Radio National music cuts prompt community protest at ABC

A protest is being staged by a broad group of community organisations in Sydney today over concerns that the ABC is failing to meet its charter obligations.

A number of decisions by the national broadcaster to axe programming and cut the majority of its Radio National’s music schedule in 2017 has resulted in uproar from artists and audiences.

Together, members of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), Hands Off Radio National Music and ABC Friends are claiming that senior management is not genuinely listening to staff or responding to the needs of its audiences.

“Despite gleaning close to 23,000 signatures on our petition, and statements from some of Australia’s most prominent philanthropists, artists and organisations (including Janet Holmes à Court, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Archie Roach, Music Australia & APRA/AMCOS), ABC senior management has failed to acknowledge the devastating blow they have delivered to Australia’s music culture and diversity as a result of these cuts, made without industry or artist consultation,” Hands Off RN Music spokesperson Ruth Hazelton said.

“We believe management is using the digital strategy as a smokescreen for crude cost-cutting. It has drastically underestimated community outrage, yet seems impervious to the ensuing loss of support from passionate listeners.”

Hazelton added, in reference to the national broadcaster’s decision to end shortwave transmission in the Northern Territory: “Similarly, Senior Management has failed to acknowledge the impact this decision has had on rural and regional audiences with its premature reliance on digital formats. 

“We believe management is using the digital strategy as a smokescreen for crude cost-cutting. It has drastically underestimated community outrage, yet seems impervious to the ensuing loss of support from passionate listeners. These are serious issues that need to be addressed at a Board level.”

The broadcaster is also coming under fire after it engaged a third party for the provision of the newly reinstated ABC Fact Checking Unit after closing the unit last year due to budget cuts. While the restoration of the unit is welcomed by the protesters, concerns are being raised over the methods taken to restore the initiative. 

CPSU’s ABC Section Secretary Sinddy Ealy said, “Australians know and trust the ABC to provide quality news and current affairs, but that trust is at considerable risk as the ABC goes down the path of relying on outside organisations to fund and produce content.”

Pushing for a genuine commitment to public broadcasting, the protesters are urging the ABC Board to not sign off on Managing Director Michelle Guthrie’s restructure plans until they are sure that the ABC Executive has done their due diligence including properly consulting with affected community stakeholders and staff.