Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
J Bar · CC BY 3.0 · source
Name	Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Type	Statutory authority
Country	Australia
Headquarters	Ultimo, Sydney
Key people	Ita Buttrose (Chair), David Anderson (MD)
Launch date	1 July 1932
Former names	Australian Broadcasting Commission

Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is Australia's national public broadcaster, founded in 1932 as the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Funded primarily by the Australian government, it provides comprehensive radio, television, and online services across the nation and internationally. The corporation is governed by a board appointed by the Governor-General and operates under the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983.

History

The organisation began as the Australian Broadcasting Commission on 1 July 1932, taking over from the privately owned Australian Broadcasting Company which managed services for the Postmaster-General's Department. Its early development was significantly influenced by the model of the British Broadcasting Corporation. Key milestones include the commencement of television services in Sydney and Melbourne in 1956, coinciding with the 1956 Summer Olympics, and the transition to colour television in 1975. The corporation was transformed into its current statutory authority structure by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 under the Hawke government, changing from a commission to a corporation. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its reach with the launch of FM radio services like Triple J and the establishment of the Australia Network for international broadcasting.

Services

The broadcaster operates a vast array of services across multiple platforms. Its television portfolio includes the primary ABC TV channel, ABC TV Plus, the children-oriented ABC Me, and the news channel ABC News. National radio networks include ABC Radio National, ABC NewsRadio, and music stations like Triple J and ABC Classic. It maintains a strong digital presence through ABC Online, which encompasses major digital services like ABC iview for video-on-demand and the ABC listen app. The corporation also runs the ABC Australia television channel for international audiences and provides services in multiple languages, including for Indigenous Australians through networks like ABC Indigenous.

Governance and funding

The corporation is governed by a board, whose members, including the Chair, are appointed by the Governor-General on advice from the federal government, as stipulated in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983. The board appoints the Managing Director, currently David Anderson, as the chief executive officer. Primary funding is provided through a triennial allocation from the Parliament of Australia, detailed in the federal budget. This is supplemented by revenue from its commercial arm, ABC Commercial, which manages content sales and publishing. The funding model and editorial independence are frequently subjects of discussion during Senate Estimates hearings and have been reviewed by bodies like the Australian National Audit Office.

Content and programming

The broadcaster is renowned for its comprehensive news and current affairs coverage from programs like 7.30 and Australian Story, alongside flagship international analysis on Foreign Correspondent. It is a major producer of Australian drama, comedy, and children's content, with iconic series such as Bluey, Kath & Kim, and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Its documentary output includes acclaimed series from Natural History Unit and science programming like Catalyst. The corporation also holds significant archives through ABC Archives and supports the arts through broadcasts of performances by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and partnerships with institutions like the National Film and Sound Archive.

Controversies and criticisms

The broadcaster has faced numerous controversies regarding its perceived political bias, with criticism often coming from figures within the Liberal Party and media commentators from outlets like The Australian. Notable incidents include the 2013 dispute over its reporting on Operation Sovereign Borders, which led to a raid by the Australian Federal Police on its Ultimo headquarters, and the 2018 dismissal of managing director Michelle Guthrie by the board chaired by Justin Milne. Its editorial decisions, such as the broadcasting of allegations by Witness K, and its satire on programs like The Chaser have also sparked significant public and political debate. Funding cuts by successive governments, including the Abbott government, have repeatedly raised concerns about its operational capacity.

International operations

Internationally, the corporation operates the ABC Australia television channel, broadcasting news, drama, and entertainment across the Asia-Pacific region. It maintains a strong presence through its global news service, ABC News, with correspondents in major hubs like London, Washington, D.C., and Beijing. The broadcaster is an active member of global public media alliances, including the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and Public Media Alliance. While the government-funded Australia Network service ceased in 2014, the corporation continues international content distribution and co-productions with partners like the British Broadcasting Corporation and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Category:Australian Broadcasting Corporation Category:Public broadcasters