More money, or less freedom: Kim Williams’ news equation

Kim Williams has been the ABC’s chair for one year, and he marked the occasion yesterday with a grim warning about the state of journalism and a plea for more funding for the national broadcaster.

Despite the national broadcaster’s base funding being increased last year, Williams said in real terms it is more than $150 million per annum less than it was in 2013, and that Australia invests 40% less per person in public broadcasting than the average “for a comparable set” of 20 democratic countries.

In the year 2000, funding for the ABC comprised 0.31% of national outlay, compared to 0.12% in 2025, which Williams said must also stretch further in the era of digital content.