The mid-year report can be found here
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ABC signs MOU with RNZ
Radio New Zealand (RNZ) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, outlining a new framework for co-productions, sharing of content domestically and on each otherâs international channels.
In a visit to RNZ offices in Wellington, ABC Managing Director David Anderson, ABC Strategy Director Mark Tapley and ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman met with RNZ Chief Executive Paul Thompson for the official signing of the new partnership.
Under the key tenets of the MOU, the ABC and RNZ will develop a productive and meaningful working relationship through collaborative projects and content sharing activity to serve audiences both domestically and across the Pacific.
The framework of the new agreement also identifies how both public broadcasters, through their regional broadcast efforts, will aim to promote access to high quality news, combat misinformation and provide content and services that inform, educate and entertain audiences.
Collaboration under the MOU has already begun with daily news sharing and content exchange between the ABC and RNZ News teams, as well as a radio and podcast co-production that will launch later this year.
RNZ Chief Executive and Editor in Chief Paul Thompson said the new partnership builds on the existing relationship: "We have so much in common with the ABC in terms of our shared opportunities and challenges as public media organisations, and this MOU allows us to learn from each other, to share content and even to consider how we might work together on co-productions.â
âThe MOU also recognises the shared role we have in the Pacific to work collaboratively alongside local media partners to promote high-quality news and current affairs.â
ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: âAs a fellow public broadcaster and close neighbour, the ABC has a deep history of working side-by-side with RNZ in fulfilling our responsibilities to serve our respective nations. We welcome this opportunity to explore new areas for collaboration and content exchange across our services and offerings."
ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman commented: âWe are delighted to be formalising our partnership with RNZ; the MOU signifies an exciting and important next step in strengthening our friendship. By working together across new initiatives and projects, this agreement will support our shared commitment to continue delivering high-quality news, diverse regional storytelling and informative and entertaining content to audiences across the region.â
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Fran Kelly to present the 2024 Andrew Olle Media Lecture
Respected radio presenter, journalist and political correspondent Fran Kelly will deliver the 2024 Andrew Olle Media Lecture at W Sydney on Friday 18 October.
Fran is currently the host of Saturday Extra on Radio National and previously hosted RN Breakfast for a remarkable 17 years between 2005 and 2021.
Of the opportunity, Fran said "Iâm thrilled to have been asked to deliver the Andrew Olle lecture.
âAs someone whoâs spent most of my career in radio, its humbling to be associated with Andrew, a man who brought such warmth, intelligence, and journalistic integrity to the airwaves and had such a deep connection and affection with his audience. As a young radio journalist just starting out at the ABC, Andrew Olle represented a journalistic standard and style to strive forâ.
ABC Head of Audio Ben Latimer said: "Fran exemplifies the ideals we honour in the Andrew Olle Media Lecture.
âFor more than 20 years, Fran has been a pioneering presenter at the forefront of holding the powerful to account and her career is testament to her skill, determination and her ability to adapt.â
About Fran Kelly
Fran is a respected radio presenter, current affairs journalist and political correspondent.
She has held positions including chief political correspondent for the AM and PM programs, political editor of the 7.30 Report and ABC Europe correspondent based in London.
In 2005 she became host of Radio Nationalâs agenda-setting Breakfast program, a seat she filled until 2021.
She then took on a new role hosting her own TV talk show Frankly talking to some of Australiaâs biggest names and brains. Fran also created and co-presents political podcast The Party Room with Patricia Karvelas and presented a special six-episode podcast series Yours Queerly.
Since 2024 Fran has presented Saturday Extra on ABC Radio National.
About the Andrew Olle Media Lecture
The Andrew Olle Media Lecture is held in honour of one of the ABCâs iconic broadcasters, Andrew Olle and will raise funds for The Brain Cancer Collective. It will be delivered at a black-tie dinner at W Sydney, Darling Harbour on Friday 18 October. ABC Radio Sydney Drive presenter Richard Glover will host the evening.
