Welcome to the July edition of ABC Friends’ national, monthly e-news.
The past month has seen the ABC in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. And, as is always the case, our members and supporters have been vocal and passionate in their reactions to news of restructuring and redundancies.
Several commentators have queried if the ABC is getting it right in managing the needs and preferences of its existing audience and trying to ensure that it has an audience in the future. These are not easy challenges to balance for any organisation and particularly difficult for an organisation which has suffered such major cuts to funding over the past decade and more.
And while the ABC is now on a more secure footing with guaranteed five year funding and better financial support from the Albanese Government, the recent announcements reflect the reality that the national broadcaster is still facing considerable financial pressure.
We will continue to take your concerns to the ABC and try to get our key messages out as far and wide as we can. Your financial support always helps us so please consider donating here.
Revisiting the ABC Restructure
Striving to recover from its unpopular announcement that the ABC no longer needed a national political editor, the ABC has described as a “separate initiative” the appointment of Insiders host, David Speers, as ABC News National Political Lead.
More or less ABC arts coverage?
While the ABC’s recently announced changes to state and political news services attracted headlines, there has also been considerable backlash against the decision to close its standalone arts unit and make senior staff redundant.
Will Digital First attract Gen Z?
A new digital news report shows that most Australians think the ABC is important to themselves personally and to society more generally.
However, the ABC’s struggle to attract younger audiences was also reflected in the survey, which showed Gen Z the least likely cohort to say public media is important to them personally.
More or less diversity at the ABC?
The ABC will hire a specialist recruitment advisor to bring in diverse employee candidates and increase diversity in leadership as part of its new three-year Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging plan.
Australian cricketers should watch Bluey – maybe the Poms too!
While the current Ashes series is keeping cricket fans enthralled on and off the field, a recent backyard cricket-focused episode of Bluey had viewers of all ages transfixed - and many emotionally affected.
ABC coronation panel “fair”: Ombudsman
In the flurry of media reporting of Stan Grant's decision to step away from TV, you may have missed ABC Ombudsman Fiona Cameron's report into complaints about the ABC’s coverage of the King's Coronation.
Show off your ABC Friends support
ABC Friends has new tote bags and aprons for sale – the perfect gifts for friends and families!
Or for you to show your true colours while out and about.
Our new stylish tote bags - with the popular message, Democracy depends on a strong ABC – are made of heavy duty canvas and include medium length handles ideal for carrying shopping.
They can be bought here for $19.95.
Or you can purchase a very handy apron, with the message Imagine life without your ABC.
These heavy weight, 100% cotton drill aprons come with a large front pocket and are one size fits all.
A conversation starter for any barbecue!
Purchase aprons here for $24.95.
News and events from the states
Find out what's happening around the states and territories.
NSW & ACT
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13 July: How to protect our ABC: presentation by Ross McGowan, Convenor, ABC Friends NSW & ACT Central Coast Branch.
- 20 July: ABC Friends NSW & ACT Winter Dinner with Minister Rowlands as Keynote Speaker (tickets now sold out)
QLD
- 17-19 August: ALP National Conference, with ABCF Qld stall and presence (details to come)
VIC
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22 August: Panel with Zoe Daniels and Jon Faine hosted by ABC Friends Victoria Southern Bayside Group (details to come)
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17 November: ABC Friends Victoria Annual Dinner (details to come)
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23 November: 100 years of radio: Eureka Centre, Ballarat.
WA
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Perhaps the ABC should be renamed the Eastern Australian Broadcasting Corporation or EABC? The recent announcement that the WA Sunday night news bulletin would be axed and replaced by a ‘national’ news bulletin coming out of Sydney has prompted a flurry of emails to us...
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Michael Henry
Acting National President
ABC Friends