ABC kids’ TV shows should not be cut to help trim the Federal Government budget, a Deakin University children’s media expert says.
Calls for ABC3 to be sold or curbed would deny children an important diversity of programs not readily available otherwise, Leonie Rutherford has stated on The Conversation opinion website.
Arguing against a call by the Centre for Independent Studies against the iconic kids TV channel, Ms Rutherford said alternatives were “not easily imported from overseas due to specific cultural nuances”.
She challenged a CIS report claiming there was “no cogent reason” to use taxpayer funds to compete with other taxpayer-funded broadcasters or duplicate content “easily found elsewhere”.
“Poor advertising revenues make it unprofitable for commercial networks to invest in a large range of children’s content,” she said.
The ABC was required under its charter to reflect Australia’s cultural diversity and contribute to a sense of national identity, Ms Rutherford said.
“Such programming is far from easily available elsewhere.”
Ms Rutherford said the CIS’ assumption that professional quality internet content was free needed to be carefully considered.
“If illegal downloads are excluded, the availability of linear entertainment content (streamed video) and supposedly ‘free’ games and apps are dependent on the business models of broadcast or subscription media enterprises, whether commercial or public service, she said.
“That means advertising, paid subscriptions or taxpayer subsidies.
“The ‘free’ content is exclusively of North American origin and is preceded by ‘must-watch’ advertisements for energy-dense-nutrient-poor foods and toys.
“Quality children’s programming online or on-demand is either located behind a subscription paywall that excludes three quarters of Australian children, or is provided as a catch-up service by the public broadcasters.”
LINK: theconversation.com/au