The event also serves as an opportunity to announce the Andrew Olle Media Scholarship winner.
Previous speakers include Leigh Sales AM, Ita Buttrose AC OBE, Peter FitzSimons, Lisa Wilkinson, Caroline Wilson, Joseph Kahn, Waleed Aly, Helen McCabe, Kate McClymont, Mark Colvin, Laurie Oakes, Ray Martin AM, John Hartigan, John Doyle AM, Lachlan Murdoch, Kerry Stokes AC and Jana Wendt.
Tickets can be purchased here.
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ABC and Screen Australia announce Fresh Blood projects set for production
The ABC and Screen Australia are delighted to announce the next stage of the Fresh Blood initiative, with three projects being selected to move into production.
Each team will receive $400,000 in funding ($200,000 from the ABC and $200,000 from Screen Australia) for the production of a 30-minute pilot, reflecting a continued commitment to supporting emerging Australian talent and innovative storytelling.
The three projects were selected from a highly-competitive pool and showcase the calibre of new and diverse voices within the Australian screen industry.
Rachel Millar, ABC Head of Entertainment said, âThe ABC is thrilled to be moving into pilot stage for the next round of Fresh Blood. We were so impressed with the ingenuity, diversity, and production value in the stage 1 short form. We canât wait to see their truly âfreshâ storytelling come to fruition in long form and weâre excited to be once again partnering with Screen Australia on this fantastic initiative.â
Lee Naimo, Head of Online and Games Screen Australia said, âBuilding on the success of the previous Fresh Blood initiatives, weâre proud to support these three teams and their exciting projects to move into production on their pilots, promising to bring fresh perspectives to Australian audiences. These projects exemplify the creativity and diversity that the Fresh Blood initiative aims to champion.â
The successful projects are:
¡ Going Under: A comedy-drama that explores the lies people tell to save face, grieving for something not yet lost, and not disappointing Mum. Written by Lauren Bonner and Danielle Walker and produced by Craig Ivanoff and Saskia Vaneveld. The story is set in a town on the brink of destruction. As the protagonist gets reacquainted, she falls back in love with the community she had left behind. Going Under is about personal growth and the connection between individuals and their communities.
¡ Urvi Went to an All Girls School: A coming-of-age comedy-drama set in 2010 Melbourne. Directed by Nina Oyama and written by Urvi Majumdar, Nina Oyama, Rohan Ganju and Suren Jayemanne, this story follows the journey of a teenage girl determined to become an actress despite her traditional Indian familyâs wishes. Produced by Lauren Nichols with executive producers Michelle Buxton, Urvi Majumdar and Chris Mcdonald, Urvi Went to an All Girls School, asks audiences how far theyâd go to follow a dream â defying cultural expectations in the uniquely heightened environment of a selective all-girls school.
¡ Westerners: Immerses viewers in the vibrant, multicultural milieu of Western Sydney. Directed by Munasib T Hamid and co-written by Kevin Duo Han and Mark Mariano, the story follows three young adults navigating the challenges of their unfulfilling jobs while contending with cultural clashes and personal dilemmas. Produced by Monique Mulcahy and executive produced by Max Miller, Georgia Mappin and Sam Lingham, Westerners combines humour with a surrealist style, depicting the charactersâ struggles and comedic escapades in a culturally diverse environment â exploring themes of identity, community and the quest for meaning.
Watch all the Stage 1 Fresh Blood shorts on our YouTube channel here.
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Why donât they call it for what it is⌠Giving money to our friends.
Danielle and Nina have both been on network television shows, various other ABC shows scripted and otherwise and a worldwide hit (Deadloch) and are both successful comedians.
What about them is fresh blood?
Project is also to support innovative, fresh, and diverse story telling
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So rename it. Fresh Blood indicates people.
Thereâs a difference between appearing on someone elseâs program and you writing and developing your own show.
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Exactly theyâre not just acting in others works
Exactly. So thatâs why they are fesh blood in terms of writing and creating programs.
