In a surprise move the ABC has axed eight specialist programs from Radio National including Media Report.The news certainly comes as a shock to me, as the show is a staple in my media consumption diet. I depend on it. Media Report is certainly essential listening for media industry professionals (or amateurs like myself) as it gives intelligent analysis of changes and developments in the media and raises awareness about critical issues in the sector that would otherwise be ignored by mainstream media.
Recently, show host Antony Funnell spoke with Deb Welsh, President of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, about the dire situation of funding in the community sector and with Patrick Malone, CEO of Australian Indigenous Communications Association, about the odd and rather annoying allocation of indigenous broadcasters in Peter Garrett’s portfolio as Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts instead of in Stephen Conroy’s portfolio.
Friends of the ABC campaign manager Glenys Stradijot slammed the decision to ditch Media Report and the other seven programs, saying “With other parts of the ABC having become more populist and lightweight, audience interest in Radio National has never been greater, nor has the community's need for quality content."
The ABC has said that the cuts are necessary to boost its online presence, passing it off as a lagged consequence of the oppressive budgets of the Howard Government. Another motive is also apparent with Radio National manager Dr Jane Connors saying Radio National's digital performance places it in a position that could give it great opportunities as a global online broadcaster.
It's a sad day for good old fashioned local content, quite interesting too since I remember it was only a few weeks ago that Antony Funnell said in passing that Radio National was moving towards hyperlocalism. Not so it seems, as The Future Report a new program focused on globalisation, and global political and economic issues will replace Media Report.
Other programs to go are The Ark, In Conversation, Perspective, Radio Eye, Religion Report, Sports Factor and Street Stories.
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