Welcome to the Friends of the ABC in NSW
The Price Of Creative Independence At The ABC
By Quentin Dempster
Traditional or digital? After the recent controversy over Radio National, Quentin Dempster argues that the ABC's future is bright — but only if it sticks to its high standards... [more]
Imagine a better ABC
Well resourced - a sanctuary for quality, diversity and Australian content - a partner in the education revolution - a reliable source of news and current affairs. Make it real by sending a submission to the Federal Government Review... [more]
Changes to Radio National in 2009
ABC Media Release
Proposed changes to ABC Radio National programming in 2009 is causing concern amongst many Radio National listeners. For the ABC Media Release announcing the changes... [here]
Stephen Crittenden's view of the changes
The Religion Report, Media Report, Radio Eye are amongst the programs that will not be broadcast next year on Radio National. Stephen Crittenden (host of the Religion Report) discussed this in the intro to a recent program. You can hear it here as an Mp3 file (from crikey.com.au).
"ABC radio cuts draw a religious sermon"
By Kelly Burke Consumer Affairs Reporter -
Sydney Morning Herald 22/10/2008
Australia's Catholic bishops have added their voice to mounting criticisms of the ABC's decision to axe its flagship weekly radio religious affairs program... [more]
"Crittenden off air after outburst"
ABC News: Posted Tue 21/10/2008
ABC management told Stephen Crittenden yesterday he would not be allowed on air... [more]
"ABC suspends top presenter"
By Jen Rosenberg - Sydney Morning Herald 21/10/2008
The presenter of ABC's Religion Report, Stephen Crittenden, has been suspended on full pay pending an inquiry into comments he made about the axing of flagship programs on Radio National... [more]
"Broadcaster tunes in to technological change"
By
Michael Bodey and Michael Sainsbury - The Australian 18/10/2008
The surprise axing of nine programs from the ABC's niche network Radio National this week has sent the dial spinning... [more]
"The dumbing down of Radio National"
By Andrew Dodd - Crikey.com.au 16/10/2008
As Fairfax loses its way, Radio National had been cementing its place as one of the very last refuges for civility and fresh inquiry in the ... [more]
Senate questions axing of Religion Report
The Senate today supported a motion from Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown that calls on ABC management to reveal the criticisms and reasons behind the decision to axe the Religion Report, Media Report and other flagship Radio National programs... [more]
Friends of the ABC Letters
Reaction to the proposed changes has been fast and numerous. For a selection of letters... [here]
Write to...
For key addresses... [here]
For more articles & letters... FABC ACT website
Do the Radio National Website Survey ...[here]
New ABC Board Appointment Process Announced
Staff-elected Director to be appointed
Government calls for submissions on ABC
The Rudd Government today announced a public consultation and new board appointment processes to ensure the future strength and independence of Australia’s national broadcasters... more
Towards a Digital Future - Have your say!
ABC Managing Director Mark Scott today encouraged ABC audiences to have their say on the future of the ABC and the role of public broadcasting in Australia.
...more
The ABC - 2012 and Beyond
In an address to the National Press Club the ABC Managing Director Mark Scott said it was the ABC's priority to vastly increase the amount of content available to Australian audiences through digital television and radio, and high-speed broadband leading up to 2012 and beyond. His address may be downloaded... [here]
FABC Cowper Updates No5
The Cowper Branch of the Friends of the ABC produce 'Cowper Updates' read the latest ... [here] 2MBs 12 pps
Say no to ads on any ABC content
"Here we go again. The reported plan by ABC Commercial to solicit revenue through advertising wrapped around ABC video and other content licensed to broadband mobile phones should be rejected", writes Quentin Dempster in the Australian... read more
Petition the ABC Board!
Let your voice be heard in a petition to the ABC Board, which is currently being organised by our related organisation Friends of the ABC (Victoria) Inc. This petition neatly summarises a number of issues which are of concern to many of the ABC viewing and listening audience. Get your friends to sign, and mail the signed forms direct to FABC Victoria at the postal address shown at the bottom of each form, which may be downloaded [here]
One or more signatures would suffice, but the more petitioners the better!
Write and lobby your political representatives!
With ABC Triennial Funding submissions for May 2009 currently being received, NOW is the time to write and lobby your political representatives for a better funding deal as noted [here] and [here]
To the Prime Minister of Australia. It's Time, Mr Rudd
All across the many and varied electorates of this wide, brown land, Australians value and respect their ABC, and as repeated poll results have told us, the ABC is right at the top of the list of our most trusted sources of information and entertainment. [more]
A word from the President
It's time, members of Friends of the ABC, to show our elected representatives that we are passionate about our ABC. [more]
Action on the 2009 Budget - How you can support the ABC
A timetable for action in the lead-up to the next crucial round of Federal Government funding for the ABC . [more]
Your ABC and our Kids need You!
An Action Plan for all Members
Write a letter to your representatives in
Parliament asking for a dedicated,
commercial-free Kids TV channel to be
funded in the ABC's next budget (May
2009).. [more]
Letter from the Office of Senator. The Hon Stephen Conroy
Letter from the Office of Senator. The Hon Stephen Conroy [more]
Reported closure or sale of ABC Shops
I am assured by the ABC that there are no plans either to close or the sell ABC Shops. Apparently the press reports, including the rumoured sale to Dymocks, are totally erroneous. [more]
Digital Radio Broadcasts
The ABC will commence digital radio services in the first half of 2009. [more]
ABC Board vacancies to stay vacant for the time being!
The Australian government would not fill two soon-to-be vacant positions on the ABC Board, until it could establish a fair, merit based appointment process, according to the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy. [more]
ABC cleans up in Couch Potato Awards
Each year the critics who write for the SMH Guide nominate the best TV productions in a number of categories. In the 2007 Awards, ABC shows won 12 of the 17 awards. [more]
Congratulations to ABC Walkley Award Winners
NSW Friends of the ABC congratulates the following ABC staff journalists and presenters who have won 2007 Walkley Awards.
Once again, the ABC has led the way in outstanding broadcasting. [more]
The Friends of the ABC NSW Award for Excellence in Broadcasting for 2007 goes to Robyn Williams and the Radio National Science Show
Producer and presenter of The Science Show since its launch in August 1975, Robyn has given 32 years of outstanding and distinguished service to both the ABC and the listening public of Australia. Working within very limited financial resources, Robyn has, over those 32 years, provided us with a program of a consistently high standard, often controversial, always entertaining, and of interest to both the scientist and layperson. [more]
Your ABC: proudly brought to you by your sponsors?
“This service, the ABC, now belongs to you. We are your trustees. It is a service that is not run for profit, but purely in the interests of every section of the community.” [more]
Please do not Commercialise the ABC
On 2nd May our President Mal Hewitt wrote to Mark Scott, Managing Director of the ABC, expressing our shared concern:
Dear Mr Scott,
Please do not Commercialise the ABC [more]
Are you in a Rural or Regional Area?
If you are a Friend of the ABC in a rural or regional area, there are pages on this site listing the locations and contact details for both NSW regional branches and FABC Branches in other states.
Please make yourself known to the contact person for the group. The larger the group, the more effective you can be, and the lighter the load for each member. Some of the branches also have their own web site or web page on this site.
