LaborNET Sites |
 |
|
|
Govt gags Govt gags at ABC
Date: 20 October 2006
ABC staff campaigning for better pay and conditions are holding the line, despite pressure from another bias witch-hunt sweeping the national broadcaster.
Managing Director Mark Scott has buckled to the Government-stacked board,
introducing new 'anti-bias' editorial guidelines.
This comes as ABC staff struggle to produce high quality local content, despite
chronic underfunding and pay rates well behind the private sector.
The widening pay gap is making it harder for the broadcaster to attract and
retain talent, unions claim.
Unions report strong public support for ABC staff's industrial campaign, many
recognising the disruption as a small price to pay to secure decent pay and
conditions for staff.
This week's rolling stoppages are set to continue next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the phony war hunting Aunty's phantom reds continues.
Conservative critics have long regarded the ABC as a hotbed of left-wing bias,
despite numerous internal and external investigations that have given the
national broadcaster a clean bill of health.
In an echo of the Soviet-era, the new editorial regime will be led by the
Orwellian 'Director of Editorial Policies', who will enforce 'impartiality of
opinion' across all network content, such as television and local radio.
According to CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones, staff are being dragged into
the Howard Government's "increasingly hysterical" culture wars.
"ABC employees pride themselves on their professionalism, enthusiasm and
integrity, with surveys showing more than 80% of Australians value the job they
do," Jones told Workers Online.
"This latest round of Government-inspired bullying further threatens the
independence of the ABC," he said.
"Does this mean Communications Minister Helen Coonan will vet every gag on The
Glasshouse before it goes to air? Just because people laugh at what you say
doesn't make you a comedian."
It's unlikely that James Packer's new best friend had any input in this week's
episode of the current affairs program with a satirical edge.
A favourite target of the stone throwers of the right, The Glasshouse team
responded the only way they know how.
"To all those Liberal voters that want more ALP jokes, you know what you have to
do," said host Wil Anderson.
"Vote 1: Kim Beazley. I've got a whole can of fat jokes, I'm just waiting to
open the lid," Anderson said.
In a segment mocking tomorrow's newspaper headlines, 'The Herald Tribune' had
the final say.
"ABC response to claims of bias: Liberal and Labour both equally f****ed."
Messages of support your.abc@cpsu.org.au
More information:
http://www.cpsu.org.au/campaigns/ABC/
For further information
|
