What a year! A report to our members and supporters
As 2023 comes to a close, I’m filled with gratitude for all the support you’ve given ABC Friends this year. Our successes wouldn’t have been possible without you. There were some wins and some disappointments but throughout it all I’ve been heartened by your encouragement .
With so much having occurred over this past year, it was easy at times to lose sight of the big picture, of why we are friends of the ABC.
Just imagine a world without a strong public broadcaster. We - and Australia - would be much poorer for it.
Our task is to fight to strengthen our public broadcaster and that’s where our energies will be directed next year.
With your support I know it's a fight worth taking on.
Axing The Drum: short sighted and inexplicable
Thousands of The Drum’s loyal audience members have expressed their dismay at the ABC’s decision to discontinue the program in 2024.
ABC Friends has written to the ABC’s Head of News, Justin Stevens, saying that no other ABC current affairs program provides the intelligent and respectful debate the program offers.
Support truth in political advertising NOW
If you haven't already, please sign our petition to improve trust in our political system.
We must do everything we can to stamp out lies and fake news in political advertising and the first step is to adopt legislation that bans inaccurate or misleading ads during election campaigns.
Please support our campaign and consider sharing it with your friends.
ABC Friends decries release of Four Corners footage
When the WA Police used the Order to Produce provisions of the WA Criminal Investigations Act to demand that the ABC hand over the footage from the 4 Corners program, Escalation, ABC Friends was gravely concerned. We joined MEAA and ABC staff in urging the ABC to not hand it over.
But in November, the ABC provided raw footage to the WA Police. We remain concerned that the decision will undermine public trust in the ABC, and we'll use the WA experience as impetus in our campaign for stronger protections for press freedom.
Impartiality and balance in the spotlight - again
The Gaza conflict has brought concepts of impartiality and balance in news coverage into the spotlight again, with some of the ABC’s journalists raising questions about its coverage.
ABC Friends looks at the recent discussion.
ABC referendum coverage: Yes voices dominant, but balance achieved
A review of the ABC’s referendum coverage has found that the ABC fulfilled its role as a national public broadcaster.
Anderson tells Friends the ABC will continue to strive to meet all needs
Last month ABC Managing Director, David Anderson, told an ABC Friends audience that as the national public broadcaster, the ABC has to meet the “unique expectation of being everything to everyone”.
Relations already strained between NZ Govt and public media
The often troubled relationship between conservative governments and public media organisations has been thrust into the spotlight in the earliest days of the new conservative coalition government in New Zealand - with the independence of government-funded broadcasters at the centre.
State wrap up
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2024.
Our fundraising campaign hasn't yet reached our target of $40,000. So, this Christmas will you consider a gift for ABC Friends?
Thank you again for all your support.
Warm regards,
Cassandra Parkinson
National President
ABC Friends