Drawing a short bow
An eminent ABC journalist has written a biography of Alan Jones, the multi-millionaire shock-jock who likes gay bashing, white male privilege, and corporate whoring. The ABC’s enterprise department has refused to publish the book on the grounds that such a book would not be commercially viable for the ABC. The decision came following an ABC Board meeting.
Items:
1. Said journalist has worked for the national independent broadcaster for forty years. It’s likely that his book is a measuredly unsympathetic commentary on a man who wields influence over scores of swingspirational voters.
2. The Government is reliant on said voters in order to remain in office.
3. A book about such a popular and controversial fellow is bound to sell pretty well.
4. Since when has the national independent broadcaster made decisions on the basis of commercial viability?
5. Donald McDonald (personal friend of John Howard), Keith Windschuttle (ideological ally of John Howard) and Janet Albrechtson (ideological ally of John Howard) are on the ABC Board.
Isn’t Alan Jones gay himself? Whence the legal letter stating the sexual content of the book as defaming or what have you. Not that he probably still doesn’t “gay bash”, I’ve never really listened to him.
And anyway this is total censorship. Did you see MediaWatch last night? I wonder how long that program will last with the new board make-up.
Comment by Anna — 7/4/2006 @ 8:21 pm
Oh, whoops. Perhaps I got him mixed up with John Laws again?
I am loving the performances of Monica Attard and Tony Jones at the moment, I have to say. Testing the censorship climate with bravery and integrity!
Comment by ann — 7/5/2006 @ 1:17 pm