PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
PARTIAL TRANSCRTPT OF INTERVIEW ON 2HD -NEWCASTLE
12 APRIL 1984
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
QUESTION: What's your comment on something like Nationwide?
Well I have to be careful that I'm not misrepresented
in what I say. There has been a misrepresentation of things
I was reported to have said in Caucus. I have made no
threat and would not make any threat to the independence
of the ABC. But I insist tliaL peopic must understand
that independence in the ABC does not mean immunity from
criticism. There is no doubt in my judgement that there
is ground for concern about bias in the ABC over recent
periods. I am concerned about that. If the " kC wiuhes
to talk to me about it as I understand they may do at their
initiative I would talk to them. I am not seeking to impose
any threat or any censorship upon them. But it does seem to
me that if you have an organisation which is publicly funded
and is independent, as it must be, then they have to be
very careful that they meet the expectations of the public
that they are independent. This doesn't mean in any sense
that there cannot be programs criticising government. Of
course there can be and must be. But there is a pattern of bias
towards a particular view that has been apparent in parts of the
ABC. QUESTION: Would you probably debate that on the ABC with say
their management and one of their Board.
You don't handle these things by a public debate. But
as I say there is some indication that management and the Board
may like to talk with me and if it's their wish that talks
take place then I would-be prepared to explain objectively
to them the basis for the view, not merely that I have but
very many people have on that point, and then would hope that
they Would look at that evidence and try to work it through
themselves. But I insist, the point I am making, is that
there is no way that this Government will try to exercise
financial pressure of any threatening kind on the ABC. That
is not the way I operate.