Australia Network Budget Axing

Last week's federal budget revealed that the ABC would see a $29 million reduction in it's funding from July 1. This means that where previously the network had a $35 million budget dedicated to international broadcasting and foreign affairs, they will now only have $15 million. On top of that, the Australian Network - which primarily airs material from the ABC to an international audience - will be axed.

“There’s real concern among foreign correspondents that the ABC will use the loss of the Australia Network contract as cover to drastically cut its foreign bureauxa senior journalist told Crikey after the budget announcement.

 “There’s real concern among foreign correspondents that the ABC will use the loss of the Australia Network contract as cover to drastically cut its foreign bureaux”

So who will these cuts effect and how?

Foreign-based journalists

With the axing of the Australian Network, foreign journalists primary funding, it is very likely that many foreign-based journalists will lose their jobs.

• Australian viewers

These budget cuts mean that there will be less overseas coverage, therefore less news and foreign affairs for Australian viewers.

The International audience

If the Australian Network is axed, Australian television will no longer be broadcast to the 46 countries it currently transmits to, axing the Australian perspective the network offered to international viewers.

• Other ABC services like  iView and News 24

The ABC fears that with funding cuts it will no longer be able to support additional ABC services such as iView - the ABC app that allows viewers to re-watch shows aired on the network either online or on a tablet - and ABC news 24 - the networks 24 hour news channel.

Personally, I fear for the loss of foreign correspondence and believe that the axing of the Australian Network is a big step back for Australia in a globalised society. We are becoming more connected to overseas places over time and the media is a huge contributor to this connection.

The loss of foreign-based journalists and our primary link to overseas news could mean we are less connected to foreign countries, not only in a news sense but in our overall international relations - something that should be nurtured in today's society.