Photo: Sue Jackson

The strength of the public’s interest in media as a political issue was demonstrated at the ABC Friends forum at Kew Library in the seat of Kooyong on 23 April.

The event itself became a media story after three gatecrashers entered the room shouting anti-immigration slogans; the disruption was recorded by a reporter from The Age, appearing in online and print publications over the following 24 hours. The incident momentarily confounded the audience, but didn’t stop them quickly returning their attention to key media issues of the day – social media, misinformation, funding for the ABC and the case for its international broadcasting.

The forum was organised by ABC Friends Inner Melbourne who invited all registered Kooyong candidates to participate. Liberal Amelia Hamer did not respond, and the panel consisted of Jackie Carter, Greens; Clive Crosby, Labor; and the incumbent MP, Independent Dr Monique Ryan.

The discussion began with the recent legislation restricting under–16s access to social media with Ryan and Carter giving their reasons for opposing this. There was common ground amongst the three candidates on the question of combatting misinformation – all would support effective regulatory control, rather than leaving it to crowdsourced commentary.

There was also consensus for Australian content quotas on streaming platforms, with Clive Crosby and Jackie Carter’s call for these earning a round of applause.

Regarding the ABC, both Ryan and Carter supported increased funding over the current Labor commitment. Ryan, in referring to a meeting she’d had with ABC Chair Kim Williams, spoke of a need for the ABC to diversify its output, particularly in relation to young people.

Crosby spoke of the difficulty, as a social media user, of finding ABC content amidst the swath of alternatives; Carter raised the issue of social media algorithms and the lack of transparency by which they influence users’ access to content.

The ABC dominated questions from the audience, one of whom asked if ABC services should be more clearly connected to specific budget allocations, leading Monique Ryan to suggest that funding for the ABC should be linked to particular ‘deliverables’ and further, that it be determined by an independent body, rather than government.

All three speakers showed themselves well informed about media issues as matters of political concern, underscoring the significance of media policy at a time of transition. The evening concluded with opportunities for the audience to speak directly with candidates (and enjoy refreshments provided by ABC Friends).

Our thanks to Dr Muriel Porter OAM, Kooyong resident and writer, who acknowledged the traditional owners and introduced the evening, which was moderated by Dr Jennifer Bowen.