Campaign to save the ABC grows

By Virginia Brown

PERTH — Following the Howard government's announcement of funding cuts to the national broadcaster, ABC staff from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the Community and Public Sector Union and supporters organised a rally in Forrest Place on August 1.

Despite bursts of rain, up to 800 people turned out to hear speakers warn that the cuts would jeopardise orchestras and ABC radio and television programs. The independence of the ABC would be compromised as advertising and sponsorship became necessary.

ABC staff members talked optimistically about the high level of community support. They told Green Left Weekly that the campaign would last for five to six months, with weekly actions. "If an MP is making a speech, if there's a sporting event, we'll be out there protesting. There's also the possibility of linking up with other unions and groups affected by the budget."

CPSU delegate and Perth Democratic Socialist Party secretary Ana Kailis told Green Left that the cuts would "affect rural areas disproportionately".

A save the ABC public meeting will be held on August 12, 7.30pm at the Fremantle Town Hall. Friends of the ABC can be contacted on (09) 325 3695.

Alex Bainbridge reports from Newcastle that 100 people attended a meeting organised by Friends of the ABC on July 31. After a 15-minute address by the chair, the meeting was opened up to contributions from the floor.

Many spoke of the ABC's supposedly "unbiased" and "objective" character (it took ALP parliamentarian Peter Morris to point out that the ABC had some deficiencies). There was a unanimous view that it was important to maintain a national broadcaster which is partially free from the straitjacket of a commercial, profits-first agenda.

Many argued that saving the ABC would require more than a letter-writing campaign. However, Lord Mayor Greg Heys' offer to organise further actions against all the government's cuts was not officially supported. Resolutions were passed calling on the government to maintain and increase funding to the ABC, to expand services to the Hunter Valley and to keep the ABC free from commercial sponsorship.

Contact Friends of the ABC at PO Box 1065, Newcastle 2300.

In Sydney as Green Left Weekly goes to press on August 4, up to 20,000 people have rallied against cuts to the ABC.

From GLW issue 241