Why the lack of media coverage?

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Congratulations on the splendid rally. The Canberra Times did it proud. However, there was no coverage on the ABC news on Sunday night, though SBS reported it. Furthermore, there was no report of it in any major newspaper apart from the CT. Shouldn't the Friends be alerted to this and encouraged to make appropriate representations? Finally, wouldn't it be a good idea to have speakers from the public at large at any future event -- now the full dimensions of the problem have been outlined. Particularly speakers from country areas, who I would think would be the Friends' most effective allies. And maybe hold it during a sitting week, between Monday and Thursday, so the press has to be engaged!

Congratulations,

Ann Kent

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Answers

The Canberra Rally was mentioned in the Channel 10 News Headlines at 7.30pm last night. I presumed that's a national bulletin. (from Adelaide)

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

Thanks Anne for you comments. We never would have had 10,000 out marching on a week day

People work. Kids are in school. We need the celebs to draw a crowd as well. There is a limit to what one can do with the press.

As I said to our committee, if we started burning cars or firing shots the press would have been all over us.

I thing it says a lot when 10,000 march on Parliament House the Press aren't interested. don't you??

Peter Dyce FABC-ACT webmaster.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001


The Australian (page two) and the Adelaide Advertiser (page ten) both ran brief but positive reports on the Canberra rally today.

Congratulations to all the ABC Friends in the ACT - a magnificent job.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001


I have had a go at pulling together a few articles from the major dailies.

Have a look at www.fabc-act.spirit.net.au

Peter Dyce

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001


I know at least 20 Canberra people rang ABC Sydney on Sunday night to complain that there was no report of the rally on the 7pm news. Maybe the ABC is too modest to report that 10,000 people gathered on its behalf - or maybe they were gagged and unable to report it. I've asked ABC management for a response as to why this event wasn't reported. I'm sure that if 10,000 people gathered in Whoop-Whoop to protest about anything it would have made the ABC news. It was a great rally, great speakers and the public support was fantastic. Well done everyone.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001


Open letter to the editors of ABC News, also sent to every Journo I could find an email address for. Perhaps I will send the same thing to our so called politican leaders. ( Expect I will have to redraft this into not more than 25 easy words....and explain who Our Aunty is.)

Dear editors of ABC News,

In case it missed your attention,

10,000 people marched on Parliment House in Canberra yesterday. TO SAVE THE ABC.

It was reported in the Age in Melbourne. It was reported in The Sydney Morning Herald. It was reported in The Daily Telegraph. It was reported in the Adelaide Advertiser. It was reported in the Australian.

It was on Channel Ten news this evening. It was on Channel Nine news This evening. It was on SBS news Last Night.

What do we have to do? Burn cars? fire shots?

Was the West Australian Election really so exiting to the editors in the news room that they forgot about everything else or is this something more sinister.

Has our Aunty been blindfolded and gagged??

Peter Dyce 9 Hutchison Cresent Kambah ACT 2901 ph 62316247

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001


I too am very disturbed by the apparent silence of the ABC on this matter. Given the comments espoused about political appointments and intervention at Sunday's Rally one can't help but suspect that strings are being pulled in this case too. Perhaps as Ann suggests we need to mobilise the rural voice - it appears to be the only one that catches the political ear these days. Next email is to Jonathon Shiers - who knows, maybe there is a perfectly rational explanation just awaiting the asking. Hmmm!!

John Kennedy Kambah

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001


Rally was mentioned on ABC Radio news bulletins in WA (despite the exciting election). Large piece in West Australian 12/02 'ABC friends warn of voter backlash'.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

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