Glenys Stradijot Friends of the ABC (Vic) office Campaign Manager Ph: +61 3 9682 0073 Ph: +61 3 9525 5717 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mobile 0409 11 0411 PO Box 2103, StKilda West 3182 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Email is not checked daily. If a matter is urgent pls phone. _________________________________________________________________________ Media Release : ABC Betrays Public if it Proceeds with The Kids Kingdom Theme Park Venture Friends of the ABC thought ideas for ABC Disney-style ventures went with the disgraced Managing Director, Jonathan Shier, who engaged the services of former Disney executive, Keith Bales, back in 2000. "Tacky and dangerous, an action which would seriously damage the ABC's reputation if it proceeds," is how Terry Laidler, a Friends of the ABC spokesperson described the ABC's involvement in the children's theme park planned for the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds and Flemington Racecourse. "The ABC's integrity lies in its independence. The broadcaster has earned public confidence and respect because it does not sell cars to adults or lollies to children", said Terry Laidler. "FABC recognises that the ABC is struggling for funds. But joining in ventures, or selling its creations and trusted name to a commercial operation to make money out of children, is unethical and downright dangerous. "If the ABC Board allows this scheme to proceed, it will be a betrayal of the public's trust in the broadcaster's integrity. It will undermine the esteem in which the community holds the ABC. "And, with the spurious excuse that the ABC can earn its own money, the government will withdraw further from its responsibility to fund the broadcaster. "The ABC is the national broadcaster - a major producer of independent information and culture in Australia. The public broadcaster exists to produce quality programming for the community. It is not a business, and was not established to make money out of our children." Friends of the ABC is calling on the ABC Board to immediately renounce its plans for ABC involvement in the children's theme park venture. Ends. Further Comment: Terry Laidler, a Friends of the ABC spokesperson 0412 363 699 Further information: Glenys Stradijot (03) 9525 5717 or 0409 11 04 11 -- Visit the proposed Leftlink web site at http://www.leftlink.net/ -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
