What is it with this conservative notion that everything should be reduced to the level of "the business case". The boy scout who thinks to help the old lady across the street, should he first put "the business case" before deciding to do so? We'll continue to fund the ABC because we want to, because we think its a good thing to do, there's the "business case".

OTB, with our modern society I'm sure our political system is open to negativity.
"populism driven by talking heads and lobbyists is the bane of modern government." You speak as if there are 22 of us, and not 22,000,000. How on earth are all affected by an issue going to have a say little own an equal say. Mining affects me, I want an equal say with Gina Rhinoceros, how do I get it? The notion that our representatives, represent us, is the best we can achieve. Love em' or hate em' we need politicians, and the ideal is, we need them to do the job we elect them to do. If all our politicians were "independent" it might not be very practical, but it would be wonderful. However the first thing that would happen is two of them would get together and form a political party, there goes your independence!

Thanks Foxy well put, absolutely correct. Very true with
"These are tall orders, especially if citizens are
disengaged and certain groups within the population are
marginalised."

Dear Paul,

Polls show that the mass of ordinary decent Australians have
consistently shown a high regard for the ABC. However, News Corp
and article after article in The Australian would have us
believe the contrary. And as stated earlier that's the politics
at play here. And Rupert Murdoch is going to milk that for all
it's worth. Who knows what arrangement was made with the
current government - for his support. Perhaps the destruction
of the ABC was a part and parcel of the deal.
One can only speculate.

Foxy/Paul good morning lets get this clear an event is taking place out in the open.
Facts contained in our posts and links prove that, do not fall for the baits being used here.
I fear yes honestly that Murdock's extremism is in part ruling our country.
*No news out let in our history to my knowledge has been so extreme right*.
Abbott madly feeding his new found masters fire is miss reading voters.
But too he while unpopular is *not yet confronted by an ALP that is the best it can be*
We the ALP must not let Abbott,s madness stall reform.
If we look, just at the frenzied frothing at the mouth Murdock media we should see if we care, a threat to free speech a threat to Democracy and a Hitler like attempt at a form of book burning behavior.

Dear Belly,

Well said - and as I stated earlier that's the
politics at play here as News Corp would have us
see them, the ABC, the greens and the left on one
side - and the mass of ordinary decent Australians
on the other. That argument is fake, phoney, BS.
Polls show that the mass of ordinary decent Australians
have consistently shown a high regard for
the ABC. Without ever bothering to say it, many
Australians have believed that it was (and is) indeed
"Our ABC." And it is worth fighting for. Just as education,
museums, libraries, etcetra are. Public broadcasters don't
need need to appeal to the widest possible audience.
But without them we would only get a very limited,
pointed of view being expressed.

I wounder if those who call for fences around the ABC and rewards for that *thing* Murdock understand?
While I give them their rights to their opinions and views do they understand?
The views of the Foxy,s and Bellys are honestly held? that I truly think every word written here about Murdock is true?
Life ends history carry's on in time my views will be proved right, after the death of Murdock leaks about the true controlling grub he is will come.
Democracy is strong enough for all views Murdock has no need for democracy he can not direct and control.!

Dear Belly,

We need to have independent and diverse views
in our media. Not the current extremely narrow
ones that currently are under the control of Mr
Murdoch. That's why maintaining a national
broadcaster like the ABC is so very important.