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As mentioned in Amanda Meadeâs Weekly Beast column in The Guardian Australia website, the ABC published an ad for the position of managing director in The Australian Financial Review today, as well as its own careers website. Applications close October 1.
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Statement from ABC Managing Director David Anderson: Independent Review
A series of allegations and concerns have been raised regarding a September 2022 ABC News online article and 7.30 story regarding operations by the 2nd Commando Regiment during a 2012 deployment in Afghanistan, which included helmet cam footage captured by the commandos.
An issue with the audio on a video accompanying the online story was first brought to the attention of ABC News last week and it immediately looked into the claims. Based on preliminary inspection, an editing error in the audio was identified and we have removed the video. This error should not have occurred.
Other allegations have subsequently been made about the ABCâs reporting and use of the helmet cam footage, including how it was edited in the 7.30 broadcast.
It has now come to my attention that in November 2022, ABC Legal was sent a letter raising concerns about the audio editing. Regrettably, at no point was this letter, or the information in the letter, disseminated to ABC News.
The ABC is subject to the highest scrutiny, as it should be, given the trust the public places in it. Trust in the ABC has been built over time by providing outstanding journalism, upholding the strongest editorial standards and being transparent with the public about how we do that. The ABC is committed to maintaining that trust.
I am now commissioning an independent review of the issues that have been raised with the online and broadcast story to fully understand what has occurred and make any necessary recommendations.
The public interest issues raised by the stories remain valid. The ABC is removing the full online article and associated video content until further notice.
Further information on the review will be provided and I will give an update on the findings at an appropriate time.
I will be providing an update regarding who will heading up the independent review in the coming days.
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I WAS ACTUALLY THERE and MAGGIE BEERâs BIG MISSION receive nominations for the C21 International Format Awards
ABC Commercial is thrilled to announce that two of its flagship programs, MAGGIE BEERâS BIG MISSION and I WAS ACTUALLY THERE, have been nominated at the prestigious C21 International Format Awards.
Creator/Director Kirk Dockerâs new series I WAS ACTUALLY THERE and MAGGIE BEERâS BIG MISSION from Artemis Media have both been nominated in the highly competitive Factual Entertainment category.
Spurred by shocking findings from a recent Aged Care Royal Commission, MAGGIE BEERâS BIG MISSION is an ambitious world-first social experiment aimed at transforming the meals and dining experience at an aged care home, restoring health and joy to the residents and carers. Spotlighting a range of moments in history from the legendary to the less well known, I WAS ACTUALLY THERE is a bold, new documentary series that explores defining moments of recent history through the eyes, ears and voices of those who witnessed them firsthand.
MAGGIE BEERâS BIG MISSION has received double recognition â with the showâs charismatic host, Maggie Beer, receiving a nomination for the Best Host of a TV Format award, further cementing her status as a beloved figure in Australian television.
âABC Commercial is proud to represent the international distribution of both programs, with this recognition being a testament to the exceptional creativity and commercial appeal of these programs. With strong early interest in the formats, we are excited to officially launch them at MIPCOM and congratulate the talented teams behind both shows on their well-deserved nominationsâ says Karen Quinn, Content Sales Manager.
