Most Australians use the ABC 11th January 2002

NCE again, Neil Brown seeks to perpetuate the myth that only a minority

use the ABC.

Nearly all Australians pay for the ABC through taxes, and nearly all

of them use it regularly.

In 1990, an Australian National Opinon Poll found that 86 per cent

of all Australians used an ABC service each week.

In the July-September quarter of 2001, OzTAM figures showed that in

the five major capital cities, 94 per cent of viewers tuned inONCE again, Neil Brown seeks to perpetuate the myth that only a minority

use the ABC.

Nearly all Australians pay for the ABC through taxes, and nearly all

of them use it regularly.

In 1990, an Australian National Opinon Poll found that 86 per cent

of all Australians used an ABC service each week.

In the July-September quarter of 2001, OzTAM figures showed that in

the five major capital cities, 94 per cent of viewers tuned in to the ABC.

The ABC Charter requires it to make programs of broad popular appeal,

as well as educational programs and those for specialist audiences.

Despite occasional lapses (some of them under the Shier regime), the

ABC has generally provided a good balance between popular and

specialist programs.

DARCE CASSIDY

National Spokesperson