tag:theconversation.com,2011:/global/topics/abc-charter-11498/articlesABC Charter – The Conversation2019-10-18T01:00:07Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1220372019-10-18T01:00:07Z2019-10-18T01:00:07ZThe Coalition government is (again) trying to put the squeeze on the ABC<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/296389/original/file-20191010-188819-u1t46k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=64%2C1110%2C3303%2C2042&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The Coalition government has reintroduced a bill seeking to mandate the ABC devote more resources to covering regional Australia – a measure that has been defeated before by parliament.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Danny Casey/AAP</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>One of the basic tenets of the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018C00079">ABC Act</a> is independence from government. Yet once again, in contravention to that principle, the federal government is trying to push through major, unnecessary changes to the <a href="https://about.abc.net.au/how-the-abc-is-run/what-guides-us/legislative-framework/">ABC’s governing laws</a>.</p>
<p>The changes themselves might seem innocuous, even positive. They seek to ensure the ABC devotes more resources to covering regional Australia, and to mandate that its news reporting is “fair and balanced”. </p>
<p>Yet, they come at a time when the ABC has <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-abc-didnt-receive-a-reprieve-in-the-budget-its-still-facing-staggering-cuts-114922">less funding than ever</a>, in relative terms, to deal with the bureaucratic burdens these measures would impose. </p>
<p>If passed, these measures will also expose the organisation to political claims that it’s not doing its job. And they represent blatant political interference in how the ABC determines its objectives and what it spends its money on.</p>
<h2>More emphasis on regional reporting</h2>
<p>On July 31, with little fanfare, the Coalition government introduced the first of three proposed changes to the ABC Act. The <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6382">Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Rural and Regional Measures) Bill 2019</a> requires the ABC to: </p>
<ul>
<li><p>contribute to a sense of “regional” identity as well as “a sense of national identity”</p></li>
<li><p>reflect “geographical”, as well “cultural diversity” </p></li>
<li><p>establish a Regional Advisory Council that the ABC Board will have to consult “before making a [significant] change to a broadcasting service in a regional area”. The ABC also has to report annually on these consultations.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>The bill suggests the council will cost $100,000 per year, while “other measures … are expected to have no financial impact”. But this is a ludicrous notion given the potential cost of expanding local services across the country.</p>
<p>This regional push by the Coalition government is no benign shepherding of the ABC back to its core duties. It’s actually designed to tie the corporation up in red tape and shift its attention away from national coverage – and the machinations of federal government.</p>
<p>The House of Representatives debated the proposed changes last month, splitting along party lines. A vote is likely in the house early next week. And unless there is significant public opposition, the bill could potentially be passed before the end of the year.</p>
<p>The legislation has been before parliament <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-government-and-one-nation-may-use-media-reforms-to-clip-the-abcs-wings-84615">in various forms since 2015</a>, but failed to get through. It has been the subject of two Senate investigations, <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/ABCRuralMeasuresBill/Report">most recently in 2018</a>, with Coalition senators supporting its reintroduction to parliament. </p>
<p>However, dissenting reports <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/ABCRuralMeasuresBill/Report/d01">from Labor</a> and <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/ABCRuralMeasuresBill/Report/d02">the Greens</a> noted the ABC was already committed to regional coverage and couldn’t provide more without a funding increase.</p>
<h2>Another mandate for ‘fair and balanced’ reporting</h2>
<p>The second amendment due to be introduced during the spring sitting is similarly unnecessary. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment (Fair and Balanced) Bill, which is yet to be tabled, is a sop to One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson for her support with the Coalition government’s <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/abc-sbs-funding-could-unlock-media-reform-say-greens-20170815-gxwgrq.html">2017 media ownership legislation</a>. </p>
<p>This proposal, too, was debated and <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=s1095">rejected in parliament</a> in 2017.</p>
<p>As many critics noted when it was rejected, the legislation duplicates existing balance and fairness provisions in the ABC’s editorial policies, and has the potential to constrain coverage of contentious issues.</p>
<p>It is unclear why the Coalition is putting up this bill again, except as an attempt to keep Hanson on side in the Senate.</p>
<h2>Increased pressure on public broadcasting</h2>
<p>We have to read the political intent of these changes in light of the ongoing pressures on the ABC. In recent years, the broadcaster has been faced with</p>
<ul>
<li><p><a href="https://theconversation.com/the-abc-didnt-receive-a-reprieve-in-the-budget-its-still-facing-staggering-cuts-114922">six reductions in funding</a>.</p></li>
