ABC ‘Sydneyfication’ continues with Stateline rethink

The ABC has been accused of further abandoning regional and state-based journalism after refusing to stand by its promise of a digital-first Stateline current affairs program.

Former ABC 730 Report presenter and journalist Judy Tierney said it ­appeared the broadcaster was continuing a ‘Sydney, Canberra-centric’ path.

The ABC has been accused of further abandoning regional and state-based journalism after refusing to stand by its promise of digital-first Stateline current ­affairs programs.

Sources have told The Australian the national broadcaster has decided to walk away from its June promise to fund the Stateline initiative.

ABC management refused to comment on the leak, or to recommit to the initiative, which it ­referred to as a “proposal”. “The ABC has no update on this proposal,” a spokesman said.

Sources said the announcement in June was made without full budget and resource consideration and management had ­decided to quietly “drop it and hope no one notices”.

Defenders of regional and state-based journalism, including federal MPs and former ABC stalwarts, are horrified at the apparent about-face, which fuels concern the “Sydneyfication” of the ­national broadcaster continues unabated.

“Many people will be deeply disappointed if the ABC abandons its commitment to a digital version of Stateline,” said Andrew Wilkie, independent MP for the Hobart-based seat of Clark.

“People living in regional, rural and remote Australia are just as important as those living in the ­cities. So, too, their stories are just as valuable and deserve to be told.

“Quality local journalism is an important ingredient of regional Australia, and delivering this should be a fundamental responsibility of the national broadcaster. To abandon digital Stateline would be to abandon this responsibility and give weight to the criticism of the ABC being Sydney-centric.”

It appeared to be the latest in a long line of blows to smaller city journalism at the ABC.

“The ABC building in Hobart is a case study in the decline of regional media,” Mr Wilkie said.

“Whereas once the sprawling two-storey building was crammed with the ABC, nowadays its home to about nine other tenants including some of the ABC’s competitors.”

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

On June 16, ABC management announced: “ABC News will be ­investing in elevating our scrutiny of state and territory issues with a new, digital-first version of Stateline.

“Stateline will focus on the areas that matter most to local ­audiences – such as cost of living, health, education, safety and transport – with long-form video journalism and explainers and feature big, probing set-piece ­interviews with key figures.

“Stateline will be available on-demand to digital and social audiences and via ABC iview and also form part of an extended Friday 7PM News bulletin for broadcast audiences.”

Sources suggested that budget constraints, including a decision not to proceed with a cash-saving single, nationwide Sunday 7pm night TV news, had prompted the rethink.

One source suggested the fate of Stateline was still being discussed; others say the axe had already fallen.

Former award-winning Hobart-based ABC 7.30 presenter and journalist Judy Tierney said it ­appeared the broadcaster was continuing a “Sydney, Canberra-centric” path.

“Hello Sydney, do you truly think we BAPH outposts – Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart – are not aware of the stealthy ­erosion of our local news and current affairs units?” Ms Tierney said.

“This shrinkage of state based story output has been going on for years and you keep grinding away at it hoping we won’t notice.

“How can we keep our state politicians, business leaders, etc. answerable to the people in this bailiwick without the means to do it thoroughly and immediately?

“How can we report what’s ­important to us but find it smothered by Sydney/Canberra centric ‘priority’.

“Over the years Hobart has nurtured some of the finest investigative journalists and camera crews in the country. A skeleton remains. We don’t deserve your patronising contempt.”

An ABC spokesman defended the broadcaster’s commitment to regional and state-based journalism. “The ABC operates the largest media network across rural and regional Australia, employing 600 staff outside of the capital cities with a footprint taking in 58 ­regional locations,” he said.

“No other media organisation has anywhere near this level of commitment to regional, remote and rural Australia or delivers the range of media services they require, especially during emergencies such as significant weather events and other emergencies.

“This means more stories, better coverage and specialist reporting on issues that matter to people living in the regions … In Tasmania, our recent focus on lengthy public health waiting lists for specialists forcing people into the private system had high levels of engagement from audiences.”