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1. Re Alan Jones, here’s how a LABOR Govt ended accountability to the people of recipients of PUBLIC broadcasting licences.
In late 1980s I reported the 2nd Australian Broadcasting Tribunal’s inquiry into whether Alan Bond was ‘a fit & proper person’ to own Nine’s TV licence.
In late 1980s I reported the 2nd Australian Broadcasting Tribunal’s inquiry into whether Alan Bond was ‘a fit & proper person’ to own Nine’s TV licence.
2. Sir Joh sued Nine for defamation, and Bond paid him $400,000. An ABT inquiry cleared him of corruption.
Then Jana Wendt, host of Nine’s A Current Affair, obtained an admission from Bond that he paid Sir Joh in exchange for a promise that he could keep doing business in Qld.
Then Jana Wendt, host of Nine’s A Current Affair, obtained an admission from Bond that he paid Sir Joh in exchange for a promise that he could keep doing business in Qld.
3. The ABT announced a 2nd inquiry - bloody obvious Bond witnesses lied in the first. I’d been in Sydney, so scared, so out of my depth, for a little while, and wanted to go home.
No one wanted to cover the 2nd inquiry, ‘cause everyone thought it would be a boring whitewash.
No one wanted to cover the 2nd inquiry, ‘cause everyone thought it would be a boring whitewash.
4. Being a Qlder I wanting to do my bit. Iread the transcript of the first inquiry, realised if the ABT was for real this was lit, and offered to cover the 2nd inquiry.
Folks, I pioneered reporting of inquiries which compared/contrasted evidence from former evidence - straight.
Folks, I pioneered reporting of inquiries which compared/contrasted evidence from former evidence - straight.
5. I took big hits from subeditors, & Bond’s QC Alex Shand, who said I was under instruction from JA, the SMH editor in chief, known to be a Packer man. Crikey, it was all me, fighting every day to get truth in the paper as subs insisted - just report what they say on the day.
6. I got a deep throat (not in the ABT) which allowed me to lead in terms of how deep the shit Bond was in - if the ABT didn’t cave to the big end of town. Folks, that story got me - who knew nothing of politics - down to Canberra. Smh bureau chief Mike Steketee got me there.
7. Had a confrontation with the chief sub, John Sharp, in the pub one night. He said I wasn’t obeying the rules (every time the subs subbed my careful words Shand creamed me) and I threw a beer in his face and resigned, by passionate letter.
The Oz offered me a job.
The Oz offered me a job.
Oz (editor Frank Devine) offered me more &.SMH COS Paul McGeough offered me diligent care of my copy to return. No contest :)
I reported on more potential corruption in broadcasting licences, eg Skase, but I went to Canberra, dumped into another really weird world for journos.
I reported on more potential corruption in broadcasting licences, eg Skase, but I went to Canberra, dumped into another really weird world for journos.
9. Broadcasting snaked with illegality. Deirdre O’Connor found Bond unfit to hold a licence. Public interest? A public officer takes on the big end of town with leverage over politicians? Communications Minister Beazley steered through deregulation, so people had no power
10. I recalled this when saw @mediawatchabc Monday on latest Jones suggestion that a woman be murdered for her political views. @TheRealPBarry didn’t mention the broadcasting ‘regulator’ @acmadotgov ‘cause it’s got NOTHING to say. Self regulation FFS.
acma.gov.au
acma.gov.au
11. Instead, he focused on social media accounts marshalling THE PEOPLE to keep PUBLIC BROADCASTING clean. To do the job the bloody Govt on our behalf should be doing.
And to inform us PETER COSTELLO saved Jones. Of course.
abc.net.au/mediawatch/epi…
And to inform us PETER COSTELLO saved Jones. Of course.
abc.net.au/mediawatch/epi…
12. And now the ABC has Jones on. Without constraints, as a result of which, due to my horrified protest, I am banned from appearing on #notmy ABC.
13 I’ve been around a long time. Backwards we go, pissed off we are, what next? ENDS
14: PPS: When public broadcasting licences were considered PUBLIC, licence holders had a 3 yearly ‘fit & proper’ review, when egregious stuff litigated & undertakings made. Liberal & Labor betrayed the people by dealing the people out of play. So now the people are playing. ENDS
15. PPPS: I asked John Anderson once why he said yes to John Laws. If I don’t he hits me, hard. So Laws had the power. Unelected power. Which pollies are now on Jones - journos, ask why.? Which so-called reps have the courage to say no & trust we back ‘em? Will anyone report?
16: memories... Well into ABT’s PUBLIC inquiry into Bond (can you believe it?) deputy biz editor Robert Whitehead rang to say the big boys would take over - cause it’s now big. political?
No. I was in Qld reporting #qldvotes. I kept the gig. How? Whoever backed me, thank you.
No. I was in Qld reporting #qldvotes. I kept the gig. How? Whoever backed me, thank you.
17. I wasn’t happy in Canberra first stint under Milton Cockburn & applied to be Jana Wendt’s researcher, for fun. ACA blokes said no - she insisted. Best collaboration I’ve experienced. She knew facts & context. I suggested how to play. All her political interviews made news.
18. Oh. I’m reviewing my life as I care for my mother and comprehend hers, a little. So big. Over and out for a while.
