Exit interview: Mark Scott on digital innovation, media maelstroms and the future of the ABC
ABC managing director Mark Scott steps down this week after a decade which has left the public broadcaster transformed. He spoke to Nic Christensen about leading that change, dealing with critics ‘hijacking’ the conversation and the lessons commercial media can learn from Aunty.
“I do regret the public discourse on the ABC,” says outgoing managing director, Mark Scott, as we begin the interview.
After 10 years in the role Scott is in a reflective mood and appears eager to admit that he is also slightly perplexed at why, at times, under his stewardship the ABC has been so hammered by sections of the press.
“We still have overwhelming public popularity – 85% of the public believe we provide a valuable or very valuable service. But I suppose my question is if you followed the media commentary there seems to have been a disproportionate focus and commentary on 2% of programming.
Incredible:
He has learned nothing about the ABC’s problems during his stint there. Indeed, he fails to even acknowledge them.
Good riddance.
The word Mr. Scott is BIAS, you allowed the ABC to be hijacked by the left, you bused people in from left supporting suburbs for your Q&A programme, confirming in many viewers eyes your support of one side of politics. Many of us would not mind of the government halved you funding, as you only talk to half the nation.
It still does address the issues of “everyone’s” ABC becoming totally eastcoast focused with all the money spent there on exorbitant executive salaries for the ‘stars’ while regional stations and networks and the really credible ABC workers continue to subsist on average wages that are close to exploitation. Still one set of rules for the rich and another for the workers at dear old Aunty – appalling.
@Wonka. You clearly do not understand politics. I am guessing that you are part of the pitch fork, rooting tootiing, ‘believe whatever is written in the Terrorgraph’ brigade. Y9ou probably use the term ‘leftist’ too. Oh dear.
(I am central btw.)
@Wonka
Whilst you probably live your life cursing the likes of Rudd and Gillard for being ‘loony lefties’, you might be surprised to see that their party (and indeed they) are certainly right of centre:
http://www.politicalcompass.org/aus2013
Oh Dear, that has nothing to do with bias on the ABC, you live your life basking in a false Utopia. Scott oversaw the most radical shift in bias on a publicly owned national media in its history, his legacy is a medium that does not run on impartiality, as its charter says it should.
Scott is a political player rather than a manager. He played to the unions at Fairfax and at the ABC, knowing that they could provide favourable breezes at his back. He claims great digital results yet the ABC web sites drew editorial staff into opinionated content that has infected their work. And the streaming platform is not at all a best of breed. Radio’s diversity and expertise has suffered together with the local news across the nation that has been its hallmark.
Finally you might say that some recent drama has been good, but it is also true that abc tv has a totally boring excess of poor comedy and bbc cast off.
Scott was lucky to get the job. I’m hoping his successor will get stuck in to the basic quality issues and value for money. But I’m not holding my breath.
@Wonka
You are either ignorant or you are choosing to tow a particular line. What threat do you perceive from a media outlet that reports facts, backed up with evidence? When people mention the word ‘science’, does it send a shiver down your spine?