Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has released details of hundreds of submissions received in the government’s review of the ABC and SBS. In the ABC’s own submission, the national broadcaster repeats some key plans, previously set out in its triennial funding submission and rejects the idea of sharing transmission technology and infrastructure with SBS. The ABC’s expansion plans for the digital future include: a desire for 12 digital radio channels; expansion of regional radio centres to incorporate increased broadband activity, the setting up of a broadband content production fund; and the expansion of its tv output from two to four channels.

Addressing the idea of combining elements of the ABC and SBS transmission, the submission says:

In a paper released in the lead-up to the Australia 2020 Summit, the Special Broadcasting
Service (SBS) proposed that the ABC and SBS examine whether efficiencies might be found
through the formation of a jointly-owned shared services company that would manage
common elements of broadcasting technology and infrastructure, such as transmission and
distribution services.

The ABC and SBS formed a working group to evaluate this proposal. Unfortunately, the
working group concluded that, as a result of the ways in which the two organisations’
contracts with their transmission services provider are structured, there are few, if any,
efficiencies to be gained from merging the services highlighted in the SBS paper.

However, the ABC believes that in a multi-channel, multi-platform environment, there is
clear scope for achieving operating efficiencies across the two national broadcasters while
ensuring the continuation of their unique and separate identities. This question is worthy of
further investigation.

The ABC says Australia will achieve a “digital dividend” from in the additional services that digital technology
makes possible and the enrichment that it brings to all Australians. Realising that dividend will require
additional investment in new content and services that audiences will value, as it is these
that will drive the take-up of digital television, radio and broadband.

In its submission the ABC argues that Australia has a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to fully realise the public benefits made
possible by this emerging digital environment.” It says the ABC is a critical component of that
realisation.

On the topic of going digital in its television and radio services the submission argues that, because it does not have a commercial imperative, the ABC and SBS can drive take up of digital radios and tvs by providing more programming:

The national broadcasters have a central role in encouraging the adoption of digital
television and radio in Australia. A key driver of the take-up of new digital platforms is the
availability of channels and content unavailable on analog services. However, as evidence
from massively-multi-channelled markets overseas suggests, any increase in channel choices
will lead to a fragmentation of audiences for individual channels. This break-up of mass
audiences is likely to have a profound effect on commercial media organisations that depend
on aggregating mass audiences in order to sell air-time to advertisers. By comparison, the
ABC is not subject to these pressures and is thus able to encourage digital conversion by
offering additional services within the limits of its funding.

The Corporation has been a constant leader in the conversion to digital television and radio…
the ABC has been an active participant in the development of digital
radio in Australia, convening the first industry conference on the topic in 1991 and actively
participating in technology trials since 1999. The Corporation was part of the technical
working group that secured international acceptance of the DAB+ standard, which employs
more efficient audio compression and will be used for digital radio transmissions in
Australia and overseas.

The ABC is seeking to continue and expand this leadership role. Its Triennial Funding
Submission proposes to Government that the Corporation be funded to provide content for
two additional digital television channels – a children’s channel, ABC3, and a public affairs
channel, ABC4, as well as a suite of up to 12 digital radio channels. These new services
would provide Australian audiences with additional choice and encourage take-up of digital
radio and television.

Public submissions supporting the ABC ranged from the supportive to the syncophantic and to those critical of various elements of radio and tv content. The recently axed Radio National programs also drew a significant number of protests. Many public submissions supported the corporations call for more funding.

The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Public Sector Union (CPSU) submissions support better funding and largely agree with the corporation’s management agenda as set out in its funding documents:

Australia’s national public broadcasters have struggled with insufficient funds for more than a decade
in what has been a rapidly changing media landscape. The ABC operates three television networks, six
radio networks and one of the largest suites of online services in Australia’s media on an annual budget
less than that available to any of the commercial free to air television broadcasters with whom it
competes for audiences. It is not, therefore, surprising that sacrifices have been made – seen most
starkly in its inability to produce and broadcast the same levels of first-release Australian drama
programs as its commercial free-to-air competitors… with such strong support for Australian programming on the ABC, what needs addressing is
enhanced funding in line with the Labor Party commitment made in 2007.

Whilst the CPSU agrees with much of ABC
management’s future agenda, we are wary of the continued thinning of resources.
We imagine a better ABC, one that is funded adequately to deliver on the immense
opportunities available to us as the digital era unfolds.

Commercial Radio Australia also supports a well funded non commercial ABC and limited advertising on SBS in line with organisational charters:

CRA recognises and supports the important role played by the ABC and SBS in
implementing and promoting new media platforms and technologies.

