The Managing Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mark Scott has announced a plan to establish a 24-hours a day public affairs channel on free-to-air television.
Mr Scott said his proposal involved providing breaking news and scheduled bulletins as well as rolling coverage of press conferences, Parliaments and Annual General Meetings.
He said the network would be modelled on the American Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN) and the Sky News subscription service currently operating in Australia.
“The challenge of providing information so that the Australian democratic process is more meaningful grows greater each day," Mr Scott said.
"I am a fan of what Sky News has achieved in recent years, but the ABC has a different role to play.”
24/7 public affairs channel mooted
Mr Scott said C-SPAN was a not-for-profit service owned by American cable companies that aired non-stop coverage of Government proceedings unedited and commercial-free.
He said the channel would run Parliament from Canberra and the State Governments; press conferences and Parliamentary Committee hearings; major forums; key Annual General Meetings; and public addresses at places such as the Lowy Institute, the Melbourne Press Club and the Centre for Independent Studies.
"A public affairs channel would be reinforced by the ABC's outstanding news and current affairs service, allowing updates around the clock and the ability to go live on major breaking news events," he said.
"Again, this is something that should be available free in every Australian home - access to our democracy in action."
He said in the areas of local news, children's television, quality news and current affairs and education, the ABC could provide where the market failed.
He said the ABC had already indicated its intention to fund an ABC children's channel.
"If we are concerned about the impact fast food advertising on television is having on our children, doesn't it make sense to give parents the choice of a completely commercial-free children's channel, with high-quality Australian content" Mr Scott asked.
"No pester power, no exposure to fast food advertising, just quality children's content."