Friends of the ABC South Australian President, Darce
Cassidy, addressed the Senate Inquiry at 11.00 am on Friday 17th March
2000. He spoke to Friends of the ABC's
national submission. Starved of essential funds by government, the
ABC is desperately seeking alternative ways to earn revenue from the
commercial sector. Information has recently come to public attention
on ABC commercial activities surrounding ABC Online.
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, drawing from and feeding back
into its radio and television operations. It is just as significant
a vehicle for information education and entertainment", says Darce Cassidy,
Friends of the ABC spokesperson.
Online must be afforded the same protection from commercial
influence as ABC radio and television. "The fundamental issue is that
the ABC was established to be independent, free from commercial pressure
and to provide services distinct from commercial broadcasters. Time
and again the Australian public has expressed its support for the independence
of its national public broadcaster. It does not want deals which are
effectively backdoor sponsorship. The community does not want the ABC
commercialised by stealth.
Australians depends 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 a powerful
company such as Telstra at the present time.
Regardless of the 'protections' it may be claimed can
be incorporated into a commercial agreement, the bottom line is that
companies pay for a service in expectation that they will have some
influence on what is produced. Further, any dependence by the ABC on
a commercial cash flow will influence its programming.
ABC independence can only be
guaranteed if the ABC is fully funded by government. Its independence
is too important to risk.