New technologies and the ABC

ABC managers may be tempted to see these technological developments as revenue raisers by:

• restricting archive material;
• imposing a fees for download; and
• creating password access.

Conclusion

Mark Scott is right that digital production must move from the margins to the centre of ABC operations. It follows that terrestrial and even satellite distribution, which can be expected to continue in the foresee-able future, will become less important in communicating with younger, computer savvy audiences.

It also follows that moves to charge fees for downloadable services would increasingly undermine the ABC as a public-owned source of information, education and entertainment. Moves by ABC management to effectively privatise online services may make short term economic sense. However, such a move could be expected to leave free services to a shrinking and technically obsolete sector.

The ABC is still Australia's most important cultural institution, delivering an incomparable mix of news, information, drama, education, music and entertainment. But the mainstream monopoly on mass communication has been atomised by the Internet. To remain relevant to younger audiences and fend off politicians who put tax cuts before services, the ABC needs to expand rather than restrict online offerings which should be free and accessible to all.