The jockeying and lobbying over the government’s proposed media reforms is reaching peak intensity as we speak. Many eyes have naturally turned to the votes of Pauline Hanson and her parliamentary colleagues. So here’s a tip: the Hansonites will be flexible on supporting the key planks of the government’s proposed changes — the reach rule and the two-out-of-three ownership limits (two of TV, radio or newspapers in a single market) — in return for a quid pro quo. And what might that be? Splitting the ABC into two separately run parts, metro and regional, in order to deliver more funding and commitment to the ABC in regional Australia and splitting it off from the lefties in Ultimo. That might seem far-fetched, unless of course the idea garnered support from another crucial political force like the National Party (which is already open to rather robust interventions to ensure the ABC covers the regions).
Hanson demands ABC split?
The government is negotiating with the crossbenchers over reform to media law, but they won't agree without something in return.
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I thought the ABC already covered regions better than the commercial channels and stations. Gotta be suspicious of this, don’t fiddle with the ABC. Already miss The Drum online.
Well we already knew she was a complete ratbag. There should be no deals do0ne with her.
Ms Hanson probably ran a very good fish and chip shop. She can dance. Mr Roberts may well have been alright at running a mine, I don’t know. He certainly has half baked notions about science. One thing is for sure, they are not qualified to interfere in the running of the one of our most trusted institutions, the ABC. We don’t want it messed with any more by people who don’t understand it. It isn’t perfect, nothing is, but it’s a heck of a lot better than most of the alternatives. Please don’t flirt with these people. They could do so much damage to our country. By all means, do more for regional ABC. That’s all good. But no more attacking Auntie. It’s unAustralian.