However, CRA urges the Government to ensure that the use of digital technology to
broadcast radio does not erode the advertising prohibition in the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation Act 1983 (ABC Act).

CRA further urges the Government to ensure that the limit of five minutes of advertising
per hour in the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 (SBS Act) is maintained,
irrespective of whether broadcasting takes place through traditional or new technology
platforms.

The funding models for the national broadcasters take into account their inability freely to
seek advertising revenue. National broadcasters should not be permitted to obtain
additional revenue through advertising on new broadcast platforms…

No form of advertising – including links to sites containing commercial material,
should be permitted on new technology platforms, including the ABC website and
mobile phones.

It would be manifestly unfair if the national broadcasters were allowed – through the back
door of new broadcast platforms – to obtain additional revenue through advertising,
when their Government funding is allocated on the basis that no such revenue is
generated. Such an imbalance would unfairly disadvantage the commercial radio sector.

The Country Women’s Association echoed the views of many regional listeners and viewers in its submission, saying:

Our perspective is of course from our country and rural members who see
the ABC in all its forms as being vital to their community.

This is a national asset owned by the people and for the people.

It is important that a high quality of journalism and presentation be
maintained. It was rewarding to see the dominance of the ABC in the recent
2008 Walkley Awards. It is also important that there be no bias in the
reporting. Some feel that occasionally a degree of political bias does creep in
and this is in fact very unprofessional on the part of the presenter.

In times of emergencies it is the local ABC radio that gives reports on the
danger in situations such as bushfires and floods, as was the case so recently
in Tamworth. In that instance residents were given local important phone
numbers and sources of sand bags pick up. The commodity, stock and
produce sales results and weather forecasts are most necessary for country
people not just for interest but as part of their business and livelihood
planning. Landline is an institution for country and city people alike – it is a
wonderful bridge.

Annie Nielsen from the Parramatta Friends of the ABC group summed up similar views from many state based ‘Friends’ submissions when she said:

The ABC is vital to give Australians unbiased information on all current affairs issues that affect Australia and also to inform people about what is happening overseas. The ABC also must give unbiased information about environmental issues. To be able to do all that is required of it, the funding to the ABC must be increased. They function on a shoestring and more funding is essential. There has been a reduction in quality due to the funding not keeping up with inflation and in fact being cut…

The ABC is crucial to people in the country, some of whom can’t access other media. They need the information provided by the ABC such as rural business advice, weather forecasting and just general keeping up to date.

Radio National keeps me informed of issues that are not heard on any other medium. Radio National shouldn’t try to appeal to young people as they have JJJ and local radio. The programs that are due to be cut should be kept, especially the 8.30am programs. The current audience enjoys these programs and deserve to have them continue.

It is really important to keep the ABC without advertisements and independent. There is no equivalent radio and TV in the US and I believe many thousands of people access many of our good quality programs from the internet. If necessary I would pay a fee to keep the quality that we have.

Other submissions include:

wotnews.com.au, which says:

Having worked closely with the ABC for some months wotnews has developed a strong impression for the passion, focus and strategic objectives of the ABC with respect to the online medium. It is clear to us that the ABC is working hard to extend its reach and relevance to audiences via the online channel in line with its original mandate as outlined in the discussion paper. The ABC representative we are working are continually thinking creatively to innovate new information offerings for its huge audience… We would encourage the government to appropriately fund both the ABC and SBS long into the future so they can continue to innovate content offerings and experiences.

An unnamed Radio Listener who says:

The national broadcasters ABC and SBS are a key part of my life. I have stopped purchasing yesterday’s news in newspapers in favor of TV and especially radio. Interesting things I hear on the radio, are followed up on the internet, sometimes using broadcaster’s websites as a starting point. During a week I listen to News Radio, Radio National, Local Radio and ABC Classic FM. I also watch ABC TV and SBS TV. Only sometimes do I listen to JJJ, but other family members listen…. Ensure the ABC continues to be ad free, and limit the amount of “messages” and promotions it runs between programmes.. The national broadcasters are able to go beyond the commercial imperative to reach the widest audience at all times and to constantly push the values of consumerism. The national broadcasters offer a richness and quality which is all too often compromised in commercial broadcasting.

And objections from a submission by Concerned listeners & viewers saying:

We are greatly concerned that a number of programs that tackle contemporary issues with a balanced view and in a bit more depth than the usual such as The Religious Report or the Media Review are being suppressed from our ABC radio programs. In fact we believe that this is totally unjustifiable and undemocratic at a time when the Australian public should be encouraged to pursue self education and open mindness. Highly disapointed listeners.

View the ABC’s full submission at the link below.