Comments on: Latham still struggling to learn his ABC

By: RV

RV — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:45:45 +0000

Well said, Glenn.

By: Neil

Neil — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:29:00 +0000

There would seem to merit in Latham’s idea. After all, the ABC has gradually canned much of its programming that might be deemed “public interest” and has increasingly headed in a direction that is purely about ratings. In fact the government might well find in a future media environment that all of the ABC’s efforts are more effective in privately produced sources.
The ABC doesn’t actually own much of what it broadcasts. In fact it commissions very little and, lately, nothing much of distinction.
Latham accurately nails Mark Scott, whose speeches are beginning to accumulate into a script for some one talented (styled perhaps after The Office?).
The ABC money could properly go to a version of the Australia Council more squarely in the assessment and funding style orginally intended. Perhaps, then, we might get some bang for the buck. A huge dividend from new media technology and maybe a few strong Australian scripts?

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:05:37 +0000

Bit harsh on Latham. You say he doesn’t understand economics and business, yet he does have a Bachelors degree in Economics from the University of Sydney. There is plenty to say about him, but ignorance of the economy is probably not one of them.
As for ABC being privatised, I think it’s a good idea. The government has no place in the media business. To be spending $833 million taxpayer dollars a year on a TV channel (another 50 million on a kids channel to come) in today’s world of internet access and pay tv (which already has the ability to provide programming for niche audiences) is a huge waste of money, especially when health care and education need dollars.
With the rise of digital television and the NBN, competition in the media will grow, not reduce. Deregulating the media industry is going to happen (if we can finally get a decent communications minister). They should privatise sooner rather than later and be allowed to profit or perish. I’d buy shares in them.