The Guardian 5 April, 2006
Your ABC needs your support
The ABC is making news again and it is not very happy news. First there is a question of the ABC budget. The Government is considering the ABC’s funding for the coming three years.
The ABC has been underfunded for years and is asking for a modest increase, seeking $34.4 million, that is 0.426 percent of the $9 billion federal budget surplus. Not a lot considering the vital role the ABC is playing in trying to produce local material and maintain its position as an independent public broadcaster.
Governments of all descriptions have had difficult times with the ABC — precisely because of its independent charter and the dedicated workforce, which from time to time question government and corporate decisions and attitudes.
The ABC has wide support in the community: when there is a serious crisis developing anywhere, it is to the ABC that the viewers and listeners turn.
Tens of thousands of Australians have signed a petition demanding a boost for the ABC funding. The independent campaigning group GetUp.org.au, in partnership with the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, started the Fund Our ABC petition on March 23; 24 hours later 20,000 people had logged on to take part — twice GetUp’s original target.
The petition has grown to 36,000-strong and has been sent to the Treasurer, Peter Costello. "This campaign has revealed overwhelming support from within the Australian community to improve real funding for our ABC", said GetUp’s executive director Brett Solomon.
"The speed and force behind this campaign has been unprecedented. Australians are often labelled an apathetic bunch, but the public’s comments of support have poured in by thousands from people across the political spectrum", he added.
As for ABC workers, they are fighting tooth and nail against the proposed abolition of the position of staff-elected director of the board.
A well-attended public meeting last Thursday at ABC headquarters in Ultimo, Sydney, voted unanimously to support the staff-elected position on the board. As Ramona Koval, the present staff representative pointed out: "I am elected by the staff. All the other board members have been picked by the Government, except the managing director, who has been picked by the board. I am the only director independent of the Government.
"The election of a staff director means that at least one member of the board brings expertise in journalism, broadcasting and a working knowledge of the role and functions of the public broadcaster and its importance in the cultural life of the country."
The ABC staff welcomed the decision to refer legislation that would lead to the abolition of the staff-elected position to a Senate inquiry and not have it rushed through parliament.
However, public support is always more than welcome and the ABC needs it now.