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Kim Williams pledges “new life” into News, Documentary & “serious” Drama

In his latest speech as ABC Chair, Kim Williams said ABC must acknowledge its flaws but looks to a renewed future for three TV content areas.

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ABC Chair Kim Williams has committed the broadcaster to new energy and purpose in News, Documentary and “serious” Drama.

Yesterday delivering the 2024 John Monash Oration, presented by the General Sir John Monash Foundation in Sydney he noted a Reuters Institute study which found 40% of respondents say that they trust most news, down from 50 per cent in 2018.

But it found 64% trust in the ABC.

“People trust the ABC because we earn their trust through our professionalism and objectivity and observe standards of public accountability,” he said.

“These characteristics should be a feature of ABC content wherever it is found. Whether it is on our television, radio or digital platforms or indeed, on social media providers where the ABC will go to find new audiences.

“We need to do all we can as a nation to reinvest in the sources of the truth – newsrooms and documentary production – because truth and knowledge aren’t optional extras for Australian democracy, they are essential to it.

“New ideas are needed to restore the commercial health of our commercial newsrooms. It’s my hope that they succeed. Nine. Seven. News Corp. The smaller independent players like Schwartz and Crikey. All are vital parts of our democracy.

“The ABC is not in opposition to commercial newsrooms, we are in an alliance with them to create an informed democratic citizenry. An alliance of complementary viewpoints and emphases that together provide the basis for a sound democratic debate.

“The commercial broadcasters can be helped by good government policy – something I strongly support. Sadly, recent attempts – like the agreements with Meta to ensure advertising revenues are shared fairly with content providers – haven’t totally succeeded. But we can’t give up.”

Williams, who has previously advocated for News & Current Affairs, Docos, Drama, Comedy, Arts, and Childrens TV noted ABC has faced funding declines in real terms.

“If we are serious about improving the ABC, its flaws must be acknowledged. However, I believe the ABC is a capable vital contributor to the thought landscape and will be so even more, with better investment. Its journalists are capable of remarkable work – they have demonstrated it time and again. And in turn, Australians are capable of almost anything,” he continued.

“My intention – one I sense has the instinctive support of Australia’s citizens – is to inject new life, new pride, new purpose and higher intellectual intent into the news, discussion and documentary side of the ABC.

“I extend this to serious drama too – because serious drama focuses citizens on the big, vital issues of the times, gets them discussing, arguing, seeing things from new angles, and recognising what they have in common. Great drama has of course done that since the invention of theatre in classical Athens.

“Only real effort to up the energy of serious journalism and reach out to the majority wherever they live, whatever their level of education, can give us the level of re-engagement in democratic debate that we so crucially need.”

5 Responses

  1. … not quite sure what Kim means by “serious drama” … all Australian drama aired on the ABC these days is commissioned from outside production companies and majority funded by Screen Australia and the various state funding bodies, all of whom have to make a return on their investment which predominantly means overseas sales, which, in turn, means compromises have to be made … that means the kind of “serious drama” that the ABC used to make when it was done in house is no longer an option …

  2. ABC viewers trust the ABC 7pm news, because they have been watching every night for 50 years. It is very much a Teal News these days. SBS is much better though recently they are revoicing BBC news stories so money must be tight.

  4. Despite whatever flaws Kim Williams thinks it has, for television and radio in Australia, the ABC is still just about the best thing going. Save from a few programs and special events, commercial TV has become almost unwatchable, leaving ABC and SBS the only real FTA options. For news, the editorial priorities of ABC and SBS are far less hysterical and tabloid than those of the commercial networks. And ABC news doesn’t suffer the reputational damage of those with heavy political biases such as Sky News ‘after dark’. Let’s see what Kim Williams does with our ABC.

    1. Well said..I’m downtown to 2 FTA..ABC and SBS. Although I’m not a fan of adults trying to spell or what people might take with them if disaster strikes and celebrity quizz shows. I find the ABC and SBS have some good dramas and documentaries. I only watch Seven News at 6 and Ten when Law and Order SVU is on..Seven, Nine, and Ten reality shows just compete against each other, most are similar format that have been recycled, rehashed, and the hype surrounding those shows I find put OTT too…most of their dramas end up on Foxtel or streaming services anyway. As for Sky News all they do is recycle the same bias and bigoted opinions with guests that are aligned with them. I hope Mr Williams can get the message and put more up to date shows on Entertain as well..because reruns of ER, Fresh of the Boat, Gavin and Stacey, My Family.. I find do not “entertain” anymore…

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