Now More than Ever: Australia's ABC

by David Anderson

Disregard the critics. Australia’s ABC, at ninety years of age, is demonstrably more valuable to Australians now than it has ever been. The ABC’s home-grown Managing Director, David Anderson, gives us a rare insight into the ABC he knows a cultural powerhouse where Australian identity is celebrated, democracy is defended, and a very Australian brand of creativity is encouraged to flourish. This is a challenging era for many public broadcasters, with news media consolidation, globalised entertainment streams, and unreliable social media. Yet the ABC has never faltered or lost its on the contrary. This book sets out why Australians turn to their ABC now more than ever for information and news, solace and entertainment, pride and patriotism. Anderson lays out how the ABC will continue to innovate and develop as our essential and beloved national institution over the years leading to its centenary in 2032, and beyond.

96 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Others:
David 2^ Anderson : Mystery, Humor, Comedy
David 3^ Anderson : GR Author, Childrens (see D.F. Anderson)
David 4^ Anderson : GR Author, Horror, Science Fiction, Paranormal
David 5^ Anderson : Pet, Dog
David 6^ Anderson : History, African Studies
David 7^ Anderson : GR Author, Thriller, Suspense, Young Adult

Reviews

[jenna tasovac · Rating 4 out of 5]

ABC I love you so, I genuinely forget how impressive the ABC is and Australia should be so proud of all it has a achieved and the variety of quality service it provides

[MBC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long live the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, this simply wasn't well done. This essay felt like a boomer wearing "hip" clothes trying to get in with the "kids." Also, on pg. 61, trying to argue that "under-fifties" are qualify young listeners to ABC Classic... get real.

I will defend the ABC to the day I die. I think Anderson fell flat because his positivity was hyperbolic and his inclusive language stifling.

"We cannot take it for granted that great Australian stories will automatically be available to us. On the contrary, in a globalised world, dominated by international streaming services led by cashed-up giants... there is a very real risk that Australian stories may be crowded out - even here at home." (15)

"'The ABC has to treat its audience as citizens, not consumers; as people with rights and duties, not just and needs'" (Jim Spigelman, 41)

"Citizenship starts early with the ABC. We are the only broadcaster trusted by education experts around Australia to sit side-by-side with them in the delivery of our children's education." (41)

"It's more important to be accurate with the news than to be the first to publish" (45)

[Susan Wishart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This essay by David Anderson, the Managing Director of the ABC, is one in a series called "In the National Interest" published by Monash University. It gives a good overview of the scope and importance of the ABC to a modern democratic society. As one of the few independent broadcasters in the world it has grown and expanded to meet challenges such as bushfires and Covid by providing well-researched factual and impartial information over a number of platforms across Australia, despite increasing cuts in its budget over recent years. Gone are the days of a service provided to Australians for 8 cents a day; this is now only 4 cents. With continuing pressure from the right wing think tank, The Institute of Public Affairs, to sell it to commercial interests, it is time to reflect on the line from the Joni Michell song "we don't what we've got 'til it's gone"! In my opinion the ABC is an Australian icon well worth fighting for. If you don't want buy this little book, read it on line.

[Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not too much in the way of insights, more a sweeping catalogue of the ABC - both historically and moving forward.