24.3.00 to Donald
McDonald, Chairman ABC Board
ABC Telstra Deal
Friends of the ABC is seriously
concerned that ABC efforts to earn revenue from the commercial sector,
such as the ABC-Telstra deal revealed recently in the print media, will
compromise the ABC's independence.
Australians depend on the
independence of their national broadcaster. It is in the public's interest
that the ABC is able to report fully, without fear or favour, on the
activities of powerful companies, such as Telstra which provides an
important service to our community.
ABC independence depends
on its separation from government and private business interests. The
truth of this does not change simply because the medium for delivering
the information is different. ABC Online is an integrated part of the
ABC, according to the 'One ABC' concept. It draws from and feeds back
into radio and television operations, and is just as significant a vehicle
for information, education and entertainment. Clearly, Online must be
afforded the same protection from commercial influence as ABC radio
and television.
It has been claimed that
the ABC's editorial guidelines provide protection when entering into
business agreements. However, commercial reality is that companies pay
for a service in expectation that they will have some influence on what
is produced. In practice, it would simply not be possible for the arm
of the ABC which produces material to be unaffected by the arm of the
ABC which negotiates to sell it commercially, and the head which needs
to ensure the corporation's financial survival.
There are serious problems
which arise from the ABC seeking to replace declining government funds
with income from the business sector:
The ABC was established to
be independent, free from commercial pressure, and to provide services
distinct from commercial broadcasters. The integrity of our national
broadcaster depends on its independence. Time and again the Australian
public has expressed its support for the independence of its national
public broadcaster. The community does not want deals which are effectively
backdoor sponsorship. It does not want the ABC commercialised by stealth.
The ABC's independence is
too important to risk. Friends of the ABC strongly urges the ABC Board
not to proceed with the proposed deal with Telstra which we believe
has the potential to undermine ABC independence. Given the secretive
nature of such commercial transactions, FABC believes that the ABC should
not proceed with any contracts for the sale of ABC online content until
there has been consultation with the community and the issues surrounding
this matter have been fully considered by the Senate Committee Inquiry
into ABC Material Online.
ABC independence can only
be guaranteed if the ABC is fully funded by government. As caretaker
of a major institution in Australian life, the ABC Board has a responsibility
to take up the real issue from which the ABC's need for funds arises
- adequate government funding. In doing this, it will have the overwhelming
support of the community. We look forward to receiving your response
to the matters we have raised.
Yours sincerely
Alison Clifford
National
Spokesperson
Friends
of the ABC's submission to the
Parliamentary Inquiry into ABC Material Online