Senator Alston wants the Australian Broadcasting Authority to take an ongoing monitoring role by appointing a new independent complaints panel for this task. The ABC editorial policy already bars the broadcaster from taking an editorial stand on an issue -

‘but the government wants independent monitoring to examine deeper issues such as tone, comment and interruptions.’

‘The government’s demands place the board in an unenviable position. Some government members resent the fact that the ABC board members appointed by Howard seem to have been captured by the national broadcaster’s culture. It seems that some board members see themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. Agreeing to this plan would mean being seen to do the government’s bidding, jeopardising the ABC’s independence.’

Fred Brenchley The Bulletin 28/10/03