Radio was on the spot with detailed election coverage on the weekend, with talk radio stations mounting significant outside broadcasts from the National Tally Room in Canberra.
Radio Australia’s Graeme Dobell brought updates to international listeners from the Tally Room and ABC’s Current Affairs and News teams broadcast special coverage all evening.
Southern Cross and Macquarie Network also mounted significant OB specials with 2GB’s Alan Jones picking the outcome at ten past six and most other stations calling the result early after Tasmanian figures showed an early swing to the incumbent John Howard.
ABC Radio’s coverage continued into the next day with a special edition of AM. Opening the program, Tony Eastley told listeners:
“The politician serially rejected by his party has emerged as one of its greatest success stories, John Howard securing an historic fourth term. His Coalition will have an increased majority and there is a chance that John Howard will have control of the Senate. Pundits, even the Prime Minister, were all tipping a close election. But, as early results came in from Tasmania, the sun was setting on two Labor held seats and John Howard was on his way to becoming the second longest serving Prime Minister of Australia.”
ABC radio’s election coverage was supplemented by a strong website presence at http://www.abc.net.au/elections/ and John Laws’ site had a special pop up page detailing the campaign and 2UE campaign coverage at www.johnlaws.com.au(pictured).
This election also saw the emergence of a specialised alternative youth viewpoint through a project called Election Tracker, where young people followed the leaders in their campaigns and reported for community radio stations and a blog website.
The project was made possible through the Foundation for Young Australians, the Australian Electoral Commission, radio stations 3RRR, 2SER, Edge Radio in Hobart and 4ZZZ in Brisbane and bag manufacturer Crumpler. Election Tracker can be found online at www.electiontracker.net
US voters are being treated to similar youth radio coverage as they prepare for their election in November. See http://www.youthradio.org/election2004/index.shtml
Also interesting was the strong performance of radio people on tv. Sky News’ coverage used Nova’s Paul Murray, who was outstanding as a roving reporter. Murray also interviewed other radio personalities including 2UE/3AW’s Steve Price and 2GB’s Alan Jones. Jones’ comments were particularly perceptive, given his background as a former political insider.
Now that all the hoopla is over, radio stations will be looking out for the delivery of the promises made during the election:
More funding for community radio projects,
Progress on Digital Radio and
The expansion of ABC NewsRadio