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Quarterly Newsletter: Winter 2001, Vol.3 No.2

Cuts to staff in ABC library and archives

An ABC memo announced in early April that 101 positions in areas such as the sound and videotape libraries and document archives would be cut to 71.

Management says that the restructure is to streamline the archives and library as part of the transfer of television studios from Gore Hill to Ultimo.

"We're ensuring the library is set up as effectively and efficiently as possible for a converging media environment going forward." ABC's director of content rights management, Robyn Watts.

But staff remained unconvinced. Dr Jane Connors, executive producer of the social history unit at Radio National, said there had been no consultation with staff who worked in the archives or those who referred to them."The archives are so significant to the ABC one would expect views to be widely canvassed before this announcement was made," she said.

Dr Connors said the ABC's archives dated back to the 19th century. "We have the rarest and most valuable material about every aspect of Australian life and there are gems and treasures all the way through it. There is the sound of Australia in the 20th century in that archive. I am horrified this decision will jeopardise the access of the public to this collection."

The national preservation co-ordinator for ABC TV, Ms Caitlin Hickie, said the changes were severe. "There will be no preservation section as such in the new structure, there will be a couple of positions responsible for the collection's development and selection."

CYNTHIA BANHAM SMH 16/4/01

Telling our stories

At the end of our invigorating national conference in Adelaide, chairperson Penny Wright suggested an activity which was to remind us why we have, most of us, spent so many years of our lives fighting for the integrity of this unique organisation. Penny asked everyone to spend a few minutes sharing with the group why they felt so strongly.

Everyone had their own story of programs that had closely touched their own lives. One of us came close to tears as she described Radio National as part of her family.

It seemed we have all been with the ABC since childhood or arriving in Australia, but no-one could match Peter Shorne who recalls listening in 1932 and credits his education to the ABC. Adam praised JJJ with Heywire and Unearthed and spoke of how they connect with people of his generation.

'Constant friend and companion', 'deeply moving story': these words came up time and time again. Some recollections were of stories heard years before. Our chairperson confessed to having no less than 13 radios around the house, all tuned to the ABC.

If our representatives in Parliament could have listened in to this session they might begin to understand the passion that people feel for the organisation they, the MPs, have no compunction in running down.

The ABC tells our stories. It unites and defines us as a people. As the Charter puts it: its function is [to broadcast] programs] that contribute to a sense of national identity, to inform and entertain, and reflect the cultural diversity of the Australian community.

Which it does, when it is allowed to, brilliantly.

We love our Radio National

In the limited space of just two weeks, Radio National received 7,600 responses to its invitation to comment on the network's programs. Recently appointed RN head Mark Collier was reportedly overwhelmed by the response.

"The passion of listeners has really bowled me over," he said. "We are still reading and analysing responses, but it seems a large proportion is from rural and regional areas ... and letters came from truck drivers, prisoners, people living in caravan parks, people in their 20s, retirees, solicitors, dentists, school teachers. That is significant as we are often accused of catering to an elite audience."

Programs that were singled out for mention were: Background Briefing, Australia Talks Back, Life Matters, The Science Show, Late Night Live, The Comfort Zone and the newly introduced Saturday Night Drama.

Gladys

Apologises for the absence of her column in this issue. It isn't just that she can't find much humour in the news at present - states' needs required a smaller edition this time. She will return.