Fed: Alston continues attack on ABC cuts to schools programs
CANBERRA, Aug 12 AAP - Two episodes of medical drama MDA cost the ABC as much as theannual budget for the soon-to-be axed Behind The News schools program, the governmentsaid today.
The ABC's decision to cut the children's current affairs show as part of $26.1 millionbudget cuts has angered schools and parents as well as Communications Minister RichardAlston.
The ABC blamed a lack of government funding for its decision to close digital multi-channelsand cut advertising, live sport and schools programs, including Behind The News, watchedby more than one million students each week.
Senator Alston told a meeting of Liberal and National Party MPs and senators todaythe ABC should look at its priorities.
"He did rhetorically ask the question why a program which seemed to be very worthwhileand popular, which cost $800,000 a year to make, was being proposed for axing when $400,000per episode is spent on MDA and doesn't seem to be that popular," a coalition spokesmansaid.
Senator Alston has been engaged in a bitter row with the ABC over the impartialityof its coverage of the war on Iraq, and has demanded a new, fully independent, complaintshandling process.
AAP kmh/sb/sco/de
KEYWORD: ABC
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