Extract from a plea by Jonathan Holmes. (The campaign has over 65,000 signatures so far)
To the ABC Board and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull,
We call on you to protect quality investigative reporting and current affairs coverage…. (list of programs). A strong democracy requires a strong media – and if ABC current affairs coverage is axed, our politicians will face less scrutiny than ever. Don’t let our national broadcaster’s current affairs face the chopping block. (Then a request to sign the petition)
Well, Jonathan, I am glad that many thousands are signing this and trying to stop the demise of various shows. However, I believe our democracy has already been eroded by the fact that the ABC has not been diligent in providing an unbiased view of the crimes of 9-11, London 7/7 and the illegal wars that subsequently unfolded (that killed millions). And now new laws will jail journos and whistle-blowers for 10 years if they dig too deep.
Unfortunately, the Corporatocracy and right wing commentators have managed to manipulate (and limit) the range of content on the ABC. Maybe even spook the board. Although I enjoy many of the ABC programs – I wish it did truly represent all the people of Australia, but it does not. For a start the ABC presents views on a number of atrocities that are not aligned with mine – or many hundreds of thousands of Australians. And like your reports on Media Watch, they only scratch the surface and digest issues that are not too ‘dangerous’ to the status quo.
Abbott off to Rupert.
I was cc’d into an email – as was the Minister of Communications, Malcolm Turnbull – from a Barrister in Sydney. His email to a relative:
As a fan, I am sure you will do something to help those ‘helpless, mad, waste of space, overpaid, left winger revolutionaries’ at the ABC, (apols: to all shock jocks) financed totally by the good people of Australia and save the ‘Australian Bulldust Company’, who still believe the official unscientific government 9/11 conspiracy theory – and keep endorsing it, notwithstanding that it was used to invade many countries and kill a million plus.
Maybe we could send them sixpence more if they bothered to report international crime like 9/11 for a change, however on form, having failed to be fair dinkum, we should keep our sixpences in our pockets and do our own alternative reporting and observe those of the internet who we can trust. Besides, the ABC does not broadcast the cricket between Oz and those English persons……does it?
After all, for over a reported $300,000 a year we have this example of the ABC regard for a serious mass murder and a genuine Aussie’s questions – and the complaints were shafted.
Malcolm: Sell them/it to Mr Murdock? Could do well with a package deal including SBS who also won’t report impartially on the 9/11 mass murders…….so there will be no real loss in regard to very serious events being treated impartially.
It won’t make any difference if both are sold up and uncle Joe gets more money, so Tony and Julie can go back to war. Everyone is a winner!
Anyway, perhaps that Nice Mr Murdock will broadcast the General Wesley Clark- Amy Goodman interview from March 2007 when Clark exposed the pre-911 NEOCON plan to take out 7 countries in 5 years. (2 minutes I suppose, requires too much concentration for a ABC or SBS investigative journalist)
As a wise man reportedly once said; “…by their deeds thou shall know them…” In the present case; “… by their failures they have been exposed and the guilty freed….” Same result. In so many countries …………million, plus, dead!
So, no loss Malcolm, just flog both and we keep our sixpences.
B. Antcliffe.
Double Bay. Australia. Member: Lawyers for 9/11 truth
I was cc’d into another more conventional and sincere plea from an ABC watcher:
Malcolm Turnbull MP,
Dear Sir,
If you have any further plans to privatise or outsource current ABC responsibilities please reconsider. After investigating the actions and behavioiur of Rupert Murdoch (the most likely bidder) for many years I am aghast at the greed and lack of principle he has exhibited. The latest examples being in regard to his UK enterprises. It would be a rank disservice to our nation to have him or similar people able to pursue their own interests through our national broadcasting facilities.
Although, at times, both sides of politics have accused the ABC of bias, this has never been substantiated by any known inquiry, but privatisation would leave ABC adminisration open to all sorts of new pressures.
We need an independent, national broadcaster.
P. Church. Bonbeach.
Rudd and Rupert
Media and politics = CRAPTOCRACY