Fluccs
facebook.com/SaveOurSBS        twitter.com/SaveOurSBS

Page Archive: A Petition To Save SBS

Sign the petition to protect SBS, stop the ads and maintain our multicultural public broadcaster funded fully by government. Click http://petition.saveoursbs.org and wait while you are redirected to the petition server.

SaveOurSBS

About the Save Our SBS Petition

An on-line petition is now available that addresses the issues of funding for SBS, advertisements and commercial breaks in programs. The goal of the petition is that our Parliamentarians will amend the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 to disallow advertising on SBS and concurrently fund our valued multicultural public broadcaster fully and properly. You can read about section 45 of the Act which is about Advertising on SBS in the FAQ SBS Advertising & Legislation page on this web site.

We need legislative change to protect SBS and public broadcasting. Please sign the petition.

What does the petition say?

A preview copy of the petition is below but you cannot sign it below. You need to click here to sign.

To The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts,

No Advertisements OR Sponsorship on SBS

I appreciate the important role that SBS plays in Australian life as our valued public broadcaster, that reflects and enriches Australia’s diversity and multicultural society.

However I am furious at SBS’s decision of 2006 to reinterpret the Special Broadcasting Service Act (1991) and interrupt programs for advertisements. Previously advertisements were between programs only.

SBS has now redefined the concept of “natural program breaks” referred to in the Act and is forcing breaks into programs for advertisements (& promos), which is contrary to the spirit of public broadcasting, if not the Act itself. I consider that advertisement interruptions into program are not natural; are not part of the Charter of SBS; and, ultimately will compromise the unique and independent character of SBS.

I urge you to immediately require that:-

1) The SBS Board cease disrupting all programs for advertisements.

Furthermore, I call on you to protect the integrity and independence of SBS from government and commercial influence by:-

2) Amending the SBS Act to prohibit advertising and sponsorship on SBS;

3) Fully funding SBS so it is not dependent on commercial revenue nor supplementation from advertising; and,

4) Introducing a new system of appointments to the SBS Board that will result in Board members being appointed on the basis of merit with a strong commitment to multiculturalism and SBS independence, and, that the Board is independent from the government of the day and commercial influence.

I value SBS and do not want it to broadcast advertisements at all.

Please let me know what your government will do about the matters I have raised.

Yours Faithfully,

To sign the petition click here and wait while you are automatically redirected to the petition server which is located at http://petition.saveoursbs.org.

Other Things You Can Do To Help

A petition alone will not suffice. It’s a start. You need to let other people know. Write letters to newspapers, phone talkback radio, visit your local federal member for parliament. Speak to a Senator. Write your own personal letter to the Minister. Read more about what you can do in the FAQ What else can I do? page on this web site.

Sign the petition to protect SBS, stop the ads and maintain our multicultural public broadcaster funded fully by government. Click http://petition.saveoursbs.org and wait while you are redirected to the petition server.

SaveOurSBS

Comments are closed.