Welcome to our first edition of a monthly news blog post Checking the Pulse which we hope you find useful and informative.

We want to provide regular updates to let you know about topical interesting reads, online events coming up and ABC TV productions you may enjoy.

Upcoming Online Events

Next month ABC Friends NSW/ACT is running a webinar titled Stand Up For The ABC. The speakers are: Ed Davis (ABC Friends President), Emma Dawson (Executive Director of Per Capita) and Kerry O'Brien (retired ABC journalist and presenter). The event will run 3.30pm-4.30pm (SA and NT CST time) on Wednesday 2 September. For more information and to register click here. 

Informative Reads

If you're looking for something to read this month then recommend having a look at these three articles.

Feeling confused about whether the ABC's funding is increasing or decreasing? This explainer article in The Age may help.

Read more about why ABC presenter Emma Alberici quit TV over censorship claims here.

Have a look at some of the responses from the Federal Government and the ABC on emergency broadcasting in regional Australia during the 2019-20 bushfire season.

Dates to put in your Diary

Our SA/NT AGM this year will be held via Zoom on Sunday 18 October. More details to be provided in early September. This is your opportunity to join our Committee if you are an ABC Friends SA/NT Member. 

Earlier this year a Hawke Centre event on "Media Freedom" with guest speaker Quentin Dempster which was scheduled for May was cancelled due to Covid-19. We are looking to reschedule this event in November and will provide more details in September.  

Interesting ABC Programmes to catch up on

The new season of Anh's Brush With Fame continues to delight. The programme with guest Richard Harris (Australian of the Year/Thai cave rescue) is inspiring and the recent episode with guest Anna Meares sharing her highs and challenges very moving.

The Sound with hosts Jane Gazzo and Jan Rowe featuring guest co-hosts is also worth a watch.

Both programmes are available for on-demand viewing on ABC iview.

Volunteering Opportunity

We are keen to add to our state committee numbers. So, if you would like to get involved and help us in our advocacy work for proper funding of the ABC and protection of its independence then please let us know as we would welcome new faces (you must be an existing ABC Friends Member).