Comments on: Radio National program cuts don’t add up http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/22/radio-national-program-cuts-dont-add-up/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:14:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Susan Denholm http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/22/radio-national-program-cuts-dont-add-up/#comment-3937 Susan Denholm Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-3937 If you go down to the RN website today , your'e in for a big surprise.<br />Download a MP3 of "Religion Report" of October 15 and you will find it has been neutered, yes censored.<br />Stephen Crittendon's opening comments have been disappeared!<br /><br />Andrew's mention of Sue Howard brings back my memories of her time as presenter on ABC radio, of a music program which was most distinctive for it's utter blandness. Every track was a cover of an original; the overall theme, it was a fug of a thing. Not to forget her impossibly gutteral delivery. <br /><br />I took to calling it Sue Howard's royalty- free music show. <br /><br />More recently, there was the decision to insert Geraldine Doogue into the Saturday morning schedule, at the same time axing EarthBeat. Poor Geraldine was to anchor the whole shebang, but just got in the way. The guestbook ran hot. Somebody called it a Doogue's Breakfast, and the guest book was archived. Eventually segments retrieved their autonomy, and it became what it is today.<br /><br />Sue Howard again?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> If you go down to the RN website today , your’e in for a big surprise.
Download a MP3 of “Religion Report” of October 15 and you will find it has been neutered, yes censored.
Stephen Crittendon’s opening comments have been disappeared!

Andrew’s mention of Sue Howard brings back my memories of her time as presenter on ABC radio, of a music program which was most distinctive for it’s utter blandness. Every track was a cover of an original; the overall theme, it was a fug of a thing. Not to forget her impossibly gutteral delivery.

I took to calling it Sue Howard’s royalty- free music show.

More recently, there was the decision to insert Geraldine Doogue into the Saturday morning schedule, at the same time axing EarthBeat. Poor Geraldine was to anchor the whole shebang, but just got in the way. The guestbook ran hot. Somebody called it a Doogue’s Breakfast, and the guest book was archived. Eventually segments retrieved their autonomy, and it became what it is today.

Sue Howard again?

]]> By: Barb http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/22/radio-national-program-cuts-dont-add-up/#comment-3938 Barb Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-3938 Thankyou Andrew,<br /> What a curious muddle. It is truly depressing,especially as we were travelling interstate earlier in the year and had perforce to listen to local ABC radio. Oh save me from that. Another petty little detail for Mr Scott to consider: there are some areas without access to highspeed broadband, yes, even now. So where does that leave those of us who cherish the type of program Stephen Crittenden puts together for us?<br /> One interesting point heard yesterday: while many church leaders experessed their concern at the axing of The Religion Report, a bishop from the Sydney diocese ( did I spell that correctly?)seemed to be perfectly happy with the program's demise. Thankyou Andrew,
What a curious muddle. It is truly depressing,especially as we were travelling interstate earlier in the year and had perforce to listen to local ABC radio. Oh save me from that. Another petty little detail for Mr Scott to consider: there are some areas without access to highspeed broadband, yes, even now. So where does that leave those of us who cherish the type of program Stephen Crittenden puts together for us?
One interesting point heard yesterday: while many church leaders experessed their concern at the axing of The Religion Report, a bishop from the Sydney diocese ( did I spell that correctly?)seemed to be perfectly happy with the program’s demise.

]]> By: Martin Barrett http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/22/radio-national-program-cuts-dont-add-up/#comment-3939 Martin Barrett Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-3939 A great piece. Last Wednesday I heard Steve Crittendon's outraged denunciationof the proposed changes.<br />This morning he had vanished from his normal spot with no explanation from Radio National , an action worthy of a Stalinist regime. Radio National only has itself to blame for the intelligence of its audience. A great piece. Last Wednesday I heard Steve Crittendon’s outraged denunciationof the proposed changes.
This morning he had vanished from his normal spot with no explanation from Radio National , an action worthy of a Stalinist regime. Radio National only has itself to blame for the intelligence of its audience.

]]> By: Pete http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/22/radio-national-program-cuts-dont-add-up/#comment-3940 Pete Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-3940 I agree - thanks Andrew for your commentary. <br /><br />Its incredible that ABC mgt is asking us to buy this. I'm no Harvard MBA, but I see two problems here. First, its Radio NATIONAL; so emulating a local format is probably a bad idea. Secondly, being RADIO National, moving focus from the Radio to Online might also cause problems. Is it just me, or is this a little crazy? <br /><br />Maybe ABC mgt could explain the thinking (??) behind this. I agree - thanks Andrew for your commentary.

Its incredible that ABC mgt is asking us to buy this. I’m no Harvard MBA, but I see two problems here. First, its Radio NATIONAL; so emulating a local format is probably a bad idea. Secondly, being RADIO National, moving focus from the Radio to Online might also cause problems. Is it just me, or is this a little crazy?

Maybe ABC mgt could explain the thinking (??) behind this.

]]> By: Virginia Gawler http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/22/radio-national-program-cuts-dont-add-up/#comment-3941 Virginia Gawler Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-3941 Thank you Andrew Dodd for your excellent commentary on what's happening at RN. Why in God's name would you axe the only independent (ie non-denominational) and informed weekly religious news report in Australia? This is at a time in history when Australia has a Prime Minister who is a practising and theologically informed Anglican & a US presidential candidate, Barack Obama who is also a committed & active Christian. Religion produces some great stories! My transistor is permanently tuned to RN because I DON'T want to listen to ABC local radio. Nor do I have high speed broadband to spend my life podcasting. I want to LISTEN to thought provoking, well produced radio. Start listening to your listeners ABC management! Thank you Andrew Dodd for your excellent commentary on what’s happening at RN. Why in God’s name would you axe the only independent (ie non-denominational) and informed weekly religious news report in Australia? This is at a time in history when Australia has a Prime Minister who is a practising and theologically informed Anglican & a US presidential candidate, Barack Obama who is also a committed & active Christian. Religion produces some great stories! My transistor is permanently tuned to RN because I DON’T want to listen to ABC local radio. Nor do I have high speed broadband to spend my life podcasting. I want to LISTEN to thought provoking, well produced radio. Start listening to your listeners ABC management!

]]> By: Michele Bottroff http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/22/radio-national-program-cuts-dont-add-up/#comment-3942 Michele Bottroff Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-3942 As a Radio National listener for over twenty years..since my twenties, and in two states, if I wanted to listen to local radio I would. I don't. I have enjoyed numerous different programs over this time, the Religion Report being one. Podcasting does not cut the mustard I'm afraid, if all you want to do is pop on the radio and listen to RN in whatever part of the house/yard you're in without all the stuffing around that downloading etc involves. Not every one has a high speed broadband connection either. Cutting programs like the Relion Report in these times of fear and suspicion can only make me wonder and what a shame I can't listen to Mr Adams. I work an afternoon shift and the original & repeats are in the time I am away. As a Radio National listener for over twenty years..since my twenties, and in two states, if I wanted to listen to local radio I would. I don’t. I have enjoyed numerous different programs over this time, the Religion Report being one. Podcasting does not cut the mustard I’m afraid, if all you want to do is pop on the radio and listen to RN in whatever part of the house/yard you’re in without all the stuffing around that downloading etc involves. Not every one has a high speed broadband connection either. Cutting programs like the Relion Report in these times of fear and suspicion can only make me wonder and what a shame I can’t listen to Mr Adams. I work an afternoon shift and the original & repeats are in the time I am away.

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