ABC uses first annual public meeting to tout its popularity, efficiency

ABC sticks to the script in its first annual public meeting

The meeting was an opportunity for ABC leadership to tout the broadcaster's popularity and cultural impact, though it failed to mark much of a change from its recent message.

ABC Chairman Justin Milne, Managing Director Michelle Guthrie, Board Member Peter Lewis and Board Member Dr Kristin Ferguson

The ABC has used its first annual public meeting to push its place in Australia as the most popular and most trusted media outlet.

In a slick, stage-managed meeting broadcast at the ABC’s Sydney headquarters and simulcast at the studios in Rockhampton and Launceston, and online, chair Justin Milne and managing director Michelle Guthrie spoke of the challenges facing the media. They described the ABC’s strategy for working into the next 20 years as “ABC 2.0”. Milne and Guthrie, as well as chief financial officer Louise Higgins, emphasized the efficiency of the ABC and the value for money it offers.

“ABC 2.0 will use technology to transform the way we serve content to our audiences,” Milne said. “And it will change how our people operate, attracting the brightest creative and technical talent and making the ABC an even better place to work than it is today.”

Milne said ABC 2.0 was the major strategy initiative for the ABC, but that it would not replace radio and TV.

“It is akin to us deciding to go into the television business in 1955,” he said. “Just as then, it will require significant investment and possibly generate some controversy. Back then the media barons complained bitterly about the government funding a TV network — which they saw as competing with them. But we did go into TV, the commercial sector has made billions upon billions of dollars and the Australian public has been the winner because they have had media choice and a trusted, independent, ad-free voice that belongs to them.”

The message of the meeting was centred around the trust and popularity of the broadcaster, with Guthrie also referring to the need for adequate funding for the ABC to fulfill its charter responsibilities.

“We know we have the support of the Australian public. With a monthly reach of more than 80% of Australians, we are more popular than both the major political parties combined,” she said.

Higgins also outlined how the ABC is funded, saying the ABC’s funding has declined in real terms by 28% since 1986 and how its per capita funding is 34% lower than the average of other public broadcasters.

The meeting, hosted by News Breakfast host Michael Rowland, also included six of 350 pre-submitted audience questions to be answered by executives. The questions were decided by an independent research company, but touched on regular criticisms of the ABC: whether the ABC is biased; whether there will be more cuts to legacy news and current affairs programming such as those of last year; advertising for other programs on the ABC; and whether funding for rural and regional programming would continue.

All the answers stuck to the usual messaging: the ABC is adapting for the future and for the way its consumers are accessing products, it is committed to fair and accurate reporting, it is producing more and more Australian content.

Milne also announced a new “brand manifesto”: “ABC, Yours”, which he said was a reminder that the work the ABC does is for Australians. “We think it packs a real, big punch,” he said.

About the Author

Emily Watkins

Former News Editor @emilykwatkins

Emily formerly covered all things "media" for Crikey and was based in Sydney. She has previously worked for the ABC's Media Watch and reported on courts, crocodiles and occasionally UFOs for the NT News.