MEDIA RELEASE 25 July 2003 - for immediate release
Attention News Editor/ Chief of Staff

Senator Alston and Mr Howard are reported to be proposing yet another body to review complaints against the ABC. The work of ABC program makers is already subject to review by:

• The ABC's (internal) Complaints Review Executive, headed by respected senior executive Murray Green.
•  The ABC Board - all but two of whom were appointed by the Howard government.
•  The Independent Complaints Review Panel. An external body of people not associated with the ABC, and appointed by the ABC Board.
•  The Australian Broadcasting Authority, which can hear complaints against all broadcasters, including the ABC.
•  A detailed review by businessman Bob Mansfield, appointed by Mr Howard, which found no evidence of ABC bias.
•  The Australian National Audit Office, which regularly reviews the ABC. In its last report the ANAO found no evidence of bias, and reported that its editorial policies were "robust and effective".
•  The Senate Estimates Committee, where government Senators regularly cross-examine ABC executives.

Commenting on the latest proposals Friends of the ABC spokesperson Darce Cassidy said:

" There are already almost enough umpires to make up a football team. Having failed to get the verdict he wanted from any of the existing umpires, Senator Alston wants to add another.

" He could, as the present law provides, refer the matter to the Australian Broadcasting Authority. But the government appointed Chairman, Professor Flint, would have little credibility as an umpire, having already taken a partisan position on the ABC."

"If he tries long enough and hard enough Senator Alston will find someone who will give him the answer he wants, but this won't fool anyone."

"The final arbiter is public opinion. Surveys show most Australians, and most Coalition voters, think the government misled them over the Iraq war. Other surveys have consistently shown that most Australians, and indeed most Coalition voters, think the ABC does a good job with news and current affairs"
…ends

Further comment/information Darce Cassidy 03 9486 9549 (work) 04121 685 178 (mobile) 03 9349 4280 (home)