Recommendations
Message Stick
Recommendation R1/2/03 - Director of Television
The ABC Advisory Council would like to see Message Stick in a prime time program slot. The program's high production values should be exposed to a wider audience. Sunday is not a good time for this program, as the target audience is not at home and often out playing sport.
Landline
Recommendation R2/2/03 - Director of Television
As with Message Stick Council would like to see this program more prominently positioned. If not could the repeat go to 1.00pm which is a better time for the target audience, perhaps it could replace the Vets in Practice program at 6.00pm or the 7.30 Sunday evening program.
Council would like to see these both Message Stick and Landline more accessible not only to the target audience but to a broad audience as well.
Curriculum Studies
Recommendation R3/2/03 - Director of Television, Director of Radio and Director of Development
Council would like the ABC to look at ways of curriculum texts being covered in innovative and inexpensive ways, which would focus on the generality of the author or subject. Council would like to see a broader range of programs and topics which relate to the High School curriculum, for example programs on literature and psychology that broaden the theory - for example specials on writers rather than a specific text or play, similar to the recent excellent programs on Dickens, Jane Austen and Mark Twain. In the spirit of these programs Council suggests looking at showing texts or a story narrative set to vision bringing novels and writers to life and providing a discussion around the program could be examined.
Great Roads of Australia
Recommendation R4/2/03 - Director of Television, Director of Radio and Director of Development
The Advisory Council would like to see the ABC develop a series of programs on the Great Roads of Australia - for example the Great Ocean Road, The Birdsville Track. A series travelling the great roads of Australia which could be either television or radio would be particularly relevant given the number of people who travel around Australia.
Built Environment
Recommendation R5/2/03 - Director of Television, Director of Radio and Director of Development
The Advisory Council recommends the development of a program on architecture, which reflects the built environment in the context of everyday life and work. Showing how buildings reflect the changing nature of where we live and work.
Day in the Life of....
Recommendation R6/2/03 - Director of Television and Director of Development
The Advisory Council would like to see a program, which reflects jobs and careers focussing on the concept of talking about careers of everyday people expanding on what Andrew Denton does in Enough Rope.
Rage
Recommendation R7/2/03 - Director of Television
On Saturday morning Rage plays the same material as "Video Hits" on the commercial channel. It is not necessary for the ABC to promote video clips which give the impression young women need to look glamorous in bikinis to be musicians. Council suggest Rage continue with the guest presenter rather than showing the exact same material as a commercial channel.
Council would also like to see a system where people can vote for a repeat or a special. Perhaps by SMS messaging this could be provided by a crawl across the screen allowing for another way of engaging the audience through technology.
Race Around....
Recommendation R8/2/03 - Director of Television and Director of Development
Council would like to see the Race Around the World/Race Around the Corner format returned to the ABC. Particularly with the demise of Fly, this would allow an outlet for young or developing filmmakers. Council would also like to see further development of the initiative of giving video cameras to people to film within their communities bringing both a rural and urban view and providing opportunities for developing filmmakers.
Environmental Program
Recommendation R9/2/03 - Director of Television and Director of Development
Council would like to see a regular program on the environment along the lines of Richard Morecroft nature programs where topics are covered in depth e.g. salination, Murray River.
New Zealand and the Pacific
Recommendation R10/2/03 - Director of Television and Director of Radio
Council would like to see the inclusion of a broader range of programming and coverage on Radio and Television, from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific areas. At present very little Australian news on these areas.
Health and Social History
Recommendation R11/2/03 - Director of Television, Director of Radio and Director of Development
Council would like to see the ABC develop a program on health and social history and the conquest of disease in the modern world, for example malaria, SARS and their effect on the social and commercial history.
Retro Classics
Recommendation R12/2/03 - Director of Television
Council notices the occasional use of fillers, and would like to suggest the introduction of an "oldie" or "retro classics" video clip at a daily time for example before the news using archival material from programs such as GTK. Perhaps this could follow on the use of the multiscreen with the evening line up.
Length of Feedback and Media Watch
Recommendation R13/2/03 - Director of Television
With regard to Feedback Council feels that the point which has been made many times regarding the tone of the program, particularly the voiceovers is still relevant. Council has noted the advice from Director of Television that this is being monitored and would be interested in receiving the results of this. Council feels Feedback is too short when the introduction is taken into consideration and feels that a greater range of issues could be covered. The Council remains of the view that often the program treats genuine concerns in a flippant manner. Council recommends that both Media Watch and Feedback be of sufficient length to cover the topics.
Corporate Watch
Recommendation R14/2/03 - Director of Television and Director of Development
Council would like to see a follow up of its previous suggestion of a "corporate watch" program along the lines of Media Watch.
Commendations
The Advisory Council made the following commendations:
Trauma
This is a good factual example of seeing directly into people's lives without dramatising situations.
Hackers
A good local program examining a relevant topic
New Dimensions
Council has sent a number of recommendations and comments regarding Dimensions. Council members feel the program has improved, focussing more on the community and broadening topics. The Canberra bushfires segment is a good example of the program bringing local stories from communities. The program is providing popular local entertainment and generating a lot of discussion. Council would like to suggest that some of the stories could be shown elsewhere as they would be of interest of those people who miss them in the 6.30pm timeslot.
Grassroots
A "ripper". Good cast and good acting, satirical and close to the bone examination of local government.
Enough Rope
People like the structure of the program and think it is developing. The consistent respect for guests is also appreciated.
Glasshouse
Good entertainment for Friday Night. Irreverent but without offence.
Stateline WA
The program is increasing in political clout and examining pertinent WA issues.
Opera Outback
This program provided a fascinating human story showing the logistics involved and the reaction of country people.
The Deep End
Consistently good with a good cross section of Australian and International performers would appreciate regular live music program.
Love Letters from a War
Historically revealing - good use of archives shows the importance of protecting the heritage collection.
A Wedding in Ramallah
Compass is a consistently good program with a high level over a broad range of subject matter. A Wedding in Ramallah a good example of the consistent high quality.
Winter Season Promotions
Are aesthically and aurally pleasing. Not aggressive but a good glimpse of what programs are coming up.
Classic FM Drive with Julia Lester
entertaining, intelligent well informed an eclectic mix pieces not too lengthy particularly selected for timeslot.
Life Matters
Intelligent, thoughtful, thought provoking, well researched and well produced matters of current interest applicable to our own lives.
Rural Legends
An interesting series providing historical value to the community.
ABC Books and Publishing
The Council commends ABC Books and publishing for the hight quality and success of the children's books that give prominence to Australian authors.
Heywire
Council commends Heywire - it engages young people; allows rural and regional young people to make programs based on their experiences and which are of interest to an urban audience
Sunday Mornings
The Council commends Sunday Morning with Julie Copeland - an in depth program with a broad cross range of topics; not superficial.
Online
The ABC Online coverage of the war, the information was updated regularly and of a consistently high quality which allowed people to debate the issues or be informed.
Fran Kelly
The Council commends Fran Kelly on her reporting on 7.30 Report particularly, the lead up to the resignation of the Governor General, the Iraq War and the Labor Party Leadership challenge. Her reports are readily understandable, clear and concise put in an interesting unemotive and objective manner.
Geoff Thompson in Iraq
Whilst being embedded with the US army remained objective.
Jim McLeod Jazz program Classic FM
An outstanding wonderful approach to the program with two hours of uninterrupted jazz. World-class artists. Jim McLeod's knowledge gives the programs a depth of understanding and has an interesting educational perspective which brings new listeners into the all forms of jazz.
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