Imma preface this with the statement that I appreciate the way you present your argument and that I wish people would use the reddit voting system properly. While I disagree with what you're saying I appreciate your points of view and more importantly the way you present it, and for your contribution and continuation to the discussion you deserve more upvotes, as they're a reflection of quality of content not the views contained within.
ACTUAL REPLY
No they aren't. Have you watched QandA?
No I haven't. I generally avoid TV, I'll take your word for it though, given that panel shows are generally outrage machines, not legitimate forms or attempts at discussion. In my humble opinion of course.
I don't watch TV but when I do its exclusively ABC and SBS.
Good for you man, but if you do that then why complain about ABC fundinging (assuming that wasn't a sarcastic use of the "i don't always meme)
The ABC is a non-essential service funded by millions of people who never use it. It also pretends impartiality and open air to all view points when this clearly impossible.
True enough, but non essential does not mean not important. Also, I do recall the occasional "all men are evil pigs and rapist" & "all liberals are scum" segments on triple J, I agree that it does have its occasional problems with political bias, but in my albeit very limited experience with triple J it generally seems somewhat impartial.
Close it down. Build some hospitals with the money.
That wouldn't happen though, not with the current powers that exist. I'd prefer triple J exist over Reinhart getting even fatter tax breaks.
To close, I agree that the ABC can be rightly considered a non-essential service and that like all human created sources, it bears a measure of bias. It's importance lies in the fact it provides a counterpoint to the other existing mainstream media. It manages to do so because it is the only other mainstream media not owned by a single man, other than al jazeera. The problem with the bias isn't that it exists, it's that people flock to and ignore other forms of information, leading to a bias opinion. I like to read sources from both sides of the bias fence, and without the ABC, one side would not exist and that would be a problem in my opinion.