ABCâs Head of Factual, Susie Jones says , âABC is so proud of our factual output, and the recognition itâs receiving on the world stage. I Was Actually There is a fresh, contemporary History series that is arresting in its authenticity, and explores pivotal moments that have defined our nation. Maggie Beerâs Big Mission tackles one of the most important issues of modern Australia â how we care for our elderly. It launched a much-needed campaign with heart, integrity and purpose. All of our factual series speak to critical national conversations that shape, reflect and define our nation and weâre thrilled that these original Australian series are being celebrated.â
âArtemis and Maggie Beer AO are thrilled to be nominated in these awards. We set out to create TV to inspire, entertain, and to create lasting change around good nutrition for older peopleâ says MAGGIER BEERâS BIG MISSION Executive Producer and recent recipient of a Business Enterprise Grant from Screen Australia, Celia Tait. âWith Maggieâs extraordinary leadership and tenacity, our brilliant consultants, and the generosity of staff and residents at Meath Care who opened their doors to us, weâve demonstrated a clear way forward to enrich the lives of our older citizens in aged care homes. Big thanks to our talented production team led by Laki Baker, and for the support from ABC, Screen Australia, and Screen West.â
I WAS ACTUALLY THERE Executive producer and co-creator Kirk Docker says: âItâs an honour for the team to be nominated in these awards. In an era often defined by the loudest voices and the shortest attention spans, we have made a series that heads in the opposite directions, that understands how important it is to be mindful of our history and the narratives woven into its telling. With the backing of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Screen NSW, we remind viewers that the stories we tell ourselves about the past are made up of smaller, personal stories, of the experiences of living, breathing human beings, as different as we are the same. Docker Media is proud to have created a format we hope will travel beyond our borders, one we believe can be moulded to the individual contours of cultures and countries around the world.â
The C21 International Format Awards celebrate the most innovative and successful television formats from around the world. Winners will be announced on 20 October during content market MIPCOM, which is held in Cannes, France.
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Before the release of the findings, Dr Terri Jankeâs review team has enlisted independent psychological support for ABC staff to help them cope with the report.
Participants in the review were contacted this week and offered three sessions per person with specialists Psychs for Journalists, funded by the ABC, according to correspondence seen by this masthead. Staff were told they could use the sessions before or after the reportâs release.
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Press release from the office of Communications Minister Michelle Rowland
New appointment to the ABC Board
The Albanese Government has appointed Ms Katrina Sedgwick OAM as a non-executive Director to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Board for a five-year term.
Ms Sedgwick has extensive experience in the arts sector including performance, screen, festivals, museums, commissioning, and administration. In 2020 she received an Order of Australia Medal for Services to Film, Theatre, and Visual Arts Administration.
Ms Sedgwick is currently the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, and has previously held these positions at the Adelaide Film Festival and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
In addition, Ms Sedgwick has held board positions at Back to Back Theatre, the Australian Childrenâs Television Foundation, Chunky Move, Art Gallery of South Australia, and the Australian Film Television and Radio School, and was the Head of Arts at the ABC between 2012 and 2015.
Ms Sedgwickâs skills and experience will support the ABC to continue to deliver on its Charter to provide programs that contribute to a sense of national identity and inform and entertain, and reflect the cultural diversity of the Australian community, as well as to encourage and promote the musical, dramatic and other performing arts in Australia.
This non-executive Director was nominated for appointment by the Nomination Panel as part of the merit-based appointment process for the ABC and SBS Boards.
Ms Sedgwick will commence in the role on 2 October 2024 and will replace the outgoing member, Mr Peter Lewis, whose term expires on 1 October 2024.
The Government acknowledges and thanks Mr Lewis for his significant contribution to the ABC Board over two terms.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
I thank Peter Lewis for his service on the ABC Board, during which time he made a valuable contribution to supporting the ABCâs continuing success in keeping Australians informed and entertained, and I congratulate Katrina Sedgwick on her appointment.
Ms Sedgwick brings a strong creative boost to the Board alongside relevant executive and board-level experience, and increases the geographic diversity of the board with resident Victorian representation.
I look forward to working with the Board and Ms Sedgwick into the future.
The âListen Loudly, Act Stronglyâ report spoke to 120 participants comprising current and former ABC staff to hear their experiences of racism at work.
Just one participant said they had not personally experienced racism within the ABC.
The reportâs authors said the ABC had been proactive in introducing measures to address racism, but the implementation of those strategies had been inconsistent.
The Review is available here and the 15 recommendations and the ABCâs response here. The ABC has also developed a list of Action Items, available here.
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The thing is this is an industry wide issue and not unique to the abc whatsoever.
As unacceptable and incredibly wrong these comments or situations are, they are hardly unique