Need for the ABC to fill the gap in North Queensland 28 Feb 2002

Following the decision of some commercial broadcasters to withdraw local television news from North Queensland, the ABC has commissioned an independent survey to gauge demand in North Queensland for a local television news service from the ABC.

Foreshadowing a request for additional funds from the government, the ABC's Acting Managing Director, Russell Balding, said this week that any request for additional funds from the government "should be based on sound information and audience demand".

Friends of the ABC National Spokesperson, Darce Cassidy, welcomed the ABC initiative today. " In recent years there has been a significant increase in networking, both in radio and television", Commercial broadcasters, responsible to their shareholders, have found networking from major centres cheaper. While the ABC has demonstrated a strong commitment to localism in radio, the national broadcaster's record in television has not been so good. This proposal from the ABC is therefore very welcome."

The ABC has pointed out that it has a local radio operation in Townsville, a strong news gathering presence and an infrastructure that could be easily converted to run a TV news service. Mr Cassidy added "If the survey does reveal a demand for an ABC local television news in North Queensland, this will be an important test for the National Party. With its credibility already damaged in parts of its heartland, failure to persuade its coalition partner to finance his modest proposal will do further damage."

…ends

Further comment:

Darce Cassidy
National Spokesperson, Friends of the ABC