<li><p>two efficiency reviews <a href="https://www.communications.gov.au/sites/g/files/net301/f/ABC_and_SBS_efficiency_report_Redacted.pdf">in 2014</a> and <a href="https://www.communications.gov.au/what-we-do/television/national-broadcasters-efficiency-review">in 2018</a> (which has not been publicly released). </p></li>
<li><p>Liberal calls for its privatisation or <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-20/senator-says-abc-should-relocate-to-regional-centres/11229970">sale of its property</a> to “help pay down the national debt”.</p></li>
<li><p>the deputy prime minister’s call to <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/abc-should-go-bush-says-acting-pm-michael-mccormack/news-story/af36b10851edc940b894b285532a8d31">move it wholesale to regional Australia</a>.</p></li>
<li><p>the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-15/abc-raids-australian-federal-police-press-freedom/11309810">recent federal police raids</a> on its investigative reporters.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>These latest proposals to amend the ABC Charter raise bigger questions about how we deal with media law reform. Crucially, to be effective and sustainable, it needs to be strategic, not ad hoc and politicised. </p>
<p>Ever since the ABC was established, one of the country’s most important public policy objectives has been ensuring regional media services. So, rather than tinkering with the ABC, or even granting <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/regional-media-in-crisis-antony-catalano-to-push-for-regulation-changes-20190919-p52sz3.html">private owners more concessions</a>, what we need is a comprehensive analysis of media and communications services for regional, rural and remote communities.</p>
<p>The ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry gave us important insights into the complexity of national media policy <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-media-regulators-face-the-challenge-of-dealing-with-global-platforms-google-and-facebook-121430">in a global environment</a> and recommended stable, adequate budgets for the ABC and SBS. </p>
<p>Pointedly, the ACCC said they are not yet funded </p>
<blockquote>
<p>to fully compensate for the decline in local reporting previously produced by traditional commercial publishers. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>No amount of changes to the ABC Charter will fix that.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/122037/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michael Ward is affiliated with ABC Alumni. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Fiona R Martin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The latest proposals to amend the ABC Charter raise questions about media law reform. To be effective and sustainable, it needs to be strategic, not ad hoc and politicised.Fiona R Martin, Senior Lecturer in Convergent and Online Media, University of SydneyMichael Ward, PhD candidate, University of SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/767972017-04-30T20:03:14Z2017-04-30T20:03:14ZMissing in action: the ABC and Australia’s screen culture<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/167098/original/file-20170427-15112-nffvk0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The ABC's role as a provider of Australian stories can only become more important in a rapidly changing media landscape.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Paul Miller/AAP</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Achievements by the ABC to significantly increase levels of local drama, comedy, documentary, Indigenous and children’s content, as well as expand partnerships with independent production houses and creative talent, have in recent years been reversed.</p>
<p>The problem lies with a lack of governance, an inadequate, <a href="http://about.abc.net.au/how-the-abc-is-run/what-guides-us/legislative-framework/">outdated Charter</a> and the ABC’s poor relationship with the independent production sector. </p>
<p>Between 2006 and 2009, the Howard and Rudd governments increased ABC TV’s budget by almost 30%. The new funding was for additional Australian content. </p>
<p>It was provided by government in support of a clearly articulated policy-based proposal and strategy. The ABC would increase levels of Australian drama, documentary, children’s and Indigenous content. It would work productively and in partnership with the independent production sector. Finally, it would engage strategically with federal and state funding agencies to finance its expanded slate of Australian content, including outside Sydney and Melbourne.</p>
<p>The extra funding was provided in the context of Australia’s national screen policy framework. It resulted in a significant increase in the volume, diversity and quality of new Australian programs delivered to ABC TV audiences. </p>
