No, I’m not writing about the Federal government. I refer to the campaign to privatise the ABC. Alan Jones this morning briefly discussed the need to sell off the ABC and how he intended to pursue the issue at a latter date.
Undoubtedly there is a growing feeling amongst conservative bloggers – especially Andrew Bolt readers and people over at Catallaxy Files – that the ABC’s days are over. Its used by date passed a long time ago, but the ABC’s recent foray into online blogging and its 24 news channel – directly in competition from the private sector - has been the last straw.
1. There is no market failure that requires the government to own and operate a media outlet. Consumers have more media options right now than in any other time since the birth of media – both on the internet, pay TV, newspapers, commercial radio, free to air TV, etc…and satellite radio (if the government ever allows it).
2. Australian content laws and tax incentives are sufficient to guarantee Australian programming,
3. The ABC is exercising an unfair market advantage in competing against online blogging and news sites, commercial radio and TV. Due to tax-payer funds and the need not to make a profit, the ABC is able occupy the media spectrum and capture a market segment where the private sector is prohibited from doing so. This effectively destroys and prohibits the creation of private wealth. Think of all the radio spectrum ABC radio stations occupy. How many news radio stations do they need?!?
4. The ABC finds it impossible to uphold its charter to be balanced and fair. By and large it favours the political left. Even a cursory browse of its online news site, radio stations or TV news and entertainment shows it promoting left-wing economic and societal ideals. Studies have shown this to be the case. Many of the most prominent ABC commentators are members of the ALP and have worked in ALP governments. In the entire radio and TV network there is only one programme that could be described as conservative – the hour long Radio National Counterpoint. All other news programmes either do not feature conservatives or have them out numbered, in many cased 5 to 1 as in Q&A. The effect of this imbalance has been to distort public debate on issues such as global warming, the republic and government stimulus spending, etc…
5. It is morally repugnant and a volition of a person’s liberty that a certain group of tax-payers (the political right) have their private wealth confiscated by the state to fund the ABC when it promotes ideas and lifestyles at odds with its funding source. Political right tax-payers of course have no say in how the ABC is run.
6. TV ratings prove that the vast majority of people don’t care for the ABC. In terms of radio, Fran Bailey’s morning programme rates as well or better than many commercial stations. With that being that case, the political left should suffer through radio ads like the rest of us listening to commercial radio. Some might call it a form of civic discrimination.
I want my $3 back!