ABC's Independence
Threatened
5.7.99
The Federal Government
will soon announce further appointments to the Board which governs one
of Australia's most important disseminators of culture and information,
the ABC.
The ABC is an independent
statutory authority, legally required to operate at arms-length from
government. The broadcaster's integrity lies in its independence - from
commercial and political influence. One important consequence of the
ABC's independence is its ability to scrutinise impartially the activities
of government.
If the Government
continues to appoint political allies to the ABC Board, the ABC is in
danger of losing its independence. And there is a serious risk of this
valuable institution becoming a political football for all future governments.
The very survival of the ABC, as we know it, is in jeopardy if people
who have interests contrary to the ABC's robust future are appointed
to its Board.
FABC urges Prime
Minister Howard to heed his own words to the Parliament in 1983, that
"More than ever before Australia needs an independent, fearless, professional
Australian Broadcasting Corporation" ... and that ... "in appointing
new commissioners to the ABC, they will in fact be people who will act
without fear or favour ...".
The ABC Board should
reflect the diversity in the Australian community. Selection should
be on the basis of merit - ability and willingness to contribute to
and enhance the operations of the ABC. A prerequisite for appointment
must be a commitment to the Charter which governs the ABC, to the healthy
maintenance of an independent and comprehensive ABC.
Penny Wright
National Spokesperson