We will decide…
… what opinions are aired on the ABC and the shows upon which they are voiced.
The news that the Glass House has been axed is somewhat perplexing:
I have somewhat of a scoop though:
Right click on the image and select “view image” for a full size version.
The Glass House - a highly amusing, topical comedic talk show - in a period that it was enjoying its best ratings, has been inexplicably axed.
If you haven’t watched the show - go grab a copy now
Whilst large parts of it are scripted, the humour is more often than not, quite clever and certainly pulls no punches - but when it truly comes alive is when guests such as Arj Barker, Pinky Beecroft, HG Nelson and their ilk pick up the ball and run (away) with it.
The show has been accused of continual “left wing” or “anti government” bias by both conservative commentators and politicians alike. The latter accusation is exceedingly worrisome as, last time I checked, making a joke about the failings of the countries ruling political party wasn’t (yet) listed as an offence under Ruddock’s sedition laws.
One of the defining characteristics of being an Australian is the lack of awe in which we have traditionally held figures of authority. Our laconic attitude when it comes to the airs, graces and even aura of mystique that some societies afford their elected/imposed rulers is part of what makes us what we are - it has certainly plays a large part in defining our national sense of humour over the years.
What has happened (or more to the point - what have we allowed to happen) to our (allegedly democratic) country when comedians on a topical chat show are pilloried for indulging in relevant, topical comedy?
When did it become illegal to disagree with the government or to express amusement, displeasure or gods forbid, dissent toward them or their policies?
Aren’t we in Iraq to “protect democracy” now that we all know that there were never any weapons?
Yes, Howard, Vanstone, Ruddock, Costello, Abbott, Hockey and the likes wear the brunt of more witticisms than Beazley, Rudd, Gillard and and and… um, those other guys - but that is simply because the bloody Labor Party doesn’t do anything - they have (sadly) made themselves so #$%@ing irrelevant with their “small target” strategies that I struggle to name more than three or four of them - and I like politics.
With the ABC Bias guidelines, the continual drying up of funding, the scuttling of the Jonestown book and the board now stacked with conservatives (not to mention talk of privatisation) times are becoming somewhat troubled for not only the ABC, but for the state of freedom of speech in this country.
But just what can we, as humble tax payers do?
Simply hope that the ALP is able to somehow, in some way, make itself a relevant, viable force in time for the next election… if it can’t then this kind of thing will only become a more regular occurrence.
Technorati Tags: ABC, bias, The Glass House, Glass House axed, Glass House, Censorship, right wing bias, dissent, ALP, Libs, Liberal, Wil Anderson, Corinne Grant, Dave Hughes
