ABC Radio programme "StarStuff" -- Axed

[ngcles]

Hi All,

Hot off the press!!

News has just come to my ears from an ABC source, that the only ABC radio programme devoted to Astronomy and Cosmology --Stuart Gary's "StarStuff" has been axed and will finish in just two weeks.

The page for the programme is here:
http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/programs/STARSTUFF.htm

StarStuff is an excellent, very, very long-running programme (only a 1/2 hr per week) with a large devoted audience that is dedicated to the latest developments in Astronomy and Cosmology -- essential listening for anyone interested in Astronomy.

Why has it been axed?? To make way for more sport. Yep, you heard it here, a total of 700 hrs of sport is broadcast on all the ABC radio and TV channels per week, but it wasn't enough -- they needed that extra 1/2 hr.

Are you steamed about it??

Write to the Federal Government Ministers here

Minister for Communications: Senator Steven Conroy

senator.conroy@aph.gov.au


Minister for Science: Warren Snowdon

warren.snowdon.mp@aph.gov.au


And while you're at it C.C it to the Shadow ministers:


Shadow Communications:

b.bilson.mp@aph.gov.auu


Shadow Science:

bob.baldwin@aph.gov.au


And stick a copy to the Greens while you are at it:

bob.brown@aph.gov.au



Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T

[rogerg]

That's not good at all. :mad2:

It's one of my favourite podcasts. NOT HAPPY! :mad2:

Sport, boring sport wins out yet again. Argh!

[iceman]

That's absolutely terrible. StarStuff is one of my favourite science/astronomy podcasts, and the best to come out of Australia.

Horrible horrible news.

[renormalised]

That is typical of this country. We seem to put a greater priority on things of rather little importance than recognise what is important and supporting these things. This unhealthy obsession with sport is one example of this. Now I'm a sports fan, but I've never been so obsessed with sport that I've let it take over everything else....which it seems to have with much of the population. You have to create a balance in your interests otherwise you become obsessed with something to the point it begins to become an illness. We've become a nation of relatively uneducated dullards, more worried about whether the team wins and getting off our faces at the pub than being concerned with becoming better educated and informed about the world around us.

I'd much rather spend 1/2 an hour listening to something interesting and educational on the TV or radio than act like a drunken yahoo at a football game or race track...and waste my money in the process.

[Glenhuon]

Waste of time writing to politicians regarding excessive amounts of sport on the box. They encourage it. The old Roman saying of "Bread and Circuses" still holds sway. I've never been a fan of watching sports, participating, yes, watching no. Anyway, there is no real sport nowadays, its a job, a business. Want to see real sport, go watch an amateur or the kids playing after school for the fun of it. Might as well watch the council guys digging up the street than watch a bunch of "proffesional sportsmen" doing their job. Probably get more laughs too, listening to the crack. :)
When money comes in, sport goes out the window.

Bill

[mark3d]

pity to take off something so educational


.

[Paddy]

I reckon that politicians will only say that the ABC is independent and they don't control content. Which is how it should be. I think by all means write to the ministers, but also to the manager of news radio at

ABC NewsRadio
GPO Box 9994
IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY

You can also email them from http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/contact/
but I've heard that hard copy letters carry more weight than email.

Also Mark Scott, General Manager of the ABC should get a few letters too at

Australian Broadcasting Corporation;
ABC Ultimo Centre;
GPO Box 9994;
Sydney NSW 2001;

or

http://www.abc.net.au/contact/contactabc.htm

I can only agree that this was a great show and how appalling it is that it's being axed to make way for sport!!!

[renormalised]

I totally agree with you...quite frankly it's an indictment on the current mindset of society.

[Ric]

That is a pretty p-- poor effort by the ABC.

There are a 168 hours in a week and they can't spare a 1/2 hour.

I shall indeed be writing to the ABC and those ministers listed.

Cheers

[daveyoung]

Here are some postal addresses. I've written letters to both of these gentlemen;

Mark Scott
ABC Managing Director
GPO Box 9994
Sydney NSW 2001;


Senator the Hon. Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
PO Box 1067
Epping MDC
Vic 3076

I'd like to encourage everybody else to do so please.

best regards,

Dave Young

[laurieg]

an interesting excerp from hansard approx 2005/06

Topic: StarStuff on NewsRadio
Hansard Page: ECITA 136

SenatorRonaldsonasked:

Senator RONALDSON—………—a popular ABC News Radio program called Star Stuff apparently plays on Saturday and Sunday nights. Is anyone aware of this program, Star Stuff on Radio National?
Mr Green—Yes, it is on News Radio.
Senator RONALDSON—News Radio, that is right. Is it right that the program rates four or five times more highly than News Radio’s general programming?
Mr Green—I would have to take that on notice. I do not have that.
Senator RONALDSON—Off the top of your head though, Mr Green, is it a reasonable claim?
Mr Green—Yes, I think it has a particular following. It takes an approach to astronomy that is not available elsewhere and I think there is appreciation for that.
Senator RONALDSON—Is it right that the ABC is planning to axe this program and replace it with a package of science clips from overseas?
Mr Green—I cannot respond to that. I am not aware of that. That may be the case. I mean, I cannot speak for the director of radio on that matter but I am happy to take that on notice.
Senator RONALDSON—If you could take that on notice. If you could just find please where it rates and whether this is indeed correct. Thank you.

Answer:

The ABC is not planning to axe the StarStuff program

It is problematic to compare a distinctive half hour program with overall ABC NewsRadio programming, as such a comparison does not account for program duration, time of day a program is broadcast and the availability of audiences. A more appropriate comparison of how a program performs relative to other programs on that station is to compare the audience for the half hour preceding the program and the audience in the half hour after the program. Average weekly results for 2005 (Source: 5 city data, Nielsen Media Research):

Reach 000s %Share
Saturday
10.30-11 pm 29 4%
StarStuff (rpt) 11–11.30 pm 40 6.1%
11.30 – 12 midnight 37 6.8%


Sunday
10.30-11 pm 40 5.8%
StarStuff 11 – 11.30 pm 38 7 %
11.30 – 12 midnight 33 7 %

Monday
12.30-1 pm 15 0.6 %
StarStuff (rpt) 1–1.30pm 18 0.8 %
1.30 – 2 pm 14 0.6 %

[danielsun]

Absolutely shattered!!!:(
It is an excellent program and I will definitely be writing in!!!
This is terrible news.:(

[Earl]

I could be wrong, but haven't they already pulled it back from 1 hour to 30mins some ago?

Wonder what's going in its place? More boof heads thinking out loud no doubt.

[MrB]

Your question was answered in the original post:

[ngcles]

Hi All,

I just thought I'd bring this matter to your attention again with a few additional suggestions because in the lead-up to the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, the last thing the "clever country" needs is for its one and only Astronomy radio programme to be axed.

In addition to writing to the email addresses I have already detailed in my original post (see above), I also ask you to consider emailing the managing director of ABC radio Mark Scott.

His email address is scott.mark@abc.net.au

In fact, BOMBARD HIM.And, also write via email or snail-mail to your local members (state, but particularly federal) and even consider writing to the editor of your favourite newspaper.

There is no chance of a reversal of this decision unless _you_ take action.

_Now_ is the time to take up your pen (keyboard etc) and write! (If you haven't already done so).



Best,


Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T

[gts055]

Hi, thanks for the email addresses. I have sent comments to all the above addresses.
Mark

[dannat]

this is the reply I got

"Dear Daniel

Thanks for your feedback about StarStuff.

While we appreciate that you enjoy this specialist program, we need to
allocate as many of our resources within ABC NewsRadio as possible to
delivering the key promise of the network to provide rolling news
coverage.

We've decided to end the program because we need producer/ presenter
Stuart Gary to work on ABC NewsRadio's main newsdesk five days a week.
As you can appreciate, it's important the network's resources are
devoted to delivering the network's key promise.

But we will certainly continue to report on news from the scienticific
and astronomical communities, as part of our overall coverage of
breaking news.

Of course, this can also be accessed online from
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/?site=newsradio&topic=space or
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/?topic=space.

Again, thanks for your comments about the show.

Yours sincerely,

Elysha

PR/human relations crap

[Zuts]

Hi,

A computer could generate a reply like that. So my suggestion is sack the PR person and hire an extra reporter to man the newsdesk while gary is busy on starstuff :mad2:

Paul

[h0ughy]

yep sent an email:thumbsup:

[iceman]

hmm at least you got a reply, but not a good one. Doesn't even look like they're entertaining the idea of changing their mind.

Amateur astronomers and scientists get 1 dedicated show - 30 minutes per week and they cut it.

Having science news as part of the normal broadcast isn't good enough - that's a small headline and a grab, not the indepth interviews and explanations that you get on StarStuff.

[stuart gary]

Hi everyone, I just want to thank you all for your kind words and efforts.
Cheer's
Stuart :sadeyes:

[stuart gary]

Hi guys,
Thanks for all the support, management wants to answer all the e-mails themselves from now on.

[iceman]

Hi Stuart, :welcome: to IceInSpace! Thanks for signing up.

Were you given any chance to plead your case as to why it should stay? Was anyone fighting for it before the decision was made?

I'll post about it on the IceInSpace homepage to get more people to send their complaints to the ABC management.

[koputai]

What more can you expect from a broadcaster that puts Will Anderson on air. They probably want the extra half hour so he can do more schoolboy tits 'n' bum jokes. Hey, it seems the great unwashed are lapping it up.

Cheers,
Jason.

[rider]

youre wrong about more sport,
ABC news radio has never reported on Sports.

just Games

Game of cricket,
Game of socker,
Game of Rugby,
Game of Golf,
Game of Tennis.

They'd report the statistics and gossip about a warfies BBQ cricket party rather than actually report RESULTS for the top level competition in any of the wide variety of sports that are not available on commercial channels.

Rider

[renormalised]

Welcome to IIS, Stuart:)

We tried...we may have failed but we gave it a go. Seems the powers that be can't understand anything useful. It's beyond them.

[MrB]

Hey! nothing wrong with Wil Anderson.
Infact, one of the ABC's biggest rating programs got axed and he was the host, R.I.P. The Glass House :(

Another program that was to be axed but survived due to public outcry was BTN (Behind The News) , so hope is not lost.

[Ric]

I fired off a load of emails last night to everybody on the list, no replies as yet.

Welcome to IIS Stuart, hope you have a great time here with us.

Cheers

[hilb]

I, too, am appalled at yet again more evidence of the cult of mediocrity that has been gaining momentum in Australia for several years now.

I have fired off a volley of emails to pollies and the ABC in the vain hope that sense may yet be seen.

:screwy:

[gts055]

I have received one reply to the many emails I sent to the various government departments yesterday. I noticed its the same reply that "dannat" received a few posts back. Seems that science has little relevance to the ABC.
I replied to "Elysha" at "ABC NewsRadio Audience" with :

Elysha,

Thanks for your reply, but that is hardly satisfactory. Your telling me that
I should listen 24/7 to the already grossly fat ABC NewsRadio, anticipating
a few odd seconds of science news, rather than the ABC offering a once
weekly, 30min timeslot dedicated to Astronomy/science. Where do think
society would be today without advances consequent of science.

Regards Mark



I have copied and pasted Elysha's initial reply to me:


Dear Mark,

Thanks for your email and feedback about StarStuff.

While we appreciate that you enjoy this specialist program, we need to
allocate as many of our resources within ABC NewsRadio as possible to
delivering the key promise of the network to provide rolling news
coverage.

We've decided to end the program because we need producer/ presenter
Stuart Gary to work on ABC NewsRadio's main newsdesk five days a week.
As you can appreciate, it's important the network's resources are
devoted to delivering the network's key promise.

But we will certainly continue to report on news from the scienticific
and astronomical communities, as part of our overall coverage of
breaking news.

Of course, this can also be accessed online from
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/?site=newsradio&topic=space or
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/?topic=space.

Again, thanks for your comments about the show.

Yours sincerely,

Elysha

[Ric]

Thats one more than me Mark, no one has replied to any of my emails as yet.

I await their replys

[renormalised]

Same here...we might have to do something "drastic":P:P:D

[bipedalhumanoid]

I only just heard about this.

This was an apalling decision by the abc. Noone delivers science news like Stuart Gary and his Star Stuff programme.

I've been listening to Star Stuff for about 8 years starting when I was living in Brisbane and I continue to listen to the podcasts now that I live in Dublin. I'd accept the newsradio's explanation if it weren't for the fact that they will be continuing to broