What is FABC's position on this disgraceful case of one-sided censorship, particularly when compared with the behaviour of Phillip Adams in his articles in "The Australian"?

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2003

Answers

ABC staff should have the same right to express their opinions in the press as any other citizen. It is irrelevant whether we agree with Stephen Crittenden's opinions, or those of Phillip Adams. There has been no suggestion that Stephen Crittenden has been anything but fair and impartial in his role as an ABC broadcaster.What he writes in his own time, and as a private citizen, is not the ABC's business.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2003

At its national conference held in Perth on the weekend of 6 and 7 September the Friends of the ABC adopted the following motion as national policy:

"Friends of the ABC believes the community is best served by open discussion and debate, and the encouragement of the ABC staff to participate in this process. We are concerned that there be no restriction on the free speech of ABC staff outside their ABC employment, other than that which lawfully exists for all other Australian citizens or prevents the misuse of information gained in the course of employment. Further we believe it would not be in keeping with the ABC's role, as one of Australia's most significant forums for ideas and debate, for the ABC Board or management to discourage ABC staff from participating in other forums."

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2003

Presumably Darce Cassidy's response is the official attitude of FABC to this scandal. I am assuming this because his email address suggests he is part of FABC. I would hope then that FABC makes a pretty big stink about this appalling scandal to at least match the anit-Government propaganda it regularly has no trouble in getting maximum media coverage for. I shall be keeping a lookout but not holding my breath.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2003