Crikey was first with the news about the proposed Peter Wilkins
national sports news format and today we bring you the second
instalment from ABC national editor John Cameron. Read both missives to
see how the tone has changed.

ABC TV sports reporters shafted with no consultation



Sealed section – February 2, 2004


Well,
that’s what the sports reporters concluded after reading this memo from
ABC national editor John Cameron on Friday afternoon:

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004
Subject: national sports wraps for tv

Peter Wilkins has recently rejoined the ranks, and is about to begin work on piloting a national sports package for TV News.

It
is envisaged that Peter, along with producer Steve Marshall, will
enhance our coverage of sports-related news, primarily in the 7pm
bulletins (although he will also remain available to the 7.30 Report,
Midday and Lateline).

On a daily basis, Peter will report
to the TV Network Editor, who will co-ordinate requirements for a daily
network sports package, along the lines of the Rugby World Cup
offerings.

The Network Editors will help refine the idea
over the coming weeks, establishing the graphics look and ironing out
the studio requirements and other practicalities. It is crucial that it
works in all states for all audiences before it is included in
bulletins.

The concept presents many obvious challenges,
especially in tailoring a package which is acceptable to all state news
agendas. But it will allow us to deliver to viewers a much more
consistent quality in scripting, presentation and story choice. It will
also help set us apart from the commercial treatment of sports news
stories, and inject some new life and variation into the rundowns.

Sports-related
stories of local interest can still be run in the normal fashion,
either before or after the package, but material will also be
commissioned from states specifically for the package.

Pilots
will be available for all to see before an on air date. If you have any
specific questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact
your state editor or the network editor.

John Cameron
National Editor
News and Current Affairs

Update on TV news initiative at the ABC

Sent to ABC staff on February 9, 2004

News is refining a new approach to the way it covers sports news stories in its flagship 7pm TV bulletins.

Experienced
sports journalist and broadcaster Peter Wilkins will front a weeknight
segment, similar in concept to the successful finance segment presented
by Alan Kohler in the 7pm bulletins.

The Wilkins report
will kick off later this month in most states and territories, bringing
a sharper focus to the ABC’s prime-time coverage of national and
international sports-related news stories.

This new segment
will complement local coverage of sports news stories in each state and
territory. And, contrary to some misinformation already published, the
concept will actually allow more room in individual state bulletins for
stories of major local interest.

The move is being made for
editorial reasons, to ensure a consistent quality in a format more
relevant to the evolving requirements of the 7pm News.

However,
it will also be beneficial on an efficiency front, by enabling better
use of resources within state newsrooms. Discussions have been held
over many months with the appropriate editorial leaders regarding the
need for change.

News and Current Affairs management has now given the plan the green light, and pilots are being prepared daily.

Peter
Wilkins needs little introduction. He’s been with the ABC for most of
the last 25 years, hosting and reporting on the likes of World Cup
soccer, Olympics and Paralympics, rugby league tours, rugby union, AFL,
Davis Cup and Hopman Cup tennis, championship golf, international
hockey, and much more.

Until last year, Wilkins was one of
the permanent members of ABC TV’s “The Fat” and – most recently – was
attached to the 7.30 Report as a current affairs journalist
specialising in sports-related stories.

His nightly packages will be a collaborative effort, with contributions commissioned from all states on occasions.

Steve
Marshall, initially a business reporter with the ABC and most recently
on attachment to the 7.30 Report, will be the segment’s producer.

As
a final point, I would re-state the News and Current Affairs division’s
commitment to local content. This move is an opportunity to enhance our
local presence in the precious resource that is our 7pm News.

John Cameron

Cameron provides further explanation

Sent around the ABC on February 11, 2004

Given the extreme amount of misinformation being circulated – internally and externally – about a plan
to improve our coverage of sports-related news on TV outlets, feel free to check the facts with me or
others.

Let me also state, again, some of the background to what is being proposed.

We have been discussing this issue for years at all editorial levels – formally and informally. Almost
everyone, in all states, has agreed that our coverage on TV of sporting issues needs a facelift, so it fits
more comfortably within the format and philosophy of the 7pm bulletins.
It has been generally agreed that we need a point of difference, given
that we come an hour or two after the commercial bulletins (and most of
our viewers have already seen one of them), and given that most major
sport is now available at the push of a Pay TV button.

So – we have a responsibility not to simply imitate the coverage being offered elsewhere, and certainly
not at a variable standard. I repeat that our  bulletins must
continue to evolve, moving with the times to retain their relevance and
respectability. Again, I remind my colleagues that in the 1980s, we
even had “racing packs”, complete with a separate presenter and
on-screen dividends. There was an outcry when we dropped them, but
no-one seriously laments them now.

Lest that anecdote be misread, let me be very clear that we have no
intention of consigning sports-related news stories to the wastebin. To
the contrary, sport will be treated on genuine news value. Often, that
will mean that the current traditional packaging treatment will be
reduced to what it is actually worth, freeing up more bulletin time for
local coverage. That is a fact, and that is the motivation – more
relevant coverage of national and international sports-related news and
events, presented at a consistent standard, coupled with a more
news-related sporting focus locally. Sports news reporters in
individual states will be on the road more regularly, providing more
“local” journalism, rather than less.

It can only be a healthy thing that we challenge our formula-driven agenda, which – by common consensus – is tired and uneven.

I would ask staff to appreciate that there is absolutely no other
agenda here. As a management group, we are fully committed to the local
relevance of the 7pm bulletin. It is one of the ABC’s trump cards, and
will not be compromised.

Please also accept that this is not a cost-driven initiative, but an editorial one. No staff positions
are at risk.

Practically speaking, this move is still in its pilot stage, but I would expect to have tapes in the hands
of relevant state and territory staff before week’s end. From there, we will discuss and refine.

John Cameron