On what a ‘better’ ABC might look like:
Roger Clifton writes: The ABC would very quickly sound modern by simply removing all regional British accents from the microphone. The ABC used to be the custodian of the educated Australian voice, but sometimes it echoes the world that our ancestors fled.
If our young people are to be introduced to the voices of their future, we should be hearing the accents of Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia.
Peter Le Mesurier writes: Good on you, Guy. Apart from a few bright spots recently, including Austin and Ladies in Black, the ABC’s drama programming is predictable and overly reliant on English police crime dramas. Where’s the twist? There never is one.
The ABC should be nurturing a diversity of talent, talent that is prepared to tell it like it is, not just in drama and comedy — remember once there was Aunty Jack? — but also news. Why is John Lyons’ expertise in observing foreign societies buried mid-afternoon on the news channel when it could shine on 7.30, complementing domestic coverage?
What’s the ABC been doing? Anything but nurture, exemplified by its campaign of intimidation of Antoinette Lattouf and any other presenters and journalists daring to depart, in fair narration of facts and alternative perspective, from a partisan editorial line and minimal original content set by board and management.
Phil Burnham writes: I cheered when I read the comments from Kim Williams regarding the ABC online news. It is (was?) chockers with lifestyle fluff and pieces that are really promos for a TV show or some podcast. I recently looked at the app for an update on Israel’s invasion further into Gaza and saw an article on coping with unexpected visitors as the second or third story as I scrolled down.
Guy Rundle raises other areas, and I applaud him too. ABC TV has been a very mixed bag for the last decade or so. The only comedy gold in recent years has been Fisk. And current affairs have become overblown and almost melodramatic: Four Corners is almost a parody of its former self; Nemesis, with its excellent editing and no hyperbolic commentary, was the stand-out in this category.
Radio is another problem. Background Briefing on RN is more like a radio play at times, with too many sound effects and voice-overs. Not to mention that a good 30 minute story is dragged out over six 45 minute episodes. And who decides the hosts of local radio? I won’t denigrate individuals, but it seems that intellect and deep thinking are no longer fashionable. Keep it punchy, no more than two syllables per word, pat yourself on the back on how clever you are, and play lots of promos.
Margaret Callinan writes: If the ABC were to represent me, it would need and deserve to be shut down. Likewise if it were to become a clone of commercial radio, television and online offerings.
To my mind, the ABC has two main functions. First, through news and current affairs, the ABC should impartially inform us of what is going on in the world and offer appropriate opinions, commentary and analysis by experts in their field so that we can make sense of what is happening and act accordingly. That has to include what is happening in Australia’s major cities, smallest towns and everything in between.
We can’t be united as a nation if we’re unaware of what’s going on right across the country, what our differences are and where we have things in common. Lies and “alternative realities” should not be given oxygen. Ever.
Second, in the arts and entertainment spaces the ABC should do what commercial outlets won’t. Without entirely abandoning what could be termed “popular”, it should present things that challenge, that are new and experimental, it should make space for and encourage emerging talent. In other words, the ABC should take risks, not chase ratings per se.
For all of the above, proper government funding is a must, as is the absence of government interference. Full funding doesn’t mean every production should be a big budget item. There is great virtue in learning to produce quality programs on a shoestring.
I would expect to catch glimpses of myself in the sort of ABC I describe. But I would hope to be challenged to grow by experiencing a broad range of offerings that represent all the differences that make up Australia.
Glen Davis writes: Aunty is full of fluff. I get my news now from Crikey, Pearls and Irritations, The Guardian and The Conversation. And I donate to help them prosper.
The ABC writes fair lifestyle stories, but no better than other sources. To fulfil the ABC’s charter, the hard news and analysis needs to get harder and newer.
I expect Chair Kim regrets the leak first published by The Sydney Morning Herald, but is serious about his policy comment. ABC must take a lead from Crikey and reduce the fluff to “on a lighter note”.
