Thought for today: "There are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream." Right now the issue on the table is privatising the ABC. Let's be honest, that's not going to happen. Rural Australia won't let that. The Country Women's Association, The National Farmers Federation and the National Party none of them will see the ABC out of public hands. But the devil is in the detail. You can kill off the ABC in a death by one thousand cuts. Funding cut after funding cut, staff cut after staff cut, content cut after content cut and the ABC name may remain in public hands but it will be an empty shell of a public broadcaster. Those of us who love the ABC are determined not to let that happen and we took to the streets today. A large crowd gathered outside the Russell Street studios to protest the latest in a long line of threats to the ABC. It was a very well mannered affair, considered and dignified. Actually I thought a bit more chanting and fist pumping would have been in order. I like a good chant - but that's not my reasoning. While the speeches were very motivating and well thought out they were preaching to the converted - literally. The message needs to be sent to politicians and governments who like to use the ABC as a whipping boy. It is the ultimate shoot the messenger target. A rowdy crowd gets TV coverage and TV coverage gets attention. It's as simple as that. These may not be the usual demographic for loud protests which is exactly why it would be so powerful. Give me a megaphone people.
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