Chris bases his reasons for privatising the ABC on the idea that many object to paying for it. He very selectively implies that it is used by only one in five. Each week it is used by a much higher proportion than that ! Many who don't use commercial media also object to paying so much for those too. If privatising the ABC meant a higher cost for the same service, (and it probably would), then we are worse off. If it's the nature of the service that worries him, then maybe it's time to legislate for all electronic content to be financed directly by subscription, or other user pays models. The technology exists and the abolition of all "free to air" (euphemism extrordinaire) would be welcomed by many. If I could opt out of indirectly paying for electronic advertising on radio & TV, I suspect I could well afford a substantial subscription to a much better ABC. ABC TV has now been so degraded I no longer use it, nor the commercials.
But I still pay for them all.
PS If the remaining bits of high quality Radio National content disappear, then we're completely stuffed.

Whilst we're watching the games the Howard Govt is continuing on strongly in the background selling out what tiny hope we have left for independence in our media.

Did anyone see Helen Coonan on late line the other night?... she seemed to have trouble convincing herself that the new media laws the Govt propose for Australia will be better for the Aussie National Interest let alone us the voters.

But what are the Democrats saying about the proposed media ownership laws

http://www.democrats.org.au/news/index.htm?press_id=5041&display=1

And Labor

http://www.alp.org.au/media/0306/msrd210.php

The multi-millionaire media barons will soon decide what you hear, see and read in this democracy and Little Johnny is selling out the National Interest for his own political agenda once again.

At a time whe the Commonwealth Games are taking attention, this is taking place alongside the AWB scandal, and the most extreme Industrial Relations legislation in Australian history.

This of course has not been intentional at all, now we can see why the rush was on to get workchoices through the senate without scuritny, timing is a precious commodity, by the time the ordinary employee finds out what has hit them, the only reaction will be to vote the liberals out at the next federal election.

Shonga you are correct Aussies have way too much to divert their attentions away from the failings of this Government and the Opposition and the Govt is loving every minute of the diversions.

Just some of the things that have come out in the last few days :

Liberal Factionalism

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2006/s1598492.htm

AWB

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18575532-29277,00.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1594202.htm

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18561922-29277,00.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1598365.htm

The Govt is winning Gold Gold Gold for untruths, "I know nothing", misleading parliament, diversionary tactics. Ah that's a strong democracy for you!

Next we'll be deporting Australian citizens.... OOps I forgot we already have!

Opinionated 2,
Yes anything goes in this brave new world of "the new right" but please don't speak too loudly, sedition laws are in place...shhhhh!

Actually I am impressed with the media at the moment regarding the Cole enquiry.

news.com have created a whole thread covering it in detail

The threads at http://www.news.com.au/index/0,10121,37435,00.html

The only thing missing is the comments from the smaller parties like the Democrats

http://www.democrats.org.au/news/index.htm?press_id=5045&display=1

It is all interesting reading and it helps to create confidence in what our forefathers wanted ... an honest democracy where the States are properly represented in the Senate.