Science Blog

Latest entry

Specialist reporting takes another dive

Peter Pockley, Science Writer & Broadcaster (Founding Head of ABC Science Unit).
30 October 2008

It is rare for the interests of religion and science to be joined in a common cause, but the decisions of the middle management of ABC responsible for Radio National to axe nine programs from the 2009 schedule has catalysed a furious reaction from listeners.

They have valued highly the regular programs emanating from the small groups of specialist broadcasters who have weathered previous storms and creeping cuts of air-time, staffing and general support. The trigger for the protests was the announcement, “live” to air by Stephen Crittenden, that his weekly “Religion Report” was being dropped. Most of the letters to newspapers and the ABC have heavily criticised this particular move, but Crittenden also joined the other specialist programs, including science, as companions facing the axe.

Among them is the splendid and engaging “In Conversation”, half an hour of long interviews with scientists by Robyn Williams on Thursday nights. Australian society and the scientific community will be much the poorer for this loss of a humanising outlet that complements “The Science Show” on Saturdays. ABC management has simply lost the plot with this and accompanying decisions which warrant reversal, despite loss of face.

Management has been trying to deny the criticisms that they are “dumbing down” RN by diminishing the specialist programs, but they have form on this, not least in the science area. The Science Unit, formed in 1965, has survived over four decades but it is a shadow of its former highly innovative and productive self as programs and staff have been slashed to the bare bones. Management axed a technology program before demolishing “Earthbeat”, a program on environmental issues which like so many programs from the Unit led the Australian media with independent and authoritative reportage and contextual exposure of major emerging issues. Earthbeat’s demise three years ago inevitably saw its talented producer/presenter (Alexander de Blas) leave the ABC.

It is galling that Robyn Williams saw all this coming 12 years ago when he wrote a whole book defending the value of public broadcasting (“Normal Service Won’t Be Resumed, Allen & Unwin). At the time the ABC was suffering savage cuts from the first Budget of the Howard government. Williams argued his case from the springboard of specialist broadcasters. Support for Crittenden and his program has come from countless individuals as well as powerful representatives like the collective Catholic bishops. The scientific community of Australia was instrumental in persuading the then Commission of the ABC to establish science broadcasting as an ongoing speciality. Now it is up to them – individually and institutionally – to match the bishops with a determined defence of all current science programs, arguing for their extension not extinction.

-------------

Comment

Archive

If you are a scientist and wish to contribute to this Science Blog, please contact the AusSMC.
Comments received are moderated by the AusSMC and placement cannot be guaranteed.

The opinions expressed in this Science Blog are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Science Media Centre.