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Listening to the Richard Glover show on 2BL (it's still the registered callsign according to the ACMA), 28-04-2021, 1800-1815, in addition to describing the trauma suffered during the massacre at Beslan and the appreciation of other broadcast personnel accompanying Mr Williams as not only technical support but moral support.
It made me think of other journalists who never returned home such as Mr Tony Joyce who was murdered in Zambia in 1980 in the course of reporting, ref: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/joyce-anthony-walter-10649 and https://www.abc.net.au/corp/memorial/tonyjoyce.htm .
That is the risk of being an international journalist: the risk of death, the risk of trauma a close shave:
Some journalists are within millimetres of dying due to a stray bullet lodging near a critical artery, references, https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jun/15/abc-journalist-adam-harvey-hit-in-neck-by-stray-bullet-while-reporting-in-philippines, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-15/adam-harvey-hit-in-neck-by-bullet-in-philippines/8621290 and https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-01/journalist-adam-harvey-recounts-being-shot-and-following-ordeal/8748408 .
There is another issue that retirement of Mr Williams. We take journalists like Mr Williams for granted, like turning on or off the light switch. They'll be there forever. Then there comes a time to retire.
In addition, we should appreciate the role journalists play in being the eyes and ears to Australians on overseas events.
Moreover with the sizes of newsrooms particularly on commercial radio and TV diminishing, we cannot rely on commercial broadcasters reporting on the spot. The US and UK are not the only news centres.
Currently, India and South America are experiencing another wave of covid infections. Thirty years ago, Macquarie News had a correspondent in New Delhi, India, Mr Raja Gupta. I doubt there's anyone from commercial radio with their own reporters.
Ironically, it is the commentators on commercial radio who criticise the ABC such they want it closed, reduced in size or put on subscription. Perhaps they are valid statements.
Then, if the ABC is closed, reduced in size or put on subscription, will commercial media come to the fore and send journalists to report in non-US and non-UK zones?
Methinks not. That's why we need credible reporting from providers such as the ABC.
News is a public good not a privilege. Commercial media is downsizing and is unlikely to send journalists.
Media organisations cannot rely on external providers of news services. Remember the threat of AAP closing down?
Our ABC is our modern "town cryer", our modern version of the colonial "Gazette", published by Authority.
Thank you,
Anthony of exciting, dynamic Belfield