Radio National has confirmed that it ill drop the popular Book Show (with Ramona Koval) and Artworks programs in favour of a book/arts mash up "Arts and Books". There has been no public announcement as yet or seemingly no plan to consult with arts communities or the public.
The CPSU who represents ABC staff is writing to the ABC to express this concern and seek information on the possible impact of the changes to its staff.
Once again a major change in arts programming at the ABC is being made without heeding public concern. Management have acknowledged "robust discussion in Melbourne" however the truth is that the long-standing Book Show has recieved hundreds of messages of protest at the decision by Radio National to remove its dedicated books and writing program. The letter by writer Christopher Tsiolkas to the ABC Board has not caused a re-think to this decision.
The proposed new program would run for 55 minutes per day with a "60/40" split that would appear to give art forms currently covered by Artworks more minutes of air-time overall. However, the reduced time to cover literature and the imposition of a 'fiction, memoirs and litcrit' only brief is causing many decry this change to a show that is renowned locally and internally in the literary industry. It also egularly rates as one of he ABC's more popular podcasts.
Commissioning of the new schedule is due to happen on the 17th october. ABC management has not confirmed or denied whether presenter Ramona Koval will remain.
So what do you think of this change?
You can contact the ABC with your thoughts on this decision: ABC Contact Page
You can also view the proposed changes to radio National schedule in the Australian: 3 October 2011
