Emeritus Professor Ed Davis, formerly a Professor at MGSM then Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, is the National Vice-President of ABC Friends. He discussed why business should be concerned about the de-funding of the ABC and calls for its privatisation.
The ABC has long played a vital role as part of Australia's social framework, a trusted and enduring voice but now at risk. It is essential for Australian democracy and for the maintenance of a stable economic framework. The influential British economist Maynard Keynes stressed that business thrives where there is social and political stability. This provides the necessary assurance for investment, the motor of market economies.
In real terms, ABC funding has declined by 30% over the past thirty years. As a proportion of federal government expenditure, it has declined from around 0.6% in 1980 to 0.2% today. The ABC plays a major role in holding power to account. Investigative journalism across private sector media is reeling from the flight of advertising from established media to Facebook, Google and other new media. Papers are folding; news rooms are being closed. There is now a shocking concentration of media in Australia, with News Corp providing some 70% of Australian newspapers.
We thank all our attendees and our moderator for this event, Randal Tame.
To watch the video please click here.