ABC defends migration forum after activist appearance
The ABC says its second National Forum on migration aimed to reflect the range of views held in the community. The statement follows scrutiny of the decision to include activist Conrad Gillard among those questioning panellists.
Gillard, from the group Down Under Reform, was one of seven people who addressed panellists during the forum. He started a petition calling for Australia's annual immigration intake to be cut to zero until the median house price in all capital cities falls below five times the median annual income. That petition received almost 30,000 signatures, The Guardian reported.
The forum was hosted by David Speers. It aired on Monday 14 September at 8:30pm, with Speers questioning participants on migration, multiculturalism and national identity, according to ABC listings. The broadcaster described the program as an examination of the migration that has shaped modern Australia at a time of intensifying debate about migration and multiculturalism.
At the forum, Gillard centred his argument on housing. He said he backed One Nation's migration policy but said it could have "gone a little bit further".
Gillard runs Down Under Reform's Facebook page, which has 7,000 followers. The page includes posts about the dangers of Muslims and "African gangs". It also includes posts blaming migrants for illegal dumping and violent crime and claiming immigration is "erasing our culture".
After the broadcast, Gillard posted a video thanking the ABC for the chance to take part. He said he hoped his appearance played a role in normalising the idea of net-negative immigration, where more people leave than arrive.
An ABC spokesperson said the purpose of the National Forum was to give viewers an accurate representation of the range of views and beliefs on migration held in the community. The spokesperson said the program presented facts and full context to challenge different perspectives and allow audiences to reach their own informed views.
What makes this difficult for a public broadcaster is balance. Include a wide spread of voices and some viewers object. Narrow the field and others say debate was shut down.
In a separate media development, Nine unveiled a "Sofa to Street" marketing strategy at Sydney's Barangaroo as part of a push to bring advertising in-house. The plan includes "Shop Today", which aims to turn its Today breakfast program into a seamless shopping experience linking audience trust with click-to-buy sales.
