The third in a series of interviews with supporters of ABC Friends to explore their experiences and views of the ABC and ABC Friends.

Peter Brain is a leading economist and the Founder and Director (still) of the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR). He is a long-time member of and donor to ABC Friends.

In the beginning …

I was raised in an ABC radio household, with early memories of Dad listening to the Country Hour. I came back to listening to ABC Radio at university in the late sixties, particularly with AM and PM, and became a rusted on listener and watcher (news, current affairs, and British crime) in my 30s. I have watched virtually only ABC and SBS and listened to virtually only Radio National for the past 50 years.

I’m hooked on …

The connectivity I get all day on Radio National, and each evening with the perfect combination of ABC TV (local) and SBS (global) coverage. News and current affairs, Insight, Dateline, Global Roaming, Late Night Live, Life Matters. Podcasts are great for catching up when walking or driving. Radio National is God’s gift to humanity. I’m not interested in social media.

The ABC is really good for …

Above all, Radio National and ABC podcasts. So much can be learned so quickly. Some of the current affairs programs on the ABC and SBS are unique and outstanding. 4 Corners and AM/PM are world class. The impact of Radio National goes way beyond its actual audience – it is part of our adult education infrastructure.

I’d like to see more of …

Programs that engage the broad community, particularly the young. Programs that accelerate the life transition from listening to and watching crap media to actively seeking out quality media. Australian programs that can be sold overseas (some local is too local). More backgrounding before interviewing. More John Lyons, Norman Swan and Casey Briggs and all those brilliant women. More programs like the Drum and Q&A. More Landline and programs for country people.

I’d like to see less of …

Attack dog “gotcha” interviews on 7.30. Cringeworthy comedies. Sloppy bland reporting of national news.

Advice to the ABC …

Add value to our lives and increase audience understanding. Find key talent that can explain controversial matters clearly and succinctly. Don’t copy SBS and the commercials. Pursue the level of automatic credibility of, say, the Financial Times or New York Times. Leverage the current AI-driven opportunity to improve productivity by bringing on board redundant talent.

I joined ABC Friends because …

The ABC is in a race for survival against Murdoch and the anti-ABC alliance and we are in an existential political fight to protect the pillars of our democracy (AEC, ABC). Ideologues refuse to consider facts they don’t like so they accuse the ABC of bias when it is actually accurate and impartial. I want to help Friends take them on.

ABC Friends is good for …

The local groups seem to run interesting events and they campaign well. I think Friends newsletters may be going to junk mail – I will check. I would like to be contacted more and be more involved.

I’d like to see more of …

More aggressive campaigning – on the front foot – against the undermining of public broadcasting.

Final advice …

Research and publicise the global correlation between national happiness indicators and the reach of public broadcasting.