<p>In the realm of drama, there were stories about remarkable Australians (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2112195/">Mabo</a>) and intelligent but off-beat comedy-dramas (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587000/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Rake</a>). For the first time, Australian producers and creative teams worked in the traditionally British-dominated murder-mystery genre, bringing an idiosyncratic Australian flavour to shows such as <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2375720/?ref_=nv_sr_3">The Dr Blake Mysteries</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1988386/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/167097/original/file-20170427-15117-1afsl7j.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/167097/original/file-20170427-15117-1afsl7j.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/167097/original/file-20170427-15117-1afsl7j.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/167097/original/file-20170427-15117-1afsl7j.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/167097/original/file-20170427-15117-1afsl7j.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/167097/original/file-20170427-15117-1afsl7j.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=425&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/167097/original/file-20170427-15117-1afsl7j.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=425&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/167097/original/file-20170427-15117-1afsl7j.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=425&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Essie Davis, Nathan Page, and Hugo Johnstone-Burt in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012)</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Every Cloud Productions</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>By 2012–13, the ABC was commissioning and broadcasting around 15 hours of high budget history documentaries each year. It also launched a dedicated children’s channel and increased the breadth, depth and Australianness of its children’s programming. Audiences responded positively. </p>
<p>But in the past few years, it has has become clear that this was a passing moment in the history of the ABC. </p>
<p>Beginning in 2013, before any cuts imposed by the Abbott government, the ABC started and then continued to reallocate funds provided to it by government exclusively for extra Australian adult and children’s content.</p>
<p>These changes occurred largely in a cone of silence. The ABC ultimately is not called to account over publicly taking money from government on the promise of 50% Australian content on its children’s channel, only to privately decide that 25% is enough. </p>
<p>In the area of natural history, within a few years the ABC had moved from commissioning six to eight documentary programs a year to none. Audiences flock to the ABC to discover the wonders of our flora and fauna, but when nothing is offered they have no choice but to watch another UK import. The last first release, ABC-commissioned natural history program to go to air was the three-part series Life On The Reef, which was originally broadcast almost two years ago.</p>
<p>Similarly, the ABC could bask in positive reviews for its standout Indigenous drama <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2274800/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Redfern Now</a> only to quietly shift money away from this area a few years later. In the absence of formal disclosure it is difficult to report an exact figure. But it is likely that the Indigenous commissioning budget has been reduced by at least 10%.</p>
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<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5LXxFjvV1lw?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
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<p>There is little or no consistency or transparency around the reporting of any of this. And the government has no mechanism through which it monitors or establishes requirements for the ABC’s performance in regard to its Australian content or its engagement with the independent production sector. To do so would immediately lead to a chorus of claims about infringement of the ABC’s independence.</p>
<h2>A profound disconnect</h2>
<p>A profound disconnect exists between the ABC, public policy settings around Australian screen content, and the ABC’s contribution to Australian culture and identity. Our most significant cultural institution is also vulnerable to unilateral internal change – contrary to stated government policy, and in the absence of any public discussion or review.</p>
<p>Australia has a public policy framework to ensure that Australian audiences have access to Australian programs on free-to-air and pay TV television services. This framework includes measures to develop and sustain a production and creative sector that is able to make these programs. </p>
<p>Yet the ABC, Australia’s largest and most important cultural institution, stands outside and at times fiercely rejects any association or engagement with the policy debate, the evolving policy framework and, more generally, the screen production sector.</p>
<p>Any attempt to bring the ABC into this policy paradigm is opposed by the institution itself and many of its well-meaning supporters as an encroachment on its independence.</p>
<p>To achieve its public responsibilities, the ABC requires a governance structure within which its public purpose is clearly articulated and set by government. Under this structure, certain outcomes should be clearly established and the normal high standards of public sector accountability and transparency mandated and adhered to.</p>
<p>At present, the ABC’s self-proclaimed and all-encompassing independence causes it to exist in a state of isolation, untroubled by debate about its role within the Australian broadcasting and cultural sectors.</p>
<p>The changes we are seeing in our media landscape are profound and fast moving. The ABC as a public broadcaster is in the privileged position of being able to engage actively and innovatively with this new digital landscape, free from commercial constraints. Its role as a provider of Australian stories and as a supporter of our local production sector can only grow in importance. </p>
<p>But it is operating outside of any public policy framework to ensure a commitment to Australian content and the production sector that creates it. And it has shown its disregard for this content, disdain for the production sector and disinterest for the adult and children’s audiences that like to watch Australian programs.</p>
