Friends concerned for the future of Radio National 7 March 2004

The Friends of the ABC are greatly disturbed at reports that ABC's Radio National's axing was to be discussed by ABC Management over the next two months,' Ms Margaret O'Connor, Friends of the ABC Spokesperson said today.(7 March 2004)

'We are also concerned about reported descriptions of Radio National as 'boring'.

'Radio National is anything but. It is the jewel in the crown of Australian Public Broadcasting, beloved of Australians from Manangatang to Mosman. Its very dedicated staff produce wonderful specialist programming, on a shoestring budget, in a marvellous fulfilment of the ABC Charter requirements. These state that the responsibility of the Corporation as an independent national broadcasting service is to provide a balance between broadcasting programs of wide appeal and those that explore more specialized subjects. '

'The Friends have consistently argued that the ABC is not currently adequately funded to a level which enables it to fulfil these requirements. Its funding has progressively declined over more than 15 years under different Governments, to a level such that a 2001 study by the Macquarie Bank found that the ABC's per capita revenue was the second lowest of eighteen other comparable international Public Broadcasters. '

'However, the Friends sincerely hope that this particular cost-saving measure as reported by the Sun Herald is not seriously being considered by ABC Management. If Radio National was ever axed, a huge public backlash would ensue.'

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For more information, please call Margaret O'Connor on 02 6208 4633 (work) or 0422 975 848 (mobile, after hours)