Friends press on for public broadcaster

ACROSS Australia, groups of volunteers are advocating for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Called ABC Friends, they try to support the ABC to have sufficient funding and resources so the public broadcaster can fulfil its charter.

Maureen MacPhail is part of the ABC Friends Ballarat group which has 1000 members in the district.

She said the last six years has seen 1000 ABC staffers lose their jobs, while programs were cut completely, including Lateline in October of 2017.

The corporation’s budget has decreased by almost 30 per cent in more recent years, despite rural, regional and metropolitan communities depending on it in periods of crisis.

“The ABC has increased the number of platforms on which it broadcasts, and has done a lot of emergency work over the fire season and the COVID shutdown,” she said.

“Many people have been asking about the ABC as they have relied on accurate and objective reporting.

“Life would not be the same without the ABC which is unfortunately facing the impact of further budget cuts. We’re trying to let the public know the situation.”

Working through the pandemic, the “hardworking” ABC Friends Ballarat steering Committee have been meeting via Zoom, with ABC Ballarat chief of staff, Prue Bentley popping in as a guest speaker last Monday.

“She talked about the importance of regional broadcasting, and also the efforts the ABC is making to ensure they’re covering the interests of people across the age groups, including children and young people,” Mrs MacPhail said.

While getting together virtually, the committee have also been coordinating their next letter writing campaign.

“People are putting together information that will help our members write to politicians and decision makers about the needs of the ABC and its current situation.

“They need a little information about the ABC history and its charter… The budget the ABC has to fulfil that charter, and the recent shortfall and reduction of budget,” Mrs MacPhail said.

“It was eight cents a day from taxpayers to run the ABC, but current funding means that we’re really at four cents a day, so resources have diminished despite multiple new platforms.”

Anyone interested in advocating for the ABC, writing a letter, or becoming a member can contact Mrs MacPhail.

“I can include anyone in any further mail-outs or meetings. We’re very keen to expand, and welcome new members who feel like they’d like to write letters or be guest speakers at local clubs, when restrictions ease and we’re allowed to do that again,” she said.

The committee is curating a speakers’ kit, so that any member asked to speak about the needs of the ABC will have the correct information at their fingertips.

Contact Maureen MacPhail to get involved on [email protected] or 0476 247 870.