13 February 2006

ABC treads cautiously around cartoons


Tonight's Media Watch on ABC TV spent some time discussing THE cartoons. Like almost all of the local media, it did not show them, though Monica Attard (the presenter) did read this letter from Russell Balding, the ABC Managing Director, explaining its reasons, which included having regard to freedom of expression, the ABC's role as an independent public broadcaster, the public interest, safety and security of ABC personnel and "our responsibility to treat all sections of society with respect" (whatever that means). Apart from reading the letter Ms Attard kept her lips sealed, yet her body language suggested that she might not entirely agree with her boss's edict.

The Media Watch website does however have a digest of links to Australian and international sites, including several which have published the cartoons, and reasons from other Australian media outlets for their decisions (or lack thereof).

No comments: