Friends of the ABC criticise Tassie cuts

Friends of the ABC have criticised the ABC’s decision to axe up to 16 jobs in Tasmania.

“ABC management must be called to account for its plan to axe Tasmanian ABC TV production,” said Glenys Stradijot, a spokesperson for Friends of the ABC (Vic).

“Friends of the ABC is wondering how long it will be before the ABC changes its name to the Private Broadcasting Corporation, with only its main office in Sydney and an outpost in Melbourne?

“The ABC is increasingly directing its resources to outsourced drama and documentary programs at the expense of in-house television production. And in doing so, it is also shutting down television production and coverage of local events in smaller states.

“ABC management is acting with flagrant disregard for the public broadcaster’s responsibility to be a national broadcaster that reflects the interests of the community right across Australia.”

The Community and Public Sector Union is also referring the matter to Fair Work Australia.

The ABC television production strategy for 2011-2013 was released in December last year.

ABC is proposing to invest $1.5 million over three years in a production fund and will seek a matching investment from the state government, most probably through Screen Tasmania.

Mark Scott, ABC Managing Director said, “The Director of Television, Kim Dalton, and the ABC Executive have resolved that a new approach is needed to commissioning; one that emulates the successful partnerships the ABC has put together with governments and their screen agencies in other states.

“A strategy that better enables the ABC to deliver on its Charter obligations to tell quality Australian stories across a range of genres. Some additional investment in News will also lead to increased national coverage from Tasmania.”