20 April 2000 to
Jonathon Shier
ABC Television State Current
Affairs
We read with concern Andrew
Dodd's article in The Australian 16.3.2000 regarding The 7.30 Report
and state current affairs. ABC management comments contained in the
article indicate a belief that, because the public expresses satisfaction
with The 7.30 Report, it is no longer interested in the ABC broadcasting
regular state-based current affairs, and that the matter is one of national
versus state current affairs.
Friends of the ABC organisations
active in states and territories across Australia regularly receive
feedback from the public on a wide range of matters related to the ABC.
FABC comments on specific ABC programs only in the context of wider
policy issues.
The lack of ABC television
state current affairs is frequently raised by members of the public.
People express to FABC an interest in state current affairs, and complain
that important state matters are not adequately covered on The 7.30
Report. In almost all instances when the matter is discussed, they express
an interest in quality current affairs on significant issues and events
in their own state, though not at the expense of important national
and international current affairs. FABC's experience is that ABC audiences
want state, national and international current affairs. They want them
to be regular and at an accessible time.
FABC would appreciate being
informed of the ABC's position on this matter. The community is entitled
to be informed of the reason for the low level of coverage of state
current affairs on ABC television - whether that reason be a mistaken
belief that the community is not interested in state current affairs,
or inadequate funds.
Yours sincerely
Alison Clifford
National Spokesperson