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Only noticed the debate recently on cutting funding to your Public
Network.
Have not noticed much discussion on the diffrences between Public and
commercial networks (could have missed it :-))
1. Public networks are not dominated by a corporate / profit ethic.
2. Public networks usually have specific charters which force them
   to cater to a broad audience (culture/language/..) rather than
   demographicly (read advertising) defined audience
3. The level of poor (read shit) programming is MUCH lower.
4. They have a dedication to their audience rather than advertisers.
5. Raise (or keep up) critical comment on arts/culture/politics that
   commercial networks are unable to maintain.
6. Not dominated by ratings.
 
I hope your debate goes far folks, over here if you raised the
idea of privitising the two Public networks (ABC & SBS) it would
be a sure-fire way of losing votes (and office).
 
best-of-luck
charles