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Michael Wilbur-Ham
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Posts: 45

7pm ABC TV News Apr 29, 2013 15:19:55 GMT 10

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Post by Michael Wilbur-Ham on Apr 29, 2013 15:19:55 GMT 10

I'm in Melbourne, so all my comments apply to the Melbourne News. But as I expect that most stories I mention will be shown in every city, what I post should be relevant Australia wide.

Monday 29 April:

The big political news is the fall in revenue and Gillard saying that the budget will cut more than she wants and many tax increases are on the table. As per usual, comment from the opposition and that is all.

The promo for tonight's 4 corners (which I admit deserves to be in the News) is on the conditions at Manus Island - We hear from Prof. Gillain Triggs - Human Rights Commission President - saying "One has to argue, not only the legal, but the ethical dimensions of using some children and some families to send some sort of deterrent message that clearly is not being effective" and the reporter concludes by saying that "Australia is expected to spend 2.3 billion dollars on off-shore processing over the next 4 years. That's more than half the amount that the United Nations spends on human rights globally in a year".

But as Liberal and Labor are united on "stopping the boats" the ABC didn't consider this a political story. No questions to Labor to defend this (it was only when we watched Four Corners that we found out that the Immigration Minster didn't want to answer questions). And no mention of the Greens opposition to the policies of the major parties.

(As an aside, as an Engineer I'm highly numerate. But even I have trouble properly comprehending the way funding is presented in the media. I think all funding figures should be presented as $ per year, and if the funding is set for the future, say $ per year for the next 10 years. So the news item should have said that Australia is spending $575 million per year (over 4 years) on asylum seekers which is 16% of what the UN spends each year on global humanitarian issues which must handle 25 million people.)

The ABC TV News usually includes some trivia for entertainment or interest. So most of the time it would be easy to insert a real news story if they wished. So what they decide NOT to include on the news is telling.

Tonight the report the story that "Anglicare Australia has released a new report on rental affordability which finds it is becoming almost impossible for people on welfare to afford to rent a home," (see here) wasn't deemed important.

Last Edit: May 1, 2013 20:54:54 GMT 10 by Michael Wilbur-Ham

Michael Wilbur-Ham
Administrator

Posts: 45

7pm ABC TV News Apr 30, 2013 23:37:51 GMT 10

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Post by Michael Wilbur-Ham on Apr 30, 2013 23:37:51 GMT 10

Tuesday, 30 April:

Main story is that Labor might increase the medicare levy from 1.5% to 2.0% to partly pay for the national disability insurance scheme.

Nothing significantly good or bad about tonight's program.

Wednesday, 1 May:

Main story is that Labor will increase the medicare levy. As always the segment includes the views of the opposition. (The amount each state will receive is presented, but if comparing states surely the only important thing is money per person. Is Tasmania doing better than NSW? Who knows with the basically innumerate ABC News report.)

Obama announces a new push to close Guantanamo Bay. Didn't he promise this about 5 years ago? Some have been held without charge for over a decade. And David Hicks is going to appeal his sentence on the grounds that aiding the enemy wasn't a crime.

The ABC News mentions that losses from negative gearing toped 13 billion dollars in 2011. Rare to get mention of the HUGE amount of money lost for the benefit of those utilising this scheme which must be made up by the rest of us.

With so many reports talking about finance and profits, the most significant story NOT included was Open letter pushes Government to increase dole. The Greens have been calling for an increase in the dole for ages, but as per usual, they are not mentioned in the ABC online news story.

Also not included was Children to be housed in Darwin detention centre. But on a positive note, at least this is the first media story I've seen following on from the Four Corners program which includes comments from the Greens.

Thursday 2 May:

Main story is that "both sides of Australian politics have agreed on a new tax" to fund the NDIS.

Two detectives from the UK have interviewed a woman in Sydney in regard to the Rolf Harris sexual abuse charges. I mention this only because if the UK can send two detectives to Australia one has to wonder why Sweden couldn't send someone from Sweden to the UK to interview Julian Assange.

Friday 3 May:

Lead story is the release of the Defence White Paper. Of course we hear from the Opposition - but no other voices (either political or expert).

State and Federal ministers met today and endorsed a new 5 point plan to prepare the country for drought. Report says that there are signs of drought returning to SA, Vic, NSW, and "Queensland has experienced its lowest rainfall on record in several regions". Get one farmer saying "The biggest thing that is impacting us is the high Australian dollar". As usual with the ABC TV News no mention of climate change.

Report on Imran Khan in Pakistan which is very strange because surely the big story from Pakistan today was the chief prosecutor being gunned down and murdered. An ABC reported did the fluff piece on Khan - so his story was deemed more important.

Saturday 4 May:

Lead story (at least in Melbourne) is that Victoria has signed up to the NDIS. In an election it is appropriate to give each side fair coverage, but to the media (including the ABC) they have been in election mode for years. Today is no different, the video starts with Abbott's bike ride (with a fall) which really has nothing to do with this story.

I'll note as an aside that the NDIS gets the standard media coverage - it is all about Labor vs Liberal. While it is easy for many to agree with better funding for those with disabilities what gets zero coverage are any valid criticisms of the details of the current scheme.

The final large assignment of troops heading to Afghanistan was farewelled today. Respect for the soldiers doing their job. But as always with the ABC no mention of any public or political opposition to Australia's troops being there for so long.

Sunday 5 May:

Main story (for Victoria only) is that the state budget will include $100 million for upgrading the Frankston line. Daniel Bowen, a "public transport advocate" says that "it really is good news. The question for other people in Melbourne is when are they going to see the same improvements". The Opposition Leader says that "it is no replacement for the money that has been taken away."

What is missing is the reality - public transport in Victoria has been dragged down by years of poor management and planning, and needs an annual injection of $3 billion if it is to cope with growing demand according to a report by state Auditor-General Des Pearson in a report written in early in 2012. This lack of investment and planning is the consensus view of Liberal and Labor and so is treated as normal, a $100 million boost is treated as signifiant, and the views of those who differ, such as real transport planners and the Greens are ignored.

Di Natalie (Greens) gets a VoxPop and Zenaphon a mention speaking out against TV promotion of sport betting odds.

Last Edit: May 6, 2013 10:18:58 GMT 10 by Michael Wilbur-Ham

Michael Wilbur-Ham
Administrator

Posts: 45

7pm ABC TV News May 6, 2013 20:52:26 GMT 10

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Post by Michael Wilbur-Ham on May 6, 2013 20:52:26 GMT 10

Monday May 6, 2013:

Lead story (in Victoria) is that a police insider has leaked information to an 'outlaw' motorcycle gang.

The story of the protest against coal - Train station targeted by environment campaigners - didn't get a mention. Not much point doing a protest in Victoria when even TV friendly visuals don't get on air. No mention of such protests is just the sort of thing you would get under a dictatorship. Why am I starting to get worried?

Tuesday May 7:

Lead story is that interest rates have been cut to an historic low of 2.75%. Of course rather than hearing from experts we hear from the Opposition. For example, how do our interest rates compare to other countries?

The Victorian State Budgets 'key commitment' is to build the first stage of the East West toll road. Amazing how a grossly inadequate $100 million promise to improve on rail line gets lead story whilst really the state Liberals, as per the last few decades of Liberal and Labor, are a party committed to spending on roads.

The rail tunnel (which is probably not the best way to spend money on public transport) is on the back burner.

The report says the budget slogan is building for growth. (Not said is that the budget assumes growth of 1.7% over the next few years, which if it continued would lead to a doubling of the population in only 41 years.)

Have RACV giving support for the road, and hear that "big business is also rubbing its hands together" with VoxPops. Hear from the Opposition Leader, who just criticises the funding (they used to be in favour of the tunnel). Environment Victoria is the only VoxPop saying that the tunnel "appears to come at the cost of investments in public transport ..". So very little real opposition to Victoria's road future.

Report on Labor not going ahead with an increase in the Family Tax Benefit didn't make clear how much of this is middle class welfare and how much support for the badly off.

Story on the difficulties of the young getting buying a house. Says that the number of 50 - 65 year olds taking out mortgages has doubled "to buy another property". No follow on about negative gearing or political options. So story really just treated as a 'this is what is happening' story.

Wednesday 8 May:

Lead story is Labor deferring a future tax cut to cushion the effect of the carbon tax.

This is because of the collapse of the European carbon price - due to their economic troubles they are producing less, lowering emissions, and thus lowering their permit price. Note that though their price is low - Europe is still meeting the emissions reductions set by the system. Labor decided to tie our permit price to Europes, meaning that instead of Australia reducing its emissions, it can just buy cheap permits from Europe. It all makes perfect economic sense. There is just the minor problem that though Europe is meeting its reduction targets Australia will not - so Australia will do F. all to reduce its emissions.

Of course we hear from Abbott, but no mention of the big picture of the need to reduce emissions.

In fact rather than talking about climate, the ABC is on about Abbott promising alternative tax cuts. For the ABC who cares about the future climate of the planet - all that is important is short term politics and supporting tax cuts.

The East-West link (Victoria) is all told as a raa-raa for this massive 8 billion dollar road project with the report saying Abbott supports it but Labor's view is unknown.

Rather relevant that the Victorian Liberals talk about a business case but this is secret. As the Opposition originally supported the project, they attack other budget measures. As usual there is no mention of any political opposition to this tunnel - can't have the voters informed of the views of the Greens, can we!

A segment on Road v Rail mentions that roads get almost all the funding. The RACV says that the tunnel will reduce congestion, the premier says it will make a real difference, "but there are, or course, alternatives views" says the voiceover, and The Public Transport Users Association says that "any new road capacity will quickly fill up" and Chris Hale, Uni. Melbourne, says we are going to be "stuck in a congestion cycle". All presented as there are two views - totally ignoring the extensive evidence in Australia and overseas which shows that new roads in a city increase congestion. Like with climate change, the evidence is clear.

