More money no answer for ABC

We could have done without ABC chair Kim Williams straying into political commentary with an assessment of Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy policy. But on his core business, Mr Williams is showing that he recognises that the national broadcaster needs a better and clearer sense of direction.

In a speech in Melbourne on Wednesday night, Mr Williams outlined his plans for renewal of the national broadcaster. The ABC, he said, needed “a greater understanding of the wants and behaviours of our audiences, and some tough assessments about whether we are fulfilling our audiences’ needs, interests and aspirations to the extent we should be”.

Mr Williams singled out the need for “a renewed Radio National” to uphold the ABC’s “purpose and intellectual ambition”. The ABC’s radio arm has suffered a sharp decline in ratings over the past two years, a sign it is missing the mark with audiences. He is yet to enact it but we also agree with Mr Williams’s view: “If you don’t want to reflect a view that aspires to impartiality, don’t work at the ABC.”

Beneficial as they would be if done properly, the improvements Mr Williams proposes do not justify the increase in funding he wants for the organisation.

The current $1.1bn in taxpayer money each year is already a substantial public investment. Better leadership, especially editorial leadership, is the key to reform.