Murdoch's only real interest is No.1
SMH Alan Knight 12 July 2011
Giving Sky the Australia Network contract could hurt the nation's image.
Watching the Australia Network is a bit like sitting next to an Australian diplomat at an Asian dinner party. It's mostly informed, often intelligent and entertaining, yet cautious and constrained. It can be a tad too stuffy as the party hots up.
The Australia Network was established by the Howard government in 2001 to extend Australian influence in Asia. Using satellite, local re-broadcasters and the internet, it transmits 24/7 to more than 44 countries and is currently run by the ABC. The contract to operate it has been contested this year by a commercial consortium, Sky News.
The Australia Network says it seeks "to provide a television and digital service that informs, entertains and inspires our audience with a uniquely Australian perspective". What that has meant is that it has been effectively overseen by the mandarins at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
What it really offers is a sprinkling of ABC entertainment and information programs, leavened by commercial soapies and English language learning. It is really just ABC-rather-light. In fact, if international television broadcasters were placed on a scale with those featuring high-quality news, current affairs and documentaries at one end and soft program mixes at the other, the BBC and al-Jazeera would be among the heaviest hitters and China's anodyne state television and the rather pedestrian Australia Network would be at the bottom.
By comparison, Sky News seems hard core. A study last year of international television showed Sky News programming consisted almost entirely of news bulletins. But a closer look showed these were heavily padded with sport, and its customary mix of calculated subjectivity, prurient celebrity and commercial huckstering.
No comments:
Post a Comment