Government to undertake ‘competitive neutrality inquiry’ into ABC in exchange for One Nation’s support of media reforms
One Nation senators are giving ‘conditional’ support to the media reform bill, as it locks in a deal with the Turnbull government which includes a ‘competitive neutrality inquiry’ into the ABC, and $12m in funding for community radio.
The existing government package – which includes licence fee relief for commercial television and radio broadcasters, restrictions on gambling advertising during live sporting events, and the abolishment of the two-out-of-three ownership and 75% reach rules – passed in the House of Representatives in late June, but has stalled in the Senate.
About time too. When thousands of Australian businesses in various media pay their 28-30% taxes, which fund the ABC, which in turn cannibalise their businesses, it’s offensive, unethical and insupportable.
The ABC can fulfil all of its statutory obligations without attacking those who fund its behemoth-like presence. If not, then it may pay a heavy price when they organise against it.
The ABC can only cannibalise your media outlet if you are not providing what the public want. In regards to news – if you want ambulance chasing and traffic accidents tune into 7, 9 or 10. If you want anger then read News Limited papers or listen to 2GB. If you want non-stop ads – listen to Talking Lifestyle. If you want local, national and international news tune into the ABC. Simple.
Like all dictators Pauline wants to shut down the media to hide us from the truth.
Any concept of the ABC ‘cannibalising’ the commercial FTAs is idiocy.
The ABC’s charter is – in lose terms – to do what the commercial channels don’t do.
For example they HAVE to broadcast to the entire Australian footprint no matter what the cost. They HAVE to do it without any advertising revenue or sponsorship. They HAVE to provide local news services to all Australians. They HAVE to tailor content such as rural reporting. They HAVE to carry religious content. They HAVE to utilise all electronic media – TV, radio and internet.
And on every one of those criteria they shine.
Only alt-right brownshirts would think to the contrary. If you don’t like the ABC then please leave.
This is purely a vendetta that One Nation is waging against the ABC,
and the “competitive neutrality inquiry” will be nothing more than a Witch hunt used by the Commercial networks and the Murdoch Press to devoid the ABC of as much content (content that the public would never see on 7,9 or 10) as possible including shutting down Iview because it’s to successful, that’s their end game.
I totally agree with one nation party to much money is spent on a very leftist tv station should be much much more centre field I have stopped viewings the ABC as have many of my friends.