I’ve written before about the launch of pay television’s public affairs channel A-Pac, and what a slap in the face it has been for the ABC’s plans to launch a similar channel.
But how good is A-Pac? I just ran across this post on Syd Walker’s blog which describes how the same event is played again, and again.
After nearly two hours, the show eventually drew to a close. As I reached for the off switch, I realized what was up next: the very same program… played all over again, rather like Mr Rudd’s ‘Force for Good’ mantra. Just in case we missed it the first time…
The entire performance illustrates why Australia’s media regulations are really a joke in bad taste.
Certainly we do need something like C-Span here – on at least one channel. It’s great this channel will carry some of the C-SPAN material direct from the USA. It’s reasonable this particular event was covered too. Why not?
But more generally, what hope is there that the new channel will deliver more real diversity of viewpoints? It’s run by the Australian News Channel which owns and operates Sky News. In other words, it represents yet more media consolidation. It’s not a counter-balance to the News Corp Empire. It’s more of the Empire. Not good enough, Mr Rudd! No complaints from you Mr Turnbull, I presume? Why not?
Is A-Pac more than a blocking move by pay television? Who’s watching it? What do you think?
6 Comments
I’ve dipped in and out and found some occasionally good stuff that lives up to the ‘public affairs’ tag and which otherwise wouldn’t see the light of day. The CSPAN ‘Washington Journal’ is always an interesting insight into the start of another Wasinghton day, complete with its cutouts of main newspaper stories and crank(y) callers. A better program guide would be good. The website is pretty spare. Not entirely convinced yet this is more than lip service to the concept but prepared to reserve judgment for a while longer.
It was the only place to see or hear the fiery debate in Parliament on the stimulus package last night. NewsRadio seems to spend an inordinate amount of time streaming the BBC.
I think its in its early stages and like mattaz patchy but with some good arts. I don’t see how something run by the ABC could necessarily be better at this stage and I don;t see why they have a greater right to do it. Walker’s rant is ridiculous — no mention of the Nabka at the tribute to Frank Lowy? Uh, no. No mention of Darfur, geosequestration, pommegranates , Joaquin Phoenix’s beard, the Watchmen movie or many other utterly unrelated topics too.
There is a “Muslims in Australia post 9/11″ community forum on APAC right now, which is interesting.
I’m with you ‘mattaz’. I will give it more time and do like the Journal. The programme guide stinks – and when are we going to have graphics put up each time a minister speaks, it’s the only way we aussies will get to know our politicians’ names.
I watch it from time to time and don’t mind it actually. I’ve found some of the US political stuff interesting and normally I don’t give US politics the time of day. Some of our senate debates were good to listen to as well.
First, thanks to Margaret Simons for this article her in Crikey. I had no idea that an extract from my own article about A-Pac would be quoted here. Had I known that, I might have shaped it better for this audience.
My main concern – which may not have come through clearly enough in the text – is the current concentration of mass media ownership and control in Australia. News Corp already has so much dominance that any further consolidation, should, in my opinion, be opposed. We should be moving in the other direction.
The consequences of such extreme media concentration of ownership – especially when it’s clear the major players have an agenda – are very serious for our democracy. Understandably, most politicians are scared to raise this issue. Crossing Mr Murdoch is probably regarded as a political death sentence.
Lest anyone say “but editorial decisions are not made by one man – each editor exercises independence” I ask for the name of one Murdoch editor who opposed the (illegal) invasion of Iraq in 2003?
Of course, Amanda is correct that one would not expect the Nakba to be mentioned at Mr Lowy’s tribute dinner. But it is not exactly an irrelevance to his life.
Lowy did, presumably, participate in the gruesome slaying and mass expulsion of Palestinians, as a member of the Haganah and Litani Brigade. To a different audience, without cameras rolling, I imagine it might have been raised as a matter of pride.
For more about the Nakba check out http://www.alnakba.org/chronology/sixth.htm
Forgive my ignorance, but has any Australian journalist covered Lowy’s role in the Nakba, or asked him questions about it? Here are some of the Golani Brigades activities in 1948:
16-17 April
Haganah Golani brigade and Palmach units capture Tiberias as it is evacuated by British. Palestinian inhabitants flee.
10-15 May
Golani brigade occupies Baysan, attacks villages of Baysan Valley south of Lake Tiberias.
24-26 July
IDF Operation Shoter: Carmeli, Alexandroni, and Golani brigades attack and capture three villages of Little Triangle south of Haifa.
22 December-6 January 1949
Operation Horev launched to drive Egyptians out of southern coastal strip and Negev. Asluj and al-’Awja captured. Israeli troops move into Sinai until British pressure forces withdrawal. Golani and Har’el brigades attack on Rafah ended by ceasefire (7 January).