which may affect the ABC’s editorial independence and integrity.
acceptance of money or other benefits directly from certain government funding sources; and
entering into arrangements with co-production partners for the sharing of expenses and risks associated with producing content under which the coproduction partner may accept money or other benefits from certain government and private funding sources.
1.whether the arrangement is permissible under the ABC Act – see Types of External Funding;
2.whether the content is something that the ABC would consider producing for broadcast or publication without external funding – see Influence;
3.the nature of the external partners’ interest in the subject matter of the content and in broadcast or publication of the content by the ABC, and how that interest - whether it be political, commercial, sectional, personal or otherwise - is likely to be perceived – see Nature of Interests;
4.the extent to which the making, promotion or scheduling of the content will be influenced by any funder and how that influence is likely to be perceived – see Influence;
5.the reputations of the external partners, including where relevant whether they have editorial standards similar to the ABC’s – see Indirect funding: Coproductions;
6.the willingness of external partners to contract to comply with the Editorial Policies and to assist the ABC to comply – see Compliance with ABC Editorial Policies;
7.how the ABC will exercise an appropriate level of editorial control that is commensurate with the ABC’s contribution and consistent with its obligations under the ABC Act and Editorial Policies – see Compliance with ABC Editorial Policies;
8.the degree to which the subject matter or proposed treatment of the subject matter or scheduling of the content is likely to be contentious, and ways to manage that contentiousness consistent with obligations under the ABC Act and Editorial Policies – see Contentiousness of Subject Matter or Scheduling.
Direct funding to the ABC
Indirect funding: Co-productions
Producer’s contribution
Indirect private funding sources
Indirect public funding sources
Decisions to make the content for broadcast by the ABC
Subject matter and how it is presented
Scheduling of the content for broadcast
Promotion of the content
public or private companies;
non-profit or not-for-profit organisations such as foundations, trusts or charities;
artistic organisations such as film festivals and regional arts councils; or
local government.
a bona fide producer of broadcasting programs to co-produce a program;
a bona fide producer of cinematograph films or sound recordings to co-produce
a film or sound recording; or
a bona fide producer of public concerts or other public entertainment to coproduce a concert.
the producer or production entity, either themselves or through their key creative personnel, has a track record in the production of content of the type being produced;
the producer or production entity has as their core business the production of content of the type being produced;
the production of content of the type being produced is closely aligned to the core business of the producer or production entity, for example an entity which distributes content may diversify into production of content;
this would extend to new production entities which are set up by a bona fide producer in the ordinary course of business, such as a special purpose vehicle for a particular production.
private investors (individuals or companies);
broadcasters, distributors and sales agents;
non-profit or not-for-profit organisations such as foundations, trusts or charities;
artistic organisations (film festivals or arts councils); and
financial institutions, for example providing cash-flow for the producer offset.
government screen funding agencies & other government authorities;[2] and
Commonwealth, State or Territory government departments, authorities or agencies.
Political interest – an interest that relates to the exercise of electoral choices or government power.
Sectional interest – an interest that usually binds individuals together through a shared belief, pastime, economic stake, concern, geographic location, cause or other common factor. A sectional interest may be a partisan interest of a group of individuals or organisations in advocating for change over a given social, environmental, legal, industrial relations, religious or community issue.
Personal interest – an interest that is usually individual and close. This may include a personal viewpoint, commitment, benefit, obligation or opportunity. It may relate to an individual’s reputation or advancement. It may relate not just to the individual personally but to their spouse, child, relative, or close personal friend.
Commercial interest – an interest that usually relates back to monetary gain. This can include financial gain, asset valuation, financial opportunity or advancement.
by influencing the the content for broadcast by the ABC;
by influencing the of the content and how it is presented;
by influencing the timing of the of the content for broadcast;
by influencing the of the content.
the amount of funding offered;
the percentage of the total budget that the funder’s contribution represents;
what role, if any, the funder may play in the content or editorial decision making about the content;