The ABC is the only thing worth watching
Richard Davoren writes: Re. “Beecher: we must ask tough questions about the ABC” (Monday). If there was no ABC, I would not watch television. I subscribe to Crikey and listen and watch ABC because I want to get an independent slant on the news and not be fed the crap that flows from the commercial channels. I am not interested in the commercials that endlessly flog services and garbage I do not want.
Both these organisations, the ABC and Crikey, have moved to the Right. The ABC board and its management have been stacked with the government’s right-wing cronies and this will get worse. Now after reading Eric Beecher’s article I understand what is happening to Crikey.
The real question is why does commercial television exist? To entertain, to promote Australian talent, to air the political views of its owners or to make money. The later two seem to overwhelm. Remove the ABC, and we further dumb down the Australian population.
Do we need to amend the ABC act?
Pat Kirkman writes: Re. “The ABC debate: game shows and drama not part of the ABC Act” (yesterday). Just a thought — now that the government has chosen to close down overseas broadcasting in the Asian region does this not mean the charter, in the act will have to be amended as this service is part of the ABC charter? Or have I missed something?
Beecher completely wrong on the ABC
Paul Montgomery writes: Re. “The ABC debate: why Beecher and Crikey fear the ABC” (Tuesday). I was so pleased to read David Salter’s superb put-down to Eric Beecher’s (and indeed Crikey’s) strange demands on the previous day that the ABC needs to somehow justify itself in the new media landscape.
As Salter so eloquently pointed out, the ABC continues to be rated the most trusted media organisation in Australia by a breathtaking margin. Of course to avid consumers of news and current affairs, the trust approval figures are all the more interesting when comparisons are made with News Corporation’s dismal figures. They are in fact the least trusted media organisation.
On the face of it, one organisation is doing something right, while the other spectacularly wrong. Could it be however, News could not care less for these namby-pamby “trust” ratings — it is more likely perceived influence over spineless politicians and business leaders to push News’s agenda that is more important to them.
Surely the ABC’s audience satisfaction numbers and radio/TV ratings across the nation speak for themselves. I would suggest it can safely ignore Beecher’s patronising lecturing, who, in this context, seems more intent on doing News’ bidding.
I stopped reading Richard Davoren’s comment at the risible ‘Crikey has moved to the right’.
I stopped reading Richard Davoren’s comment at the ‘risible’. Why pompously choose a singular bon mot that I have to look up to be au fait with in your egocentric critique? Right wing dickhead.
I stopped reading Mark Duffett’s comment at the ‘risible’. Why pompously choose a singular bon mot that I have to look up to be au fait with in your egocentric critique? Right wing dickhead.
That’s a bit rich coming from someone employing two phrases originating not merely outside the minimum required for functional literacy, but beyond the English language altogether.
Better avoid Bernard Keane too then Steve, his usage of the ‘r’ word is not infrequent.