Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Why the ABC trumps all other channels

Lecture 7
          Up until recently, I had no idea that there was a difference between the way Channel 7 was run and the ABC. They were all television channels to me, one and the same. After our lecture on Public Media on Monday, I now know that isn't true. 
           What I gained from Monday's lecture is very simple:
  1. The government doesn't fund public media outlets (such as the ABC and SBS) and therefore has no influence over it.
  2. The government doesn't like not having control over pretty much anything, which is why we don't hear a lot of politicians praising these outlets.
  3. Public media outlets put importance over interest. Meaning that if something important needs to be said, they will most likely jump straight on it, no matter who it effects. 
  4. There are less adds than on commercial media outlets (such as channels 7,9 and 10), because it's less associated with profit. It's purpose is to serve.
           When I heard this (I was blissfully ignorant before that day), my respect immediately increased. My initial impression of the ABC was that it was a channel for kids and seniors, not interesting for anyone my age. But now, as I gain interest in many different aspects involved in journalism, the ABC is the only channel I watch. Of course, I do also watch television shows that are streamed online, but the only time I physically turn on the television, it's not watch a program on the ABC. 

            After all, a broadcaster that can make a politician say this can't be too bad can it?:

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