Australia: Government: ABC SBS Review Digital Economy

Pfft. It’ll never catch on… (image: Duke.edu)

You’ve got until THIS Friday to have your say. That’s the way it works, don’t shoot me, I’m just the messenger:

On 16 October 2008, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced the release of a discussion paper aimed at stimulating ideas and comments about the future roles of Australia’s two national broadcasters, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).

If you know what you want to say, say it on the government site. Not sure? Then have a look at the PDF background info.

Actually the ABC has some points to consider:

The ABC and Australia’s Future

The Towards a Digital Future discussion paper outlines the key issues facing public broadcasting, with a series of questions that include:

• How should the ABC fulfil its charter requirement to provide “comprehensive broadcasting services” in a multichannel, multiplatform media environment?
• Should the ABC Charter be amended to ensure it is relevant, looking forward to 2020?
• Are there opportunities for the ABC to use new delivery platforms such as broadband internet to more effectively provide universal access?
• What is the role of the ABC in promoting Australia’s cultural identity?
• What role should the ABC play in provision of children’s content and should there be a separate children’s channel?
• How might the ABC use new technology and platforms to enable Australians to be informed at local and national level?
• Should the ABC expand its international services and if so, in what form?
• Is there scope for combining parts of the ABC and SBS operations to improve operating efficiencies, without compromising their separate identities?

There’s also Managing Director Mark Scott’s letter. So you can have your say.