasters’ services on connected-TV platforms, which are becoming a new type of gatekeeper for Australian media services and content.
  • The ABC acknowledges the merit of the proposition that major international VOD services should contribute to the Australian production sector. Both content commissioners and audiences benefit from a thriving independent sector, and the Corporation supports measures that would sustain and grow it. The ABC would support regulation that would require SVODs to contribute to an Australian content fund. Careful design is required to ensure that it does not add to inflationary pressures already affecting the production sector.
  • Legislating an explicit requirement for the national broadcasters to provide new Australian programming is unnecessary. In the absence of any quota, the ABC is already a major investor in Australian content and a key partner to Australia’s independent production sector. Further, the imposition of an explicit content obligation risks affecting the ABC’s operational independence.

The ABC’s response to the Media Reform Green Paper is available to read here.

1252
1253

ABC launches First Nations Talent Portal to increase Indigenous voices and representation on all its platforms

image

ABC content makers will be able to readily identify and promote First Nations voices and screen practitioners with the launch of the ABC’s First Nations Talent Portal.

Continuing with this year’s reconciliation theme of ‘more than a word, reconciliation takes action’, the talent portal represents the ABC’s commitment to undertaking braver, more impactful action.

The talent portal will help current and emerging First Nations voices and screen practitioners to be part of the Australian media and entertainment industries both on-air and behind-the-scenes. The portal also supports the goals of the ABC’s Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan and Diversity Action Plan. Information collected will be stored in a centralised, secure internal ABC database which all content teams will have access to.

Portal Manager and Indigenous Researcher, Ebony Havnen said: “the First Nations Talent Portal is a valuable tool for content makers to find the right people for their projects. We’re diverse, dynamic people and we need better representation in all media.”

As the portal grows, it will become an invaluable resource to the ABC and its creative teams, allowing ABC creatives to readily identify, employ and promote First Nations people for future ABC projects. Such opportunities include guest appearances, producing, reporting, backfill, acting and hosting.

ABC Managing Director, David Anderson said: “First Nations talent continues to have an important role to play in bringing stories into the national conversation. The ABC has a commitment to create these opportunities and to reflect the cultural diversity and national identity of Australia.”

To further the work that is already underway between the ABC and First Nations Media Australia (FNMA), the ABC’s First Nations Talent Portal provides people the option to share their information with FNMA members. FNMA Chair, Naomi Moran said, “this is a positive step in acknowledging and recognising the place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spokespeople where Indigenous perspectives have needed to be heard across a range of topics. We are pleased to amplify those voices across First Nations media outlets. Working alongside the ABC to share resources and minimise double-handling from a talent perspective helps all of us concentrate on the work rather than the processes.”

First Nations people can connect directly to the ABC by either submitting their interest or by responding to one of our specific talent callouts. We invite all First Nations media creatives, performers, academics, community spokes people, peak body representatives, researchers and the like, to fill in their details if they would like to become a potential contributor to ABC content.

Portal:

1254

Must be Friday

Response to The Australian editorial

The Australian’s editorial on 8 June (“Greatest enemy of truth is those who conspire to lie”) made serious and unfounded allegations against two ABC journalists, Louise Milligan and Sally Neighbour, and the Four Corners team.

To see The Australian use its editorial space in such a way undermines the traditions of journalism it purports to stand for.

ABC Managing Director David Anderson stated his position clearly at Senate Estimates this week, when he said: ‘I have absolute faith and the utmost respect for the Four Corners team. They are an outstanding, award-winning team…I stand by the journalism of Four Corners . I always have. Still do. And I will continue to work with Four Corners on the excellent work that they do.’”

1255
1256

It’s not. Why make up something that is very easily checked to show that it is wrong.

1 Like
1257

People have been saying it for years but now it’s official - Sydney is up the creek.

The Ponds Creek in the Parramatta suburb of Dundas, that is.

Experts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics have calculated that the exact heart of Australia’s most populated city is the middle of a bush creek near St Patrick’s Marist College in Kissing Point Road.