<p>The evidence before us clearly demonstrates the need for urgent action and an agenda for change.</p>
<p><em>Kim Dalton is the author of the new Platform Paper Missing in Action: The ABC and Australia’s Screen Culture published today by <a href="https://currencyhouse.org.au/node/233">Currency House</a>. He is also addressing the Currency House Creativity and Business Breakfast on Wednesday 17 May at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney with tickets available <a href="https://currencyhouse.org.au/node/231">here</a>.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/76797/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kim Dalton is a director of December Media, producer of The Dr Blake Mysteries. He consults for screen agencies and production companies. He is Chair of the Asian Animation Summit, a director of the audio-visual collection society, Screenrights and a member of the Academic Board of NIDA.</span></em></p>The ABC is dragging its heels in providing new Australian content to audiences, due to a lack of governance, an inadequate Charter and its poor relationship with the independent production sector.Kim Dalton, Adjunct Professor School of Communication and Creative Industries, University of the Sunshine CoastLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/450932015-07-27T20:07:37Z2015-07-27T20:07:37ZABC shop closures make business sense: but where will its digital strategy lead?<p>While the ABC’s announcement of a <a href="http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/new-strategy-for-abc-retail/">“phased exit” from its portfolio of 50 ABC Shop properties</a> is an unfortunate outcome for the 300 or so employees, it’s an unsurprising strategic business move. </p>
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<p>While some were blaming the loss of $254 million government funding over the next three years - including more vocal ABC supporters complaining on Twitter about the “killing” of their ABC - the move should be seen as an extension of the ABC’s digital strategy that aligns with the shift in media consumer habits.</p>
<p>Shifting consumer shopping habits away from bricks and mortar shops and the structural move to digital consumption has created a downturn in CD, DVD and book sales for ABC Commercial which has been a drag on revenue - its most recent commercial contribution to the ABC net revenue was a <a href="http://about.abc.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ABCAnnualReport2014Accessible.pdf">lowly $1.5 million</a>.</p>
<p>Also, there is no legislative requirement for the ABC to operate in this market, which brings into question the public service media’s role of universality. This refers to the ABC’s ability to provide its Australian audience with access to goods or services, regardless of their economic or geographic circumstances. </p>
<p>The ABC will maintain an ABC online retail space, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/">ABC Shop</a> and are working with major retailers to ensure their products are still available for purchase across the country.</p>
<h2>The ABC’s digital strategy</h2>
<p>In terms of its editorial content, there has been a steady ABC progression to operate in digital spaces from its early online ABC communities and forums. Two examples of the ABC incorporating the audience into the production process include the now defunct project <a href="abc.net.au/pool">ABC Pool</a>, and its continuing sister project <a href="https://open.abc.net.au/">ABC Open</a>. </p>
<p>The ABC’s flagship of digital audience participation remains with its weekly news and current affairs program <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/">Q&A</a> that incorporates audience discussion and engagement with current affairs. The ABC also provides news and services across digital platforms such as <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/thedrum/">The Drum</a> and <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/">ABC News 24</a> amongst others. </p>
<p>Recently, the ABC has experimented with content as digital only through its scripted television comedy series <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/freshblood/">Fresh Blood</a>, which delivered content while continuing to build storytelling capacity amongst emerging Australian comedy talent.</p>
<p>The Chairman of the ABC Board of Directors, James Spigelman said in the <a href="http://about.abc.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ABCStrategicPLN2013-16FULLNEWS.pdf">2013-16 Strategic Plan</a> “Audiences are making individual decisions on what they want to consume, when and on what devices”. </p>
<p>This comment indicates the ABC’s commitment to a future digital strategy that not only uses technology for content production and consumption, but also for how it distributes material objects. For ABC Commercial, this means the media organisation are providing enabling technologies for its audience to consume content where and when they want, while saving on the expense of 50 national retail spaces.</p>
<p>Further, one recommendation from last year’s <a href="https://www.communications.gov.au/sites/g/files/net301/f/ABC_and_SBS_efficiency_report_Redacted.pdf">efficiency review</a> suggests the Australian public should <a href="http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/06/would-you-pay-for-abc-iview/">pay to stream their ABC content</a> to compensate for declining media sales. </p>
<p>However the success of iView is in part because it is free to access and shores up the claim the ABC plays a distinctive innovation role, where its R&D is shared with the media sector more broadly. Should the Australian public have to pay for the ABC’s innovation, its distinctive innovation rate would significantly decrease.</p>
