By Daniel Flitton
THE ABC's chief, Mark Scott, has risked scuttling the broadcaster's bid for Australia's $223 million overseas television service.
He complained about government funding for Australia Network in the face of rules that ban public comments by the bidders.
"I think it is very difficult for commercial media operations to be able to deliver the kind of content that you might want in terms of public diplomacy or even in terms of credible, independent quality news" ... Mark Scott.Credit: Jon Reid
Mr Scott made a pitch to a Canberra audience last month, stating that the ABC was best able to deliver international broadcasting over its commercial rivals.
The bitterly fought tender between the ABC and Rupert Murdoch's part-owned Sky News to win the rights to the network has become embroiled in controversy. The federal government sidelined an independent panel set up to judge the bid that had called for the contract to be awarded to Sky.
Mr Scott said the ABC had an advantage because international broadcasting and news is part of its charter.
''I think it is very difficult for commercial media operations to be able to deliver the kind of content that you might want in terms of public diplomacy or even in terms of credible, independent quality news,'' he said.
Australia Network is broadcast in Asia and the Pacific region, targeting a middle-class audience in 44 countries as part of an effort to promote Australia.
Mr Scott's speech was at the Australian National University on June 7 and had not been previously reported.
He acknowledged legal requirements that forbid the bidders making any public statements on the tender process.
But he went on to say Australia Network could greatly expand its reach if money was made available to subtitle programs in local languages.
Bidders are required to obtain written approval from the Foreign Affairs department before making public comments.
A bidder can, at any time, be declared in breach of the tender rules and excluded.
The department did not respond to questions from the Herald last night.
The ABC communications director, Mick Millet, said the ABC was aware of the rules and had not made any comment relating to the tender process.