Antinuclear

Abbott’s Australia – the land of cover-ups and secrecy?

The ABC is uniquely placed.. because it is not beholden to commercial interests. Rather than leading the day’s news with a story about Justin Bieber, because that will generate the largest audience, Aunty tells people what they need to know.

Cover up and secrecy in Abbott’s Australia, Aljazeera,  PM pans ‘unpatriotic’ national broadcaster for holding govt accountable to its electorate  Fiona Broom,   7 Feb 14, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has something in common with Egypt’s military government – he expects the government-funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation to be a cheerleader for the country and decries the reporting of stories which portray Australia negatively.

But while the Egyptian government has jailed Al Jazeera journalists  for making Egypt look bad, Abbott has to find other methods of curtailing criticism.

The ABC recently published allegations by asylum seekers who attempted to enter Australia by boat that they were physically abused by Navy personnel who towed or turned their boat back to Indonesia.

Last week, Abbott, leader of the Liberal party, accused the national broadcaster, affectionately known as “Aunty”, of being unpatriotic. Foreign Minister and deputy leader Julie Bishop also suggested the ABC was failing to live up to its charter, which she wrongly says requires it to promote Australia.

This was quickly followed by the announcement of an “efficiency review” into ABC operations and fellow government-funded channel the Special Broadcasting Service.

While the stations’ editorial policies and quality of broadcasts are off limits to the review, it is clearly retaliation for questioning the government and forcing it to be accountable to its electorate.

Abbott vs Aunty

This is the latest in a series of government attacks on the ABC, the strongest news organisation in Australia which best scrutinises governments. All governments, not just right-wing ones, such as Abbott’s…..

Moves to cut Aunty’s budget would displease the 85 percent of Australians who think the ABC as a whole provides a valuable service to the community. A strong media that questions, analyses and criticises government failings and abuses is a benefit to Australia, not something that goes against the national interest.

The ABC is uniquely placed to do this because it is not beholden to commercial interests. Rather than leading the day’s news with a story about Justin Bieber, because that will generate the largest audience, Aunty tells people what they need to know.

If the government wants Australia to be seen favourably by the international community, it could start by acting compassionately towards the displaced and dispossesed. Or, at the very least, not jailing those who risk their lives trying to reach Australia’s shores…http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/02/cover-up-secrecy-abbott-australi-20142211104776886.html

February 8, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, media