A recent Newspoll survey of community attitudes to the ABC continues to confirm that the Australian public overwhelming believe that the ABC is `balanced and even-handed' in its reporting of news and current affairs. Recent monitoring of ABC output by Rehame in the lead up to the Federal Election also supports the ABC's standing as an independent and impartial public broadcaster.

"It is reassuring to see that for the fifth consecutive Newspoll Appreciation Survey around 4/5ths of the Australian public believe that the ABC does a very good or quite good job of being balanced and even-handed," ABC Managing Director, Russell Balding said.

"The results for individual programs among those who watch or listen to them, such as the 7pm TV News, The 7.30 Report, The World Today, AM and PM, were even higher, ranging from 94 to 89 per cent.

"Independent surveying of Australians by highly respected sources over recent years has consistently demonstrated the great faith that the public has in ABC reporting."

Media Release 3sept04 ABC Appreciation Survey-Newspoll