Raven Paradox

Barely a week goes by without some right wing ideologue accusing the ABC of “left wing bias” - be it subtley or blatantly.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20876,20586352-7583,00.html

The (almost) amusing thing about it is that a good majority of these articles rage against a supposed “left wing agenda” or ideology yet postulate that the national broadcaster should align itself more closely with opinions that they are comfortable with.

Unsurprisingly, with the ABC board stacked with people hand picked by the Liberal Government:

http://www.abc.net.au/corp/board/board_members.htm

… the announcement of “bias guidelines” from the board today is hardly surprising:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20589960-2702,00.html

Have a look at the board members and make up your own opinion:

Keith Windschuttle

Apart from attempting to rewrite the history of Aboriginal Australia, claiming that there was little to no maltreatment of the indigenous population, Windschuttle was once a Marxist who suddenly and inexplicably took a dramatic turn and moved to the far right in the 1980’s.

Strangely enough, he has attempted to rewrite his own history and, on his website, appears reluctant to acknowledge publications authored by himself during the times he was a more moderate individual.

Janet Albrechtsen

Since her appointment to the board, Albrechtsen has slightly toned down her strident attacks on “the chardonnay socialists” and their ilk in her regular weekly column in The Australian.

Whilst it could hardly ever be said that she presents a balanced opinion, her articles are occasionally thought provoking and often amusing - if only due to the Greer-esque (despite her rabid anti-feminism) attempts to wind up those who think differently from herself.

Ron Brunton

A senior fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs… enough said really.

Mark Scott

Mark Scott was employed by the NSW Liberal Government between 1998-1992. Initially under Nick Greiner (until he was forced to resign), then under John Fahey

I don’t know enough about the remaining four members to make a comment, they were however, appointed by John Howard - a man known for many things, but never a fair and balanced view, nor a man who takes kindly to any form of dissent.

The critics of the ABC have howled bias for many a moon yet have continually failed to present any evidence of this.

The dismal attempt by Michelson to portray the ABC as a rabidly Marxist, anarchist, Government hating, viewer corrupting, left wing melting pot in The Australian’s Opinion article contained one solitary “example” of this alleged bias:

“ABC acrimony has various targets and the airwaves are used to attack people. Here’s just one example of how our broadcaster treats Australia’s elected Prime Minister. On nationally televised The Glass House, compere Wil Anderson (April 30, 2004) responded to a taped excerpt of John Howard:

Howard: “And I always admire somebody who in his own way for his own reasons forms a conscientious objection on something.”

Anderson: “Bullshit. He admires someone who forms a conscientious objection on something (sarcastically). Yep, like the war in Iraq. Or the treatment of indigenous people. Or being screwed by a free trade agreement. Gee, John Howard must have admiration coming out of his arse!”

I challenge the Friends of ABC to name a worse example of Australian broadcasting.”

For starters, The Glass House is a comedy/satire programme (and whilst it can be a little hit and miss on the laughs at times) is hardly the primary source of news and current affairs in this country.

Secondly, it is patently obvious that Michelson has never had the misfortune of accidentally tuning in to:

• Big Brother
• Alan “The Parrot” Jones
• 2Day FM
• Triple M
• Australian Idol
• The Wedge

The latest attack on the ABC - from within by those sent by Howard to destroy his third most hated part of Australia (the previous two being Medicare and the union movement) - is the scariest

Any kind of bias should not be allowed in a democracy - and the ABC has never been biased.

The ABC has only ever reported things the way that they are - the bias in this country is seen in the media outlets who are controlled by privatised entities. They have a master to please, a Murdoch, a Packer, a Fairfax, a Stokes or the minions thereof. If these masters and their minions believe that it is in the best interests of their multi million/billion dollar interest to fly the flag of a particular ideology/political party, then that is what is presented.

Sadly, John Howard and his government seem to be unable to accept the fact that much of what they have done and are doing is not good for this country, its people or the world - therefore they are working to silence anyone who broadcasts an opinion that is detrimental to their goals.

The ABC needs to maintain its independence, it needs to continue reporting news “as it is” and now being cowed by the self appointed censors of this increasingly oppressive government.

It has a minor stake of the market compared to the commercials - why are they so afraid of it?

John Howard - it is our ABC, not your ABC.