With regard to bias, commercial broadcasters aren't subject to any scrutiny.

Maybe this is a little unfair, considering that we also pay to run them as well as the ABC. (At much more than $800 million per year).

There are constant accusations of left-wing bias at the ABC but where is the condemnation of the extremist "shock-jocks" on commercial radio for example?

It's also interesting that the ALP also complains about the ABC when they are in power.

If both sides of politics are complaining then the ABC must be doing it's job correctly.

Just tell the Government to keep their grubby hands off auntie, or "we'll rip your ploody arms off". The concern is not just changing an honourable and independend biass to your right wing pro-Howard biass, is that also the Government directly interfering with the everyday workings of the ABC. The old "gentleman's" agreement between the party was to keep an arms distance, and keep the voice of the people independent. Your conspiracy theory says members of the old board being "Marxist" is just that. A conspiracy theory. They were infact an independent body.

Now we have a Soviet style Pradva media. In English, this means "truth". This problem is, Australians still think that the ABC still has independence without being bullied by the Governement. This is simply a sad lie now. We now don't have auntie, we have "Pravda": the truth. In Russia, the work became so rediculous, no one believed that "Pravda" was the truth. The truth was the way their media allowed their dictator brainwash them into a numb disenguagement to any sense of reality at all.

This does not show strong Government, it shows a weak Government desperate in a war economy to "win the hearts and minds" of it own people. On you black motor bike Auntie Jack, ride and kick their ass. We need the guardian of the independent Australian voice, not appointed by Government.

The ABC is a "People's Enterprise"! The Government fulfills its role by providing for the overall people's needs.

The ABC has a responsibility under its charter to present all viewpoints. Whether those viewpoints favour the Government or not is irrelevant, afterall, not all of us have the Government's viewpoint, do we?

All the Government should ever ask is that there is a fair balance of opinion being represented; to that end it is fair to expect that a presenter maintain impartiality, what more could the Government ask?

While the ABC fulfills such obligations, leave it alone!

I think this is a great move. So now on the ABC board we've got Steven Skala representing the CIS, Ron Brunton representing the IPA, Janet Albrechtsen for News Corporation and the IPA, Peter Hurley representing pubs, John Gallagher also representing pubs, Murray Green representing the senior ABC execs, and now Windschuttle nicely balancing the mix, representing Quadrant, New Criterion and the good old CIS. We've ditched the staff rep as well (wouldn't want too many Bolshies on the board). Perfect.

I can't wait to see a united board attacking entrenched left-wing bias at the ABC. After all, most of Australia is left-wing compared to this lot.

Happy viewing to you all.

Once the ABC had guest books and forums where everyone could air their complaints,grievances and sometimes, very funny jokes.
Then aunty sniffed and with a scented tissue held against her dainty nostrils, despatched the said guest books and forums to the Devil.
She substituted "HEALTHY MESSAGE BOARDS" so censored and monitored that they have atrophied through sheer lack of interest.
Possibly the intention in the first place.
I think this was the work of the left leaners....or the right leaners.
Who ever! May they get grit where it hurts.It is against our freedom of speech and it is wrong.

A democracy requires an independant media outlet.

I strongly object to the recent appointments of such neo-lib people like windschuttle.

Windschuttle has his own interpretation on history and it is very biased. He is a controversial figure.

I would like to know what it is that this government wants to achieve by putting people like him and his ilk on the board.

I note that Chris Abood is very clear about his desire to see ABC sold off. (He is honest about this as his articles and affiliations are readily available online.)http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/author.asp?id=3822http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=4268

Objectivity and independent reporting of the news would then rely on the moral and fiscal whims of the media barons.

Happy days - we will be treated with even greater contempt than we are now.