ABC arts programming under attack

Peter Mac

There are signs that ABC management is yielding further ground to 
the government's attempts to exert political control over it.

This is particularly apparent in arts programming, which has long 
been attacked by conservative governments as being 
"intellectually elitist". ABC programmers recently announced they 
had canvassed new program initiatives, mostly based on the 
"reality TV" format. Although they later denied such programs 
would "dumb down" ABC arts, they clearly would.

Judge for yourself. In one proposal a team of caffeine-saturated 
potential authors would "churn out" a novel in three days while 
established writers assessed each chapter. Such a show would be 
most unlikely to result in great literature, great enlightenment 
or great entertainment.

Another idea was for "a race among communities to find their 
favourite historic house, one of which will be saved at the end 
of the show". The others would presumably be demolished! And is 
such a "race" the most illuminating way to find out why 
communities cherish certain buildings and sites?

Yet another was for "bricklayers going aria for aria with pig 
farmers in a contest to find the best opera singer". Why single 
out such workers, as though sniggering that they are the least 
likely to yield worthy performances? Talent quests have in the 
past helped to identify great potential, but would this be the 
real object in this type of contest? Or would it be set up to 
provide an audience battleground for contestants' backers?

And then there is the whole issue of "arts" alienation by 
programming. Some of the most successful arts programs have been 
aired on weekday evenings — for example the highly popular and 
intriguing archaeology programs. Why should other programs be 
stigmatised by being put in a Sunday afternoon arts "box", which 
virtually ensures that their potentially wonderful and uplifting 
content is enjoyed by the smallest viewing audience? It is not 
the right idea for everyone's ABC.