Great that the story mentions the push for new rail signalling - rather than the tunnel which is pushed by both Labor and Liberal, the upgrade to signalling will be the cheapest way to make a big difference.

Story on the value of the dollar says that every day US$110 billion worth of the Australian dollar is traded. What a story it would be to look at who is making money out of this and who is paying for it.

Thursday 9 May: (Clarke and Dawe before the news was excellent.)

Lead story (in Victoria) is that Victorian politicians are voting themselves a pay rise of up to 15%. Labor will look at the bills "as with all other bills" and didn't' speak against it. What the Greens think wasn't mentioned (my guess it they would oppose it, and can't have the ABC giving them publicity for such a popular stance).

Abbott talks industrial relations - perhaps not much change (apart from being tougher on Unions).

Story on the problems Australian growers are having selling their fruit says that "Queensland Senator Bob Katter is proposing legislation to slap import duties on overseas products."

The story on the battle in Afghanistan doesn't question what is achieved in the long term or mention any opposition to our troops bein in this war. So yet more raa-raa for our troops from the ABC. (A more recent incident is mentioned - but not much said.)

The news of the referendum on local government has Labor speak, mentions coalition support (and no mention of any other political or other support or discent).

Story on drought in the Mallee - no mention of climate change - lets just pretend that the climate is as it was before, nothing has changed, and certainly nothing is going to get worse in the future.

Friday 10 May:

Main story is the Reserve Bank saying the economy is still slow and will get worse due to high dollar, etc.

Federal Labor has offered State Liberal more money for the rail tunnel. (Never any debate over how best to spend money on public transport - just big rail tunnel or nothing it seems.) State Treasurer says the State Governments contribution to the tunnel would be more than 1.5 billion dollars - but he will not be releasing the business case!

Saturday, 11 May:

Lead story is the action at auctions due to lower interest rates.

The report "Ominous Milestone" says "Carbon dioxide is at the centre of the global warming debate, with scientists linking rising levels to extreme weather events like fires and floods".Greg Combet - Minister for climate change says "We are the largest polluter per person amongst all the advanced economies and we have a responsibly to tackle this issue." Reporter: "But opinion is divided on whether the federal governments current carbon policies go far enough. With an election looming one thing scientist do agree is that a bipartisan approach is needed."

Vox Pop of Adam Bandt at rally urging Abbott to allow a conscience vote on gay marriage.

Sunday, 12 May:

Lead story is on the upcoming budget.

Last Edit: May 12, 2013 21:15:39 GMT 10 by Michael Wilbur-Ham

Michael Wilbur-Ham
Administrator

Posts: 45

7pm ABC TV News May 13, 2013 20:49:13 GMT 10

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Post by Michael Wilbur-Ham on May 13, 2013 20:49:13 GMT 10

Monday, 13 May:

Lead story is charges being laid over a horse race.

After another horse racing story we get to the budget. Swan says it will have 'Labor Values'. Mmmm - like cutting foreign aid to pay for housing asylum seekers. Carr gets away with saying 'it is doing the same thing - housing them here instead of at a refugee centre'. Only rebuttal comes from the Liberals saying Labor can't meet its old targets. No mention of how just a few dollars of well spent aid can save lives whilst we are now spending huge amounts to house each asylum seeker.

Tuesday, 14 May:

Lead story is the budget about to be released. Swan looks terrible. I remember a time when you had to wait for the budget to be released before you knew most of what was in it.

Wednesday, 15 May:

Lead story is "Emotions run high as the disability levy is introduced into parliament".

Summary of the headlines has no VoxPop of Swan on the budget but includes a VoxPop of Abbott saying "they never get it right".

Noteworthy that Mark Simkin says "The increase in the medicare levy is just one of the budget nasties." So even a levy which has the support of the majority of Australians and all politicians is described as "a nasty".

Sally Sara says "Some say that so called middle class welfare" - umm, how else do you describe handouts to the middle class like the baby bonus?

What those who get their news from the ABC News would not know is that under the budget both taxation as a percentage of GDP and total government spending are lower than the last year of the Howard government. Labor is probably going to loose power party because people think they are a high taxing, big spending government. Pity that the ABC doesn't think that the reality is relevant.

Nothing from any non-major party on the budget.

We get Tony Morton from the PTUA criticising state Liberals for promising to fix public transport but instead focussing on a road tunnel that wasn't an election issue. But critically we don't hear any political opposition, eg from The Greens.

And tonight's news says that the 100 million promised to upgrade the Frankston line is actually being used for other lines as well and only $10 million will be spent next year (yet the original announcement got lead story!)

Thursday, 16 May:

Lead story is Abbott promising that 'the tax cuts will stay even if the carbon tax goes'. $4 billion a year to continue carbon tax compensation after this tax is scrapped.

Good report summarising the many spending promises of Abbott but the lack of info on how he will pay for it all.

Last Edit: May 16, 2013 21:37:01 GMT 10 by Michael Wilbur-Ham