Re: [Swprograms] Australia's ABC sets forth new bias guidelines

[Daniel Say <say@xxxxxx>]

		I don't think you need to worry.
		State TVs (and Radios) have been
		doing this for some time.
		This is guidelines, not a law
		with penalties.

		They had to back down for some
		comedy classifications and such.
		See the Fairfax (The Age, Melbourne;
		Sydney Morning Herald) indexes for 
		other stories and commentary about
		the ABC this week.

Subject: www.smh.com.au - ABC umbrella up ready for bias critics
X-URL: http://www.smh.com.au/text/articles/2006/10/16/1160850872592.html

                    ABC umbrella up ready for bias critics

   Date: October 17 2006  Sydney Morning Herald
   Bellinda Kontominas and Lisa Murray

   "A MASSIVE rod for our own backs." That is how the ABC's managing
   director sees the new editorial guidelines designed to eliminate
   perceptions of bias and present more diverse opinions.

   In a speech last night to the Sydney Institute, Mark Scott outlined
   the new policy which will apply to news and current affairs, as well
   as chat shows, documentaries, opinion programs and comedies.

   Mr Scott said the policy would encourage diversity "ensuring the ABC
   is the town square where debate can flourish and different voices [be]
   heard".

   Under the policy, the ABC aims to provide a range of perspectives on
   subjects across radio, television and online. It will also re-examine
   its coverage of news and current affairs and create a new role of
   director of editorial polices to ensure the new guidelines are met.

   Mr Scott announced a new program to be hosted by Jeff McMullen next
   year, called A Difference of Opinion.

   He acknowledged the difficulties. "Are we going to make mistakes? Of
   course we will. We'll never put our critics out of business, but
   through these policies, we can reduce the opportunities. In many ways,
   we're putting up umbrellas before it rains. All in all [it is] a
   massive rod for our own backs. A weapon our critics can beat us with.

   "I suspect the truth is that we are by no means as bad as our critics
   might suggest and not as blameless as our defenders might wish."
   Glenys Stradijot, a spokeswoman for Friends of the ABC, said there was
   no need for the new policy and nothing to show that the existing
   complaints mechanisms were not effective. "This looks like yet another
   measure to control ABC programming." she said.

   Labor accused the Federal Government of "bullying and intimidating"
   ABC staff to toe the Government line.

   The claim was dismissed by the Communications Minister, Helen Coonan,
   as being "dead wrong".

   The Opposition spokesman for communications, Stephen Conroy, said the
   Government was trying to push bias of the ABC board and the Government
   onto the ABC. "We question the board's need for this major change, he
   said.

   [4]Story Picture: Managing Director Mark Scott outlines new editorial
   policies at the ABC in a speech to the Sydney Institute.

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