<h2>Debunking claims against non-universality</h2>
<p>As with most changes to the ABC, the announced closures elicited a <a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/news/shoppers-say-moves-to-phase-out-abc-stores-a-big-mistake-with-300-jobs-on-the-line/story-fngr8gwi-1227453712319">negative public reaction</a>. Changes like these are often seen as an attack on Australian society. </p>
<p>However, these sorts of services are simply moving to an online environment: one that is available to all Australians regardless of their location and economic circumstances. Beyond the digital strategy argument, there is no requirement for the ABC to operate in the retail space as part of its legislated public service remit, or the ABC Charter. It has most likely always been an “above and beyond” gesture from Aunty.</p>
<p>This concept of <a href="http://about.abc.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2020_ABC_in_the_Digital_Age.pdf">“universality”</a> is the core public service media value that retail servicing could belong to, which is defined as an ABC that is “available to all Australians regardless of geographic or economic circumstances, and present on all delivery platforms”.</p>
<p>In the recent Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) Communications report, it notes that 92% of Australians used the internet in the six months to May 2014. In the three months to June 2014, 62% of Australians made an online purchase, and of those making purchases, 44% made an entertainment and leisure purchase in the four weeks to June 2014.</p>
<p>This data indicates the shifting approach of Australians towards their media consumption habits, and the increasing penetration rates of the internet for Australian citizens.</p>
<p>So while the ABC will continue to cop flak for its decision to close the ABC retail stores, this move aligns the corporation with consumer trends, the ABC’s broader digital strategy, and is a forward thinking strategic move to provide universal ABC services beyond its production and procurement of content alone.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/45093/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jonathon Hutchinson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>While loyal customers will be upset by the closure of ABC shops, it makes more commercial sense to go online. But where will this digital strategy lead the ABC?Jonathon Hutchinson, Lecturer in Online Media, University of SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/291662014-07-15T19:54:51Z2014-07-15T19:54:51ZCut here: reshaping the ABC<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/53863/original/m8sbfxz7-1405399481.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C304%2C3693%2C2808&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The latest cuts are hardly surprising, except perhaps in their severity.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Pedro Vezini</span></span></figcaption></figure><p><a href="http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/07/14/around-80-jobs-to-go-as-abc-rejigs-foreign-coverage/">Monday’s announcement</a> that the ABC will make 80 positions redundant is just the latest move in an enforced process of change to the public service broadcaster. It has a long way yet to run.</p>
<p>The announcement finally put the lie to <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-13/no-cuts-to-abc-claim/5451104">Tony Abbott’s election eve pledge</a>, live on national television, that there would be “no cuts to the ABC or SBS”. In concert with other recent announcements, it seems clear that public broadcasting – and in particular the ABC – is squarely in the government’s sights.</p>
<p>The cuts are hardly surprising, except perhaps in their severity. They have been on the cards since January, when <a href="http://www.minister.communications.gov.au/malcolm_turnbull/news/abc_and_sbs_efficiency_study#.U8SW6163epo">Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull appointed former Seven Network executive Peter Lewis</a> to conduct an efficiency study of the ABC and SBS. </p>
<p>Turnbull said then that the aim of the review was to find “back office savings”. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/turnbull-study-offers-an-abc-of-amalgamation-20140626-zsnfl.html">Leaks from the report</a>, handed to the Minister in June, suggest that Lewis recommended dramatic changes including selling off the ABC’s production studios, shutting down digital radio channels, charging for some iView content and co-housing the two public service broadcasters. </p>
<p>It is difficult to see how these changes, if adopted, will not affect the broadcasters’ public-facing aspects, including programming and diversity of services.</p>
<h2>Warning signs</h2>
<p>The prospect of major changes to the ABC and SBS were clearly flagged in May. </p>
<p>The first indication came with the public release of the <a href="http://www.ncoa.gov.au/report/docs/phase_one_report.pdf">National Commission of Audit’s report</a>, which recommended that the public service broadcasters: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>be independently benchmarked, both against each other and the commercial broadcasters, to determine whether it would be possible to achieve efficiencies and savings without compromising their capacity to deliver services including to remote and rural Australia.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Commission acknowledged the funding pressures facing the public broadcasters. But drawing on data from the 2013-14 <a href="http://budget.gov.au/2013-14/content/myefo/html/">Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook</a>, the Commission also graphed the “strong growth” in the ABC’s base funding, from around A$750 million in 2007-08 to around A$880 million in 2013-14. The message to Treasury was clear: “cut here”.</p>
<p>Less than a fortnight later, <a href="http://budget.gov.au/2014-15/content/bp2/html/bp2_expense-06.htm">the Treasurer announced</a> the ABC and SBS’s base funding would be reduced by A$43.5 million over four years. </p>
<p>This was not the half of it; the Budget Papers ominously prefaced the detail of the “efficiency savings” with the note that this was merely a “down payment” on the Lewis Efficiency Study. </p>
<p>In early June, in the same week he launched a Parliamentary Friends of the ABC group, the Communications Minister <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-says-abc-sbs-got-off-lightly-in-budget-and-must-cut-more-20140602-39etz.html">suggested the broadcasters had got off lightly</a>. This was but a small crumb of comfort. Turnbull indicated that deeper cuts were on the horizon, declaring that “the age of entitlement” for public service broadcasters was over. </p>
<p>The ABC was also stripped of the Australia Network international television service contract in the Budget. <a href="https://theconversation.com/scrapping-the-australia-network-affects-more-than-the-abc-26687">As I wrote at the time</a>, this will save the government A$196.8 million over the next nine years – but the real cost of the decision will be far higher. </p>
<p>Australia Network broadcasts will cease by September, although it is understood <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4045792.htm">broadcasts will continue to the Pacific for six hours a day</a>.</p>
<h2>The substance of the changes</h2>
<p>In his <a href="http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/abc-budget-response/">response to the Budget, ABC Managing Director Mark Scott said</a> the funding cuts would “regrettably and inevitably result in redundancies and a reduction in services”. </p>
<p>Monday’s announcement gave shape to that prognosis. </p>
<p>The budget for ABC International, the department of the ABC that oversees the Australia Network, will be <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4045792.htm">cut from A$35 million to A$15 million</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/eighty-jobs-to-go-at-abc-news-and-australia-network-20140714-zt6t8.html">Up to 80 staff</a> in Radio Australia, the Australia Network and the Asia Pacific News Centre – most of whom are based in Melbourne – will lose their jobs. </p>
<p>The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance is pressing the ABC not to concentrate the redundancies in ABC International, and to pursue voluntary redundancies where possible. All of the redundancies announced yesterday are understood to be non-voluntary.</p>
<h2>What’s next?</h2>
<p>Scott is also preparing to unveil a broader internal restructure of the ABC, known as Project 21, in response to the cuts to base funding.</p>
<p>Changes also loom at the level of the ABC board. </p>
<p>One position is currently vacant, and two further appointments will be made next year. Given the paramount role that the Board plays in allocating resources and formalising the <a href="http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013C00422/Html/Text#_Toc364342756">ABC’s Charter responsibilities</a>, these appointees will determine how the cuts and efficiencies will change the ABC in the longer term.</p>
<p>Earlier this month, arch conservative commentator <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/fears-federal-government-will-stack-abc-and-sbs-boards-20140704-3bdv5.html">Janet Albrechtsen and former deputy Liberal leader Neil Brown were appointed to the four-person panel</a> that will oversee the selection of new Board members. </p>
<p>The panel was established under the first Rudd government with the intention of depoliticising appointments following the Howard government’s attempts to stack the ABC board with conservative ideologues including Albrechtsen herself, Keith Windschuttle and Michael Kroger. </p>
<p>When Albrechtsen and Brown were announced as members of the nomination panel, Malcolm Turnbull quickly distanced himself from the decision. The Communications Minister is acutely aware of the signals that the announcement sends about political influence over the Board appointments. </p>
<p>But he is also supportive of the appointment of Board members who have commercial rather than broadcasting experience. And despite his confident declarations to the contrary, cuts to programming and services appear inevitable.</p>
<p>It remains unclear how the ABC will meet its Charter obligations in international broadcasting, and in the provision of digital media services in particular. The funding cuts and the new appointments will undoubtedly change the culture and practice of the ABC over time.</p>
<p>This week’s jobs announcement gives some indication of how those changes will play out – but we are yet to see how far they will go. </p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/29166/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ben Goldsmith is currently working on an Australian Research Council Linkage grant (Australian Screen Content in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education: Uses and Potential) in which the ABC is an industry partner. He does not work for the ABC.</span></em></p>Monday’s announcement that the ABC will make 80 positions redundant is just the latest move in an enforced process of change to the public service broadcaster. It has a long way yet to run. The announcement…Ben Goldsmith, Senior Research Fellow , Queensland University of TechnologyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.