The changes to the ABC Charter were one of a very few positive outcomes in the recent debate/debacle on media reform. The ALP and Coalition voted together to reject the Greens’ amendments that sought to support home-grown producers and artists by doubling Australian content hours. We were also disappointed that the old parties voted against the protection of journalists from powerful owners, and ensuring that people treated unfairly by the media can access justice and to prevent further concentration of media ownership in Australia.
While Community TV gained additional digital spectrum, the sector is starved of funds to actually put locally relevant content on the air.
Will you help ensure the upcoming budget supports the community media sector?
In Australia 22,000 volunteers work in community media. Community TV reaches 3.7 million Australians and community radio reaches 4.4 million Australians, with more than 70% of community stations located in rural, regional and remote areas.
The government provides just 8.5% of the income for average radio stations and no ongoing support for community TV.
Community digital radio services urgently need $1.4 million to continue their services to the Indigenous, ethnic, youth, educational, the vision impaired, religious, and arts and cultural communities.
Thanks again for supporting our ABC.
Best wishes,
Scott Ludlam
PS You might also be interested in this video of a ‘post-mortem on journalism reform’ that Scott did with the head of the press council and Jonathan Holmes held at Melbourne Uni on 10 April 2013