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Welcome to the
Friends of the ABC (Western Australia) web site.
On our site you will find out about our activities, as well as information on our ABC.
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LAST UPDATED: 27th March, 2008
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FABC (WA) Update Autumn 2008:
Below is the Link to view the latest FABC (WA) Autumn Newsletter.
http://www.abcfriendswa.net/NewsDetail.asp?ID=162
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15th November 2007
Letters to the Editor: Local Newspapers
Dear Editor
Re: The ABC - as important as Health, Education & Interest Rates
One of the most important matters that has not been addressed in this election is the future of the ABC.
With 60 local and four specialist radio stations, television and online services, the ABC serves all Australians.
Independant from government and commercial influence, we trust our public broadcaster to report without fear or favour and to scrutinise governments and other powerful bodies. We rely on it for quality entertainment, and to reflect Australian life and culture.
But starved of adequate funds and now governed by a board stacked with government supporters, the ABC is heading down the commerical track.
Labor, Greens and the Democrats are committed to introduce a new merit-based system of appointments to the ABC Board if elected. As yet, neither the Coalition nor Labor has promised funding to rebuild the ABC.
Australians are fortunate to have an independant national broadcaster. Its significance is even greater in a country which has little media diversity left.
Australia's other public broadcaster is being commerialised by stealth. Ads now interrupt television viewing on SBS. Its programming is changing to attract advertisers. Don't let that happen to the ABC.
Yours sincerely
Professor Alan Knight
National Spokesperson
Friends of the ABC
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Supporting The ABC - 2007 Election Report
Adequate funding and independence - from political and commercial influence - are critical to
the ABC's future.
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Supporting the ABC: |
Independence |
Funding |
Radio
Australia |
|
Australian Democrats |
YES |
YES |
YES |
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Greens |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
Labor Party |
YES |
? |
? |
|
Liberal-National Party Government |
NO |
? |
NO |
Friends of the ABC's assessment of support for the ABC is based on the results of its election questionnaire and recent records of the parties.
To date, neither the Coalition nor the ALP has committed to a funding increase to rebuild the ABC. Family First failed to reply to the questionnaire.
Information will be updated on FABC's website www.fabc.org.au as the parties announce further policies.
Where the Parties Stand
. Liberal-National Coalition: The Coalition looks to be promising more of the same for the ABC. It has not specified any increased level of base funding. It will retain the present system of appointments that has resulted in the stacking of the ABC Board, and continue to undermine the ABC's independence with targeted funding. The Coalition will maintain the current prohibition on advertising and sponsorship on radio and TV, but not extend the ban to ABC websites.
. Opposition Parties - Labor, Greens and Democrats: In opposition, the ALP, Democrats and Greens have been strong supporters of the ABC's political and commercial independence, with the Democrats especially having a sound knowledge of issues concerning the ABC and a long record of promoting and defending it.
The three parties all promise a new system of board appointments that is transparent and merit-based, along the lines of the UK Nolan system. They would reinstate the staff-elected director (also the public's watchdog) to the ABC Board. All are opposed to advertising and sponsorship on ABC TV, radio and ABC websites; but with ALP opposition to ads on websites being limited to, and it failing to define what it means by, 'ABC branded' websites.
The ALP has not specified any increased level of funding for the ABC. It has not committed to restore ABC triennial funding, important because it promotes the ABC's independence from government, as opposed to targeting funding to specific areas.
Printed & authorised by Glenys Stradijot, Friends of the ABC (Vic) Inc. A0034181A. 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne, Vic 3205. 6Nov07
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FABCWA Spring Newsletter:
Our Spring Newsletter can be viewed by going to the News page.
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FABCWA 2007 AGM:
On Sunday 23rd September in the Alexander Library lecture Theatre, the 2007 AGM for the Friends of the ABC WA was held. We had many members and guests attending with the total being around 100. The meeting opened at 2:10 pm and after Minutes from 2006 AGM were accepted, the Acting President, John Smith, gave his report for the year. A full transcript can be read in the News section.
Following the Presidents Report the audited accounts were tabled and the current fininacial status of the FABCWA was presented. This then was followed by the election of the new Committee.
Next our Guest Speaker, Quentin Dempster, gave his very informative address followed by questions from the floor.
The AGM meeting was closed and all people attending were invited to a very well catered for afternoon tea.
A summary of the AGM and Quentin Dempster's talk will circulated in our Spring Newsletter to be posted out shortly.
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COPYRIGHT: Any material on this site may be reproduced without permission as long as:
1) It is used in context.
2) It is original material.
3) The source (Friends of the ABC, (Western Australia)) is acknowledged.
4) It is not used for profit.
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