Recommendations and Commendations 18-19 November 1999

Recommendations

Radio With Pictures

Recommendation R1/3/99 - Hd Local & Regional Services
The National Advisory Council recommends that development of the informative and entertaining Western Australian produced program known as Radio with Pictures be considered for production on a national basis and the possibility of setting aside a time slot for each state to produce and air its own series be examined.

Ryan Honschooten
Ed Sweeney

Sports Programming

Recommendation R2/3/99 - Hd Local & Regional ervices, Hd National Networks, Hd News & Current Affairs and GM Marketing
The National Advisory Council recommends that the ABC widen its publicity and promotion of sporting coverage on radio and the website, but in particular on television.

Council has received numerous approaches from the public regarding the limited notification they are receiving regarding events to be shown. The cross promotion between television, radio and the website should be enhanced and expanded to ensure that the maximum possible audience is received. This applies to television in particular.

Council also notes that a response to one of its recommendations, R2/2/98 (see below) indicated the introduction of a series of pilot programs, focussing on Regional, State, National and International Sport. As yet the progress of this proposal is not known to Council, and would be of great interest.

On a more general note, the National Advisory Council would like to refer management to its recommendation of October 1998 (R5/3/98 see also below). In line with management's view regarding the focussing of sport on a more wide ranging coverage of many sports, consideration should be given to implementing that proposal.

Matt Draper
Ryan Honschooten

Tasmania - Local Production

Recommendation R3/3/99 - Hd Local & Regional Services and Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council commends the local Tasmanian productions of The Full Kombi and The End of the Game. The programs showcase and exemplify the talent available within the ABC.

Further, the National Advisory Council recommends that other States continue to produce and develop similar high quality local programs for broadcast both within the state and to a national audience. The twin benefits of boosting and developing local television and also increasing the percentage of Australian produced programs are to be applauded and encouraged.

Matt Draper
Ed Sweeney

Landline

Recommendation R4/3/99 - Hd News & Current Affairs and Hd National Networks
The issue of the timeslot for Landline has been discussed by the National Advisory Council over a number of years (there have been eight recommendations in all, most recent R1/2/95 is referred below) particularly by members of the National Advisory Council who represent regional and rural areas.

The National Advisory Council again recommends that Landline be repeated at night. Presently the 12pm Sunday and 1pm Monday timeslot are both in daylight hours, which makes it very difficult for farmers to watch the program.

Audrey Tremain
Jim Salmon

Repeat Programs

Recommendation R5/3/99 - Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council understands that due to funding restraints it is inevitable that a number of repeat programs need to be screened. These repeats are often very popular for example, Pride and Prejudice, The Vicar of Dibley, Daria and Rugrats, while others seem to suffer from overexposure e.g. many shows for children in the morning and afternoon time-slots.

The National Advisory Council would like to encourage the ABC to look at the possibility of increasing the ability of the public to suggest and/or request the screening of favourite shows and perhaps even making creative use of older shows by a presenter putting them in their historical context in the development of television (the National Advisory Council understands that this idea was looked into under the title Window on the Archives but this idea does not seem to have come into fruition. We would particularly encourage the revisiting of Australian programs

Charlotte Samiec
Steven Mavrigiannakis

Race Around Oz - Race Around The World - Use Of Segments

Recommendation R6/3/99 - Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council commends the use of the Race Around Oz segments as program fillers. On an extended note Council would like to pursue the possibility of re-airing Race Around the World, if not in whole, then as program fillers in the evening timeslot.

Katie Biggs
Jillian Crowe

SCOSE Reports

Recommendation R7/3/99 - Hd Local & Regional Services and Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council commends the SCOSE reports for maintaining and fostering a high standard of written and spoken English. The National Advisory Council sees the need for a larger dissemination of this material and recommends that the ABC investigate the possibility of making this material available to a wider audience.

Jillian Crowe
Douglas Stott

Website Addresses

Recommendation R8/3/99 - Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council recommends that website addresses when shown for programs, be shown for a greater length of time to enable viewers to record the addresses for future reference.

Jim Salmon
Douglas Stott

National Press Club Luncheons

Recommendation R9/3/99 - Hd News and Current Affairs
The National Advisory Council would like to recommend that consideration be given to replaying specific broadcasts of National Press Club luncheons in a later time slot.

Certain speakers have proven to be extremely popular, topical and engaging and would undoubtedly be popular with a wider audience. Also where possible advertising the speakers on all media, would aid in the popularity of this proposal.

Matt Draper
Ed Sweeney

Classic FM - Margaret Throsby Program - Repeats

Recommendation R10/3/99 - Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council recommends that there be less repeats of Margaret Throsby's interviews. Something new should be presented when Margaret Throsby is unavailable.

Douglas Stott
Charlotte Samiec

The Bill - Repeats

Recommendation R11/3/99 - Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council recommends that the newer series of The Bill be repeated in the daytime in place of the older series now currently shown.

Ryan Honschooten
Douglas Stott

Dalziel and Pascoe

Recommendation R12/3/99 - Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council recommends that when full length Dalziel and Pascoe programs are presented, the Silent Witness series should be held over for another Friday night.

Douglas Stott
Robin Stuart-Harris

Programming For Younger Audience

Recommendation R13/3/99 - Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council notes that despite previous comments, there remains little programming specifically directed at young teenagers on a daily basis. At the moment only Heartbreak High fills this role. The National Advisory Council recommends that the 6-6.30pm time-slot remains committed to this audience. Ideally, this time-slot should be reserved for high quality Australian content programs, especially as the lead-in programming contains numerous repeats of shows for much younger children.

Jillian Crowe
Charlotte Samiec

Australia All Over

Recommendation R14/3/99 - Hd Local & Regional Services
The National Advisory Council recommends that the producers of Australia All Over consider and implement methods of assisting the Western Australian audience to better access the program in regard to talk-back.

Many Western Australian listeners enjoy the program, but find it difficult to interact with the show during the three hour time difference.

Ryan Honschooten
Matt Draper

Radio Australia

Recommendation R15/3/99 - Hd National Networks
The National Advisory Council would like to address the position and performance of Radio Australia. Primarily commendation is due to Radio Australia for its comprehensive efforts and dedication to broadcasts into Indonesia leading up to the election and the ensuing crisis. Secondly, the National Advisory Council welcomes the introduction to ABC Television of Radio Australia station IDs. This is an excellent presentation which highlights the role of Radio Australia in and around Australia.

Of concern on a broader note is the state of affairs facing the Cox Peninsula transmitter. Despite stressing the excellent Radio Australia accommodation to their broadcasting limitations, there is a deep felt disappointment at the government decision to close the transmitters. Consequently, the National Advisory Council recommends enquiry into the possibility of future renewed support to re-establish the transmitter in light of the extended situation and demands of the Indonesian crisis.

Kate Biggs
Jim Salmon

Transmission - Condobolin, NSW

Recommendation R16/3/99 - Hd ABC Development
The National Advisory Council recommends that investigation into the fact that some areas still cannot receive ABC Television be pursued. Council recognises that this is not the fault of the ABC and that this is a transmission problem. Nevertheless Council recommends that reception of ABC transmission be pursued, particularly in areas such as Condobolin, NSW which is an area recently brought to Counci''s attention.

Audrey Tremain
Jim Salmon

Commendations

Radio With Pictures

The National Advisory Council commends the production team behind the program Radio with Pictures for such an innovative and entertaining program.

Triple J Morning Show

The National Advisory Council commends the Triple J Morning Show's coverage of the Republic referendum. This program was comprehensive in its exploration of many issues and components of the referendum. This program was accompanied by an equally valued internet site.

East Timor

The National Advisory Council would like to commend all the ABC staff who were involved in the recent reporting of events in East Timor. Their comprehensive coverage of the issues under dangerous and volatile conditions was much appreciated by the Australian public.

Referendum

The National Advisory Council commends all ABC outlets on the coverage of the Referendum on the Republic. It was done with fairness and integrity and was comprehensive and interesting.

Media Watch

The National Advisory Council would like to commend the producers and presenter of Media Watch. The recent inquiry dubbed the ìCash for Commentî inquiry has highlighted the need for the continuation of such a program. All those concerned with the program are to be applauded on their comprehensive research and vigilance.

2 Shot

The National Advisory Council commends the program 2 Shot. While prompting varying reactions, the concept was appreciated and resulted in a diverse selection of interviews. The interviews encompassing a broad range of interviewing styles and areas of interest were sometimes fascinating, heartfelt and often of a challenging subject nature. Of special attention were the interviews of Sarah McDonald with Jason Yat Sen Li and Leah Purcell and Richard Glover with Gary McDonald.

Micallef

The National Advisory Council commends Micallef, a highly amusing and energetic program. The Micallef team are a talented ensemble that create a truly unique arrangement of sketch performances.

Triple J Internet Site

The National Advisory Council commends the excellent presentation and development of the Triple J internet site. This site integrates a diverse selection of informative and educational activities and information. The site's dedication to promoting audience interaction with the radio station is highly appreciated by listeners. The internet site is a valued community resource.

6WF News Team

The National Advisory Council commends the 6WF news team for the high quality and up to date hourly news bulletins, which include the most current news stories available, avoiding the repetition of over publicised news stories thus ensuring the news is always interesting and topical for the audience. Keep up the good work.

Federation Series

The National Advisory Council commends the Federation series. The series channelled our thoughts in preparation for our decision making before the Referendum.

Australian Story

The National Advisory Council commends Australian Story particularly two programs on musicians Roger Woodward and Ali Wood and their origins in a country town. The exceptional talent was inspiring.

Compass

The National Advisory Council would like to commend the Compass program for providing a fascinating insight into all matters spiritual. The recent trilogy on the Devil Unauthorised was an interesting discussion in the history of the demonic and how Satan relates to modern man. Such an entertaining and informative feature would seem to be the norm for Compass which is well presented by Geraldine Doogue.

Grandstand

The National Advisory Council would like to commend the Grandstand program on ABC Radio for providing a good widespread coverage of sporting matters concerning local, regional material and international events. The range of issues, in depth interviews and calling of live events is second to none. The professionalism of Karen Tighe as presenter is to be lauded.

BackBerner

The National Advisory Council commends the presenter, writers , producer and crew of BackBerner. The show provides entertaining and satirical comment on current affairs.

Walking With Dinosaurs

The National Advisory Council commends the ABC for screening the series Walking with Dinosaurs and also the Making of Walking with Dinosaurs. The series was an excellent production and the Making of Walking with Dinosaurs served to show the great lengths that were taken to establish how the dinosaurs walked and lived. Excellent television.

Oklahoma

The National Advisory Council commends the ABC for screening Oklahoma. This was a superb production and it was wonderful to see an Australian star on the West End stage.

Classic FM Drive

The National Advisory Council commends presenter, Christopher Lawrence and Derek Jones, producer for the ongoing high standard of the entertaining Drive program.

O'Loghlin

The National Advisory Council commends the presenter, producer and crew of O'Loghlin on Saturday Night. The show covers a variety of stimulating topics and features interesting guests. Eric the Dog's segments are particularly popular - perhaps Eric should have his own program.

Many Views One ABC Promotion

The National Advisory Council commends the Many Views One ABC promotions. They are visually interesting and highlight important aspects of the ABC to the wider ABC audience.

Australian Story

The National Advisory Council commends the producers of the Australian Story on the McKay High School students' visit to Gallipoli. A history lesson turned into a search for war graves of relatives and people from their district. The Chatroom on the Web after the program was very good, enabling more people to contact the group and show their appreciation and seek more information.

3LO - 75th Birthday

The National Advisory Council commends the programmers and presenters at 3LO for their highly entertaining lead-up to the station's 75^th Birthday. It was particularly interesting to hear station identities from the past give listeners their recollections.

Jon Faine

The National Advisory Council commends Jon Faine of 3LO for his committed, unbiased current affairs coverage of the Victorian State election. His informed and enthusiastic comments make for fascinating listening.

Members

Ryan Honschooten - Gosnells, WA
Steven Mavrigiannakis - Sandy Bay, Tasmania
Edmund Sweeney - Hunters Hill, NSW
Associate Professor Robin Stuart-Harris - ACT (Convenor)
Jillian Crowe - VIC
Matthew Draper - NSW
Lesley Bangama Fogarty - WA
Audrey Tremain - NSW
Douglas Stott - SA
Katie Biggs - VIC
Charlotte Samiec - QLD
James Salmon - QLD

The ABC Advisory Council