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The Forum > Article Comments > Democratise and federalise 'Our ABC' > Comments

Democratise and federalise 'Our ABC' : Comments

By Jai Martinkovits, published 31/1/2014

Research indicates that the typical ABC journalist's political beliefs are well to the left of the general population. A recent survey found that over 40% support the Greens.

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Hi Alan,

Thanks for taking the time to consider my thoughts on dealing with what many perceive as biased reporting from the ABC.

The research I refer to, which was conducted in the first half of 2012, was conducted by a senior academic at the University of the Sunshine Coast and a summary of the findings can be found here:

http://theconversation.com/whose-views-skew-the-news-media-chiefs-ready-to-vote-out-labor-while-reporters-lean-left-13995

I was primarily interested in the findings concerning the ABC, but it suggests that journalists generally are far to the left of the general population.

It's only short coming is that it was a small sample size of ABC staff, but I expect quite indicative of a what could be expected if the sample had been larger. Of course that is purely an educated guess.

Regards,

Jai
Posted by Jai Martinkovits, Friday, 31 January 2014 2:36:28 PM
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And how do you ensure balance?? There is a number of ABC "reporters/commentators" that could be labeled "right wing".
Posted by lockhartlofty, Friday, 31 January 2014 2:46:18 PM
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Dear onthebeach,

To make the story more unbelievable one of them is coming over next Friday, to join a few other unbelievable types including a one (if he gets off his arse this time) who was quite senior in the Age's finance department for many years, for a card night.

Frankly I will not care how imaginary they are as long as their money is real.

But did you have anything to say on the topic of the ABC or did you just drop in for a dig?
Posted by SteeleRedux, Friday, 31 January 2014 2:47:11 PM
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Fortunately the intellectual capacity of ABC journalists is well above that of the average citizen.

Anyone capable of clear, analytical, thinking would find problems with the views expressed by David Flint or any of his disciples. They probably thing that Adam Smith was an advocate of markets dominated by large corporations. Smith's butcher, baker and brewer in a village is a far cry from the present situation.

The comment made earlier on the Koch brothers and the dopey tea party members is very much to the point.

I have tried to encourage people commenting on this type of article on this site to do some pertinent reading. I suggested the speech by Dr Stephanie Kelton, Chair (Dean) of the Economics Department, UMKC and a few other blogs at neweconomicperspectives.org. They might also learn from the book The Entrepreneurial State written by Professor Mariana Mazzucato of the University of Surrey.
Posted by Foyle, Friday, 31 January 2014 2:47:41 PM
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Jardine K. Jardine

I disagree, public broadcasting is a classic case of a public good, which the market will not provide efficiently, especially for high-quality and specialist programs. Commercial TV does not make money selling programs to audiences, but by selling audiences to advertisers. In this instance, there is no “market” for me to pay for high-quality news, documentaries and current affairs progammes that the ABC, for all its bias and peculiarities, does far better than the commercial channels (or, even better, buys from the BBC!).

The ABC could do with some reform, but I don’t think it should be sold or closed.

As to those who think that ABC journalists’ left-wing bias reflects their superior intelligence, it is interesting to note that the occupation groups most likely to vote Labor are overwhelmingly unskilled or semi-skilled:

http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/party-vote-by-professions-december-2012-201306140318
Posted by Rhian, Friday, 31 January 2014 3:20:48 PM
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The original business case for establishing the ABC was pertinent way back then, but could it make a similar case now where there are so many sources of news, information, culture and whatever? The Net is widespread and accessible.

What about the SBS?

Is it absolutely necessary to maintain two publicly-funded national broadcasters with all of the duplicated management overheads and infrastructure?

SBS seems to have sorted its funding and it doesn't recycle as many BBC programs. Why not combine the ABC with the SBS? Where the public is continually being asked to tighten belts and user-pays is the rule not the exception, why shouldn't the two publicly-funded national broadcasters be doing their bit?

Two separate entities is stretching it.

In any event the public is sick to death of so much politics and 'current affairs' shows on Aunty.
Posted by onthebeach, Friday, 31 January 2014 3:30:52 PM
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