Recommendations
Audience Research - Regional Areas
Recommendation R1/2/00 — Director Program & Content Development
The ABC Advisory Council notes the important market research the ABC has conducted. This includes for example the survey of radio network’s performance across five capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide) for the period 27 December 1999 to 11 March 2000. However, Council believes in the following:
A need for regular audience research throughout Australia, including regional and remote Australia and the ACT.
The inclusion of Hobart in the city surveys.
Notes that the Northern Territory has not had any market research for several years and that this is a constraint on effective programming.
Steven Mavrigiannakis
Francesca Beddie
Current Affairs - Information Programs
Recommendation R2/2/00 - Director of News and Current Affairs
The ABC Advisory Council wishes to note widespread concern about the future of current affairs on ABC Television. In considers, particularly after community consultations in Alice Springs, that the ABC has a responsibility to present discussions on current affairs which place the news in context and assist viewers in their understanding of contemporary events, as ABC Radio currently does. It has comments on the following programs:
Lateline - it is regrettable that the original format of Lateline has been changed. In depth discussion is what distinguished the program from other late night news programs.
Late Night Live - the ABC Advisory Council received representations in support of the retention of Late Night Live and its presenter. The ABC Advisory Council believes that Late Night Live makes an important contribution to Australia’s intellectual life. It does, however, consider that there are occasions when Adam’s’ personal political views overwhelm the content.
The ABC Advisory Council hopes that its views will be taken into account during this period of restructuring of news, current affairs and information programming.
Steven Mavrgiannakis
Francesca Beddie
Extension of Services - News Radio and Triple J
Recommendation R3/2/00 - Director of Radio
The ABC Advisory Council recommends that all Australians should have the opportunity to access NewsRadio and Triple J. Feedback indicates that these services would be appreciated in rural areas
Lorna Condie
Katie Biggs
Programs for Young Audiences
Recommendation R4/2/00 - Director Program & Content Development, Director of Radio, Director of Television and Director of News & Current Affairs
The ABC Advisory Council has received positive feedback from young people regarding television programs such as The Full Kombi, Triple J Unearthed, and the Four Corners reports, Hitting Material and The Killer of Thurston High. However, we feel that because these programs timeslots don’t usually contain issues of interest to young people and many of these audience members were unaware that these shows would be of interest to them. The ABC Advisory Council recommends better targeted promotion of these types of shows so that young people do not miss them.
Charlotte Samiec
Ryan Honschooten
Something in the Air
Recommendation R5/2/00 - Director of Television and Director Program & Content Development
The ABC Advisory Council notes that Something in the Air is increasing in popularity, but many young people find it hard to relate to the "young" characters portrayed on the show. Feedback from consultations in Alice Springs suggest support for an Indigenous character. The ABC Advisory Council constantly receives requests for repeats of Heartbreak High. Could this be considered for 6pm then young audiences may stay on for Something in the Air.
Nicholas Moraitis
Charlotte Samiec
Commendations
Thomson of Arnhem Land
The ABC Advisory Council commends the makers and scheduler’s of Thomson of Arnhem Land. This documentary told the remarkable story of an anthropologist lacking the prejudices of his time, and exposed viewers via compelling archival footage to a little known part of our history and geography. It also successfully resonated with contemporary issues.
Four Corners
The ABC Advisory Council commends Four Corners for the broadcast of "Hitting Material" and "The Killer of Thurston High". The former was an insightful examination of deep homophobia in rural Australia, the latter a powerful documentary exploring youth depression and gun culture in America. Both were relevant to and indeed greatly appreciated by a teenage audience.
Axemen
The ABC Advisory Council congratulates Varcha Sidwell, Local TV Tasmania and her staff for having produced Axemen. The Council notes that Axemen was in the top eleven ABC programs in the week it was shown and that it was an outstanding story.
Message Stick
The ABC Advisory Council commends Message Stick as an informative and educational program in Indigenous issues and peoples. The program presents stories with insight and respect to Indigenous protocol.
The Games
The ABC Advisory Council commends The Games for its creative and innovative interpretation of the staging of the Sydney Olympics. The Council highlights the specific episode which featured the John Howard "sorry" speech for its intuitive presentation of a significant issue for our community.
Stateline
The National Advisory Council commends the efforts of Stateline producers and staff to cover each state’s current issues - this gives ownership to the states and gives encouragement and also creates an interest in local affairs. Feedback suggests that its popularity would be enhanced through rescheduling into a more high pro-active timeslot.
Landline
The ABC Advisory Council commends the ongoing popularity and successful integration into urban Australia of Landline. The establishment of the online facility following the program’s screening to further educate and inform viewers. This has a two way feedback benefit, one is for producers and staff and two, it expands and further informs in an interactive way those viewers interested in pursuing the topics which are being screened.
Sound Quality
The ABC Advisory Council commends the program Sound Quality on Radio National. Sound Quality is a well presented innovative program. However, the Council feels that if this program was broadcast on the Triple J network rather than on Radio National it would receive a better and wider audience appreciation.
Triple J - Unearthed
The ABC Advisory Council commends Triple J for its commitment to the Unearthed Project. These endeavours have provided tremendous opportunities for youth and the broader communities from regional and rural spheres alongside the metropolitan centres. Likewise, it provides insight for the Triple J audience to explore and discover their greater communities.
Triple J - Mt Magnet, WA
Mount Magnet, 500-600 Klms from Perth now receives Triple J, broadcasting community information. The ABC Advisory Council commends Triple J for this good initiative, terrific progress in local involvement as well as providing something for people to listen to.
National Soccer League Final
The ABC Advisory Council commends the ABC Sports department for its coverage of the National Soccer League final held in Perth earlier this year. The commentary and interviews added to the excitement of the occasion and great foresight was shown allowing Perth viewers to watch the game live. Allowing the coverage to cut into normal viewing time was a bold move and was greatly appreciated.
936 ABC Hobart
The ABC Advisory Council warmly congratulates 936 ABC Hobart for being the most popular Radio broadcaster for southern Tasmania in the latest survey. In particular, the Council notes the excellent work of Angie Nelson, Manager Local Radio and her staff for having achieved this outstanding result.
Miracle on the River Kwai
The ABC Advisory Council commends those involved in Miracle On The River Kwai. The production made good use of interesting archival footage and eyewitness accounts. Miracle On The River Kwai was a touching account of the bravery and initiative displayed by the Australian prisoners of war under horrendous conditions. The Council believes that programs that deal with these important historical issues are invaluable to the development of a positive Australian identity.
Chrissie Tucker - ABC Equity & Diversity Manager
The ABC Advisory Council commends the work and research performed by Chrissie Tucker, ABC Equity and Diversity Manager on the positive way in which people with disabilities in the media are portrayed. The publication, "You can make a difference - A Program Maker’s Guide", under the guidance of Chrissie will certainly go a long way to achieving this aim.
National Science Week
The ABC Advisory Council commends the ABC for its support of National Science Week. The focus on all radio networks and on television gave science issues and scientists themselves support and publicity. Science Week presented a much-needed positive acknowledgment of the importance of science in our lives. The Science Events Diary was a very useful resource and Dr Karl’s tour was well received.
Behind the News
The ABC Advisory Council commends the presenter, reporters and production team of Behind the News and its accompanying website. BTN is an excellent source of interesting, informative and entertaining news, news analysis, civics education and sport.
The format is visually stimulating and the timing and blend of stories keeps the audience interested.
Reluctant Enemies
The ABC Advisory Council commends Maria Chilcott, Producer/Director of the ABC Documentary, Reluctant Enemies for her work on this excellent program. This program was well done in showing the positive side of human nature and indeed in what a documentary should be.
- Ms Deborah Klika (Convenor)
- Ms Katie Biggs
- Mr Douglas Stott
- Mrs Charlotte Samiec
- Mr James Salmon
- Mr Ryan Honschooten
- Mr Steven Mavrigiannakis
- Dr Edmund Sweeney
- Ms Francesca Beddie
- Mrs Lorna Condie
- Mrs Rosemary Champion
- Ms Nicholas Moraitis
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