ABC Managing Director Mark Scott has again fended off criticism of plans for a 24 hour news channel in a speech at the Melbourne Press Club yesterday.
Scott drew comparisons with Sky News and the introduction of ABC News Breakfast on ABC2.
“As I have said in all my time at the ABC – and before that – I admire the achievements of Sky. ABC News Breakfast was created not to drive Sky News out – if that happens, nobody wins. But we have added to audience choices if they have pay TV and have added something distinctive for everyone on television, whether they fork out directly for pay TV or not,” he said.
“There’s no doubt Australian news lovers appreciate the fresh approach, the diversity the ABC has brought to breakfast news.
“Our shareholders, the Australian people, also appreciate that while they already had a good return on their investment, ABC News Breakfast has enlarged that return.
Scott told the Press Club innovation had changed the game for ABC journalism. As a fan of Twitter, he also said the ABC was embracing social networking as a way of staying connected to audiences during the day.
“Through Twitter, we are delivering fast breaking news around everything from bushfires and leadership spills to traffic incidents and sports results,” he said.
“We have new guidelines on the use of social networking that are simple and straightforward – encouraging ABC people to use the new tools but not in a cavalier or reckless way.
“When ABC News sends a message on Twitter that message travels with the brand and reputation of the ABC behind it. It’s the same when a senior journalist – with followers drawn to them due to a reputation built on the ABC – sends a message.
Scott noted that Twitter took a significant role during the Liberal Party leadership battle late last year.
“Through Twitter, those following the compelling drama gained insights into what was happening in the press gallery corridors – sweeping rumours, conflicting claims, disputed versions of fact.
“What it meant for us was that while we had to use Twitter to explain what was happening, we had to avoid the trap of allowing its inherent pressure – that frenzied immediacy, where a minute late inside Twitter is like an hour late outside it – to run unconfirmed stories as though they were verified, or to somehow lower our reporting standards.”
@Russell: They only like competition when They are the ones moving into someone else’s territory. When it’s the other way around, oh look there’s the sky falling in (pun not intended!)
Dear oh dear oh dear oh dear, what a strom in a teacup, for information pay tv suits, there’s a whole swathe of people in the Aus community who simply cannot afford you rates for pay tv and you want to ruin their one chance at a 24 hours free tv news channel: fascinating. These free tv johnnies do live in a rather small box don’t they? They seem to have absolutely no idea what goes on out here in the great big box. Small box, small thinkers. Go ABC News! I’ll be watchin’
Here’s an idea, Foxtel should drop Sky News and have it replaced and combine what is left with ABC News so we will have a brand new channel on 601 with the obvious savings. VH1 is being rebranded as MTV Classics so why do something with news to add more value for the subscriber. And lets not mention Ovation. Doing things by half now come on Foxtel!
This anti ABC News Channel campaign by Sky News and News Limited is ridiculous. Since when does News Limited not support competition?
Fairfax is also crying foul over ABC News’ expansion. What’s wrong guys? Since when are commercial operations immune from competition?
Sky News has been and always will be an embarrassing excuse for a news channel. They’ve had a crack at it for 10 years and have failed to deliver. Let ABC have a go. Hopefully this is the kick up the ass Sky needs to move their network into the 21st century.
Competition between Sky News and ABC News will only result in a better offering from both parties. Australia needs a high quality national news network that breaks news, reports our national stories and offers debate on issues affecting all Australians. Right now we don’t have one. Hopefully once ABC News Channel starts up, and Sky reacts, we’ll have 2 of them.