Extract from ABC News website:
Updated
The Federal Government is set to launch a study into the efficiency of the operations of the ABC and SBS.
In
a statement, the Department of Communications says it will examine
operational costs as well as products and services in order to "increase
efficiency and reduce expense".The decision comes a day after Prime Minister Tony Abbott claimed the broadcaster was unpatriotic in its coverage of the Edward Snowden leaks and asylum seeker abuse claims.
Mr Peter Lewis, formerly a chief finance officer at Seven West Media Limited, will assist the department in its work.
In a statement, the Coalition Government says "it is a routine responsibility... to ensure that the ABC and SBS use public resources as efficiently as possible".
"The objective is to ensure ABC and SBS fulfil their charter responsibilities at least cost to the community, and keep pace with rapidly changing practices in the broadcasting sector," it added.
The study will not review the broadcasters' charters, or their editorial and programming decisions.
Mr Abbott has also questioned the ABC's newly established Fact Check unit, saying he wanted the corporation to focus on straight news gathering and reporting.
The Department will deliver its final report in April.
More to come.
How can the ABC Fact Check Unit NOT be in the interests of "straight news gathering and reporting"?
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