The importance of an independent public broadcaster

Commercial broadcasters are primarily motivated by profit. The profit motive gives them a strong incentive to manipulate or at least selectively report news and information. For example, it is not in their commercial interests to report anything that might conflict with the interests of their advertising clients. There is also an incentive to produce programs aimed at expanding viewer numbers rather than promoting the national interest.

This is why Australia needs an independent public broadcaster. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) was established with a Charter that defined its role. The Charter defines the role of the Corporation to be a source of independent broadcasting services that entertains, educates, promotes the arts and promotes a sense of national identity.

Every year, the ABC conducts a survey called the ABC Appreciation Survey to measure the levels of confidence and trust of the public in the ABC. The 2005 survey found that:

• Nine in ten Australians think the ABC provides a valuable service to the community (consistent with previous years' surveys).
• Eight in ten Australians think the quality of ABC television programs is good, compared with four out of ten for commercial television.
• Across a variety of news and current affairs programs, about nine in ten viewers thought the ABC was doing a good job being balanced and even-handed.

The Friends of the ABC ask you to consider the future of the ABC as an independent public broadcaster when you vote in the 2007 Federal Election. We do not advocate a vote for any particular party or candidate. Instead, we aim to give you information about the Federal Government's record on supporting and maintaining the ABC as its role was intended and outline some of the alternative policies of other political parties. We have written to candidates for information on their policies and will update this site as information is received.

If you love your ABC and care for its future as much as we do, then please read and consider what we have to say, and think about it when you go to vote. To read more, select one of the following topics:

Authorised by Melissa Sharpe, 821 Huon Road, Fern Tree, Tasmania, 7054.