[Read the article now.]
As mentioned in the article, David will be presenting his fourth and final article on the balance and bias of this ABC programme later today.
For example, did you know that of the 690 panel spots offered by Q&A since it began in 2008, 356 of them (51.6%) have been filled by just 71 different people.
Also in the article will be a statement on the show by former political advisor, senior barrister and former chair of the ARM, Greg Barns. Here is a snippet:
"I am told Q&A is less likely to have you on if, like me, you live outside Sydney, because they have to pay your travel! So it sacrifices quality and national diversity for a few dollars savings."
David will also be reviewing tonight's show, which features a run-down of the Queensland state election — but no actual Queensland State politicians. Featured on the show will be Federal Labor Minister Craig Emerson, for the 10th time; Liberal front bencher George Brandis, his 8th appearance; former Liberal staffer Grahame Morris, (4th app), Greens Senator Larissa Waters (2nd) and one new face, Victorian Labor lawyer Liberty Sanger, the wife of Victorian Labor Senator David Feeney (no apps).
He will also be looking at the way the ABC Q&A program has attracted controversy virtually since its inception in 2008, due to the way it acts to enforce the status quo, rather than promote meaningful debate about important issues. It will also feature an interesting comparison with the UK's public broadcaster, the BBC.
The new story will be coming up mid-afternoon today; keep watching this space.
In the meantime, read the other stories in this series along with the original research:
- http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/abc-adventures-in-autocracy/
- http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/media-2/abc-adventures-in-autocracy-research-and-report/
- http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/republic/an-abc-qanda-case-study/
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