Fed: PM guarantees editorial independence of ABC

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2000
Fed: PM guarantees editorial independence of ABC

CANBERRA, Dec 8 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard accused the ABC of lacking political
balance today, while guaranteeing the public broadcaster's editorial independence.

Mr Howard said he believed in the ABC and respected what the national broadcaster did,
although they did not always see eye to eye.

"I can't understand how anybody could imagine that the ABC does not have editorial
independence, particularly under this government," he told Radio 3AW.

Mr Howard said sometimes he thought balance was lacking in the ABC's political comment.

"I do believe in the ABC, I regularly appear in interviews on the ABC and I have a
lot of respect for what the ABC does but I do think in some areas its political balance
is lacking.

"I say this publicly, it's not something I say privately."

ABC staff went on strike earlier this week amid fears of job losses from a $3.4 million-cut
to news and current affairs, while the ABC board agreed to ask the government for an extra
$40 million for new programming.

They were also protesting at managing director Jonathan Shier's failure to guarantee
the essential independence and non-commercial charter of ABC.

AAP eg/daw/mg/bwl

KEYWORD: ABC HOWARD

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