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Anon
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'Should the Australian Government consider amending the charters of the ABC and SBS to ensure they provide a contemporary and relevant guide for the organisations on the path to 2020? If so, how?'
I think the charter are well constructed and have sound general core principles. I do not think they need to be amended.
'Is there a role for the national broadcasters to be early adopters of new technologies and program formats?'
Yes, ABC and SBS should lead the way, it's in the charter.
Is there an optimal mix of in-house and outsourced production and, if so, how might it vary across different types of programming?'
It's important that any out-sourcing opportunities are awarded to Australian production companies and not cheaper foreign production companies.
'Is there scope for combining certain parts of the operations of the two national broadcasters that provide for improved operating efficiencies without compromising their separate identities?'
I disagree with the appointment of a common manager and purchaser of transmissions. It is best to keep SBS and ABC as separate as possible in their supply chains and funding models, to ensure their unique flavors are preserved.
Should additional funding options for national broadcasting programs be considered, such as user-pay systems for programs distributed online, or open contracting for public interest content? If so, how might such arrangements operate, and to what types of content should they apply?'
User-pay should not be considered. Anything imaginable is already available free of charge in a digital format. ABC and SBS could lead the way in providing free and legal digital content.