Do elites rule at the ABC?

So to turn on ABC is to get feminism, pushed at us in one program after another, on ABC news, in commentary, and in music. One of these might be excusable. One of them might make sense. But put them all together and it looks like an ideological crusade. Pleasant for some inner-city characters to see, but for the rest of us, no. Australians as a whole are not committed to this form of ideological, doctrinaire feminism. Nor should 'our' ABC.

Climate change

This is a scientific subject and somewhat beyond my expertise. But I understand that there are two competing arguments. One says that we must keep mining and exporting coal. Communities like Singleton and Muswellbrook were recently featured on ABC News as places reliant on mining for jobs and export value. But the other argument, towards fossil fuels being phased out, does seem to get more attention on the ABC. I understand there are strong views on both sides.

Australians are racist

This attitude permeates much of the discussion in progressive circles today. There is hardly ever a thoughtful examination of why the White Australia Policy came about in labour circles and why the first act of the national Parliament was to pass the Immigration Act. Instead, people of a progressive bent fall over themselves trying to identify themselves as not racist, and hasten to condemn anyone whose thoughts or actions might be characterised as such. Treatment of race in countries like Brazil or the USA certainly needs careful and thoughtful treatment. But progressive thinking has been far too ready to condemn any semblance of intolerance among Australians. And thus on the ABC Muslims are held up as somehow virtuous because they are Muslims. In any discussion of multiculturalism or tolerance you can be sure to see women with Muslim headgear. ABC panel shows routinely bring out female Muslims. You do have to wonder how this sits comfortably with the feminist doctrines espoused elsewhere - women should be free from oppression from men, should be allowed to do as they wish, wear what they choose and so on. Meanwhile Muslim malesbarely appear on ABC TV, except perhaps as criminals, thugs and such. ABC would do well to guard some of its enthusiastic producers from crusading against ordinary, white-skinned Australians living a peaceful life in country or city. There is nothing inherently evil in them just because they are white.

Rural Australia

I'm not well placed to discuss ABC attitudes to rural Australia. I've lived in Wagga, Armidale , Wollongong and lately the inner city. But it is hard to please all the people in this diverse country with so many differences, so many climates and so many cultural diversities. AFL is far more popular in the country towns of Western Australia and Queensland than it is in Sydney, clearly. Balancing the different, perhaps contradictory interests of people in this huge nation is a challenge, to say the least.

Conclusion

No doubt Mr Morris' comments will receive wide attention. On one hand, progressive and educated people will be saying 'shock, horror. This is dreadful, you are giving ammunition to our enemies'. On the other, much of the media (and much of it is controlled by Murdoch) will be saying 'See? We told you so. It's exactly what we said over and over'. I have tried to give an honest and thoughtful account and to reflect many truths. I write confident of contradiction.

Yes, much of our media is trivial and silly. To see how commercial TV blasts junk food and gambling ads at us is a worry. But the ABC wants to maintain its lofty aim of being better than this. It wants to be nationally-beloved and above politics. It proclaims its independence and gives us tedious promotions telling us how wonderful it is. It could do well to take out some of its promos, silliest comedy programs and unfunny funny segments. It needs to work harder to capture the voices of a wide slew of Australians. A slice of the old "Backchat" which broadcast people's voices. Not just the few, whoever they are. That is a challenge. But not impossible.