Committee - 2008
President:
Vice-President:
Treasurer:
Minute Secretary:
Committee Members:
Dr Harry Cohen
Sandra Cotton
Meg Durston
Alison White
Karen Treaner
John White
Frank Calebrese
Myrna Tonkinson
Lindsay Smith
President’s Report:
The election of a new government gave new hope that things would change for the better as far as our ABC goes. We had pre-election promises such as the reinstatement of the Staff-elected representative on the ABC Board and the appointment of new board members based on merit and not on political persuasion. Significantly however there was no guarantee of increased funding or even of the release of the KPMG report into funding. Members are encouraged to write to their federal MP - suggested points that can be made are in this newsletter so please take the time and act!
The website of the WAFABC is being revamped by a small subcommittee. If members have suggestions as to what should or should not be included, please let us know.
There has been some discussion amongst some branches about a national spokesperson. The decision was made at the National Conference in May 2007 (and reported in FABCWA’s Winter 2007 Update) that FABC required a national spokesperson who should also be a member of the organisation. Professor Alan Knight accepted the nomination for National Spokesperson for a period of 12 months. FABCWA endorsed this choice.
We are still investigating using the services of an 'events coordinator’ who would assist with such things as functions, media releases, boosting membership etc. We’ll keep you posted on developments and decisions made.
Your committee is busy organising the luncheon on the 10th of May and a flier is enclosed. It promises to be a very interesting occasion. Places are limited so please book early.
A film afternoon is also planned for April – see details below.
I hope to see as many of you there as possible!
Harry Cohen
May Day
The 2008 May Day Community Festival is set for 4th May and will be held, as usual, on the Esplanade, Fremantle. The Committee has decided to retain a presence at this event, and has accepted the organisers’ invitation to us to have a stall.
As in past years, we rely on the generous assistance and support of members of FABCWA to ensure the success of the day. The idea is to take the opportunity to remind/inform people of FABC’s existence and role, and to recruit new members.
We are seeking volunteers, so if you plan to be part of May Day and can give us an hour or two of your time on 4th May, please contact Myrna Tonkinson bmtonk@bigpond.net.au or Sandra Cotton dolfinz@ozemail.com.au The task isn’t onerous, it mainly entails sitting at our stall, handing out leaflets and other materials, greeting other Friends of the ABC who drop by, and talking to interested people whom we can encourage to join FABC.
Please write your own short letter to the Prime Minister at the address below.
The Hon Kevin Rudd, MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Some points you might like to address are:
- Restoring the staff-elected director to the ABC Board, an election promise, must be a matter of high priority. As well as being a voice for those who produce the programs, the position ensures that there is at least one person on the Board with public broadcasting experience and current knowledge of ABC operations.
- Present ABC Board members were appointed on neither the basis of merit nor independence or support for public broadcasting. As a result the public has lost confidence in the Board. Labor promised a new merit-based appointment process and you are urged to dissolve the existing Board and establish an ‘arm’s length’ process as a matter of urgency.
- The ABC is Australia’s foremost producer and disseminator of information and culture. Yet its funds have declined out of proportion to all other major areas of government expenditure since 1985/86. I urge you to make public the KPMG Report on the adequacy of the ABC’s funding. I am also keen to learn how your government will give effect to its commitment to adequate triennial funding for the ABC to deliver high quality broadcasting services.
- The creeping commercialisation of the ABC’s broadcasting services is of deep concern. How does your government intend to address this given Labor’s express support for these services, i.e., radio, television and online, being free from commercial interference?
- With Australia’s dangerously high concentration of commercial media ownership, the strong presence of a media outlet that will speak without fear or favour is critical.
- The national public broadcaster is accessible to all Australians. Its operation as an open university fits well with Labor’s policy prioritisation of Education.
- Radio Australia promotes positive relations with neighbours in our region.
Letter to the Editor:
Dear Editor,
I’m a loyal supporter of the ABC and, while I’m especially devoted to Radio National, my family and I use at least four ABC services each day. I can’t imagine life without the ABC. However, I am concerned about some recent trends the effect of which is to diminish the listeners’/viewers’ enjoyment of our ABC. In our household, the most annoying thing is the markedly raised volume when advertising and promotions are screened between programs. This used to be a characteristic of commercial television only, but, if anything it is worse on the ABC. A related issue is the frequency of program promotion on both television and radio. Sometimes, we have heard the grabs so many times that we’re put off by the time the program is aired. Can FABC use its influence to urge Aunty to tone down the marketing and lower the volume? Thanks,