GETUP CAMPAIGN FOR FUNDING FOR THE ABC

Dear friends,

We are at a turning point in the future of a fundamental and cherished
Australian institution, the ABC. Right now, the Cabinet's budget committee
is deciding the ABC's funding for the next three years.

As it stands, the ABC is $264 million poorer in real terms today than it was
20 years ago. The programs we rely on - from independent news and current
and affairs to quality children's content - are under extreme pressure. In a
very real sense, the integrity of the ABC is now at stake.


http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/FundOurABC
Sign this petition to restore the ABC's funding. We need to
act now before it's too late.
Click here to sign.

Let's show politicians in Canberra that the ABC's owners - the public - are
prepared to stand up and defend it. For this to work, every signature
counts. We've set a goal of 10,000 signatures. Will you - and your friends
and colleagues - help us get there?

That's only a few days to get 10,000 people to stand up for the ABC and for
public-driven, not profit-driven, Australian media.


Right now there is real debate within Howard Government on this issue. This
gives all ABC supporters an unprecedented opportunity to save it.

Communications Minister Senator Helen Coonan has signaled her support for a
real funding boost to the ABC. Last month she admitted that costs have
escalated hugely and that the ABC not only needs funding for its new digital
technology, but also to enable it to lift its game with content.

But she still has to convince Treasurer Peter Costello and Finance Minister
Nick Minchin.

Your actions today can make a difference because the ABC now has meaningful
support in Cabinet. The government needs to hear from you that with an
anticipated budget surplus of $9.7 billion, soaring to $10.7 billion by
2009, ignoring the ABC's plight is inexcusable.

With just two media giants dominating Australia's news and entertainment, a
strong and independent national broadcaster is more important than ever
before.

We promise your petition will be delivered in person to politicians in
Canberra (stay tuned for details).

The ABC is the eyes, ears and voice of our nation. We, its owners, have to
fight for it.

Thank you for taking part in this,

Friends of the ABC and the GetUp team

If you are having any difficulty with the links in the email, please click here to view the campaign.

27 March: The target has been raised from 10,000 to 50,000 and today is at almost 40,000!
Joan Laing, president Friends of the ABC SA