A funding reduction of $150 million annually over the last decade has significantly affected the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'s output. The broadcaster's chair, Kim Williams, acknowledged at the National Press Club that the funding cuts have led to a decline in drama, children's programming, documentaries, and regional coverage. She also admitted that the ABC's coverage of Australian culture has deteriorated due to the need for increased digital services and reduced funding.
A funding reduction of $150m each year over the past decade has taken a “very real toll” on the ABC ’s output – especially in drama, children’s programming, documentaries and regional coverage, the broadcaster’s chair, Kim Williams, has told the National Press Club.
Williams made an impassioned plea for the ABC to be properly funded as a bulwark against the profound damage to society from misinformation, disinformation and “downright lies”. He said Australia invests about 40% less per person in public broadcasting than the average for a comparable set of 20 OECD democracies.
He said the decision not to renew Sarah Macdonald’s contract as presenter of ABC Radio Sydney’s Mornings program was a normal part of renewal in media. The sacking last week was met with“That decision is a management decision, and I fully support our management in making relevant decisions as to the direction and content of the services that the ABC provides,” he said. “So yes, I do support that decision. I do support the notion of refreshment in the various services that the ABC offers.
“Content development and programming in documentaries, science, religion and ethics, drama, and sporting diversity, including more recently women’s sports, have also declined.”
ABC Funding Cuts Broadcast Quality Drama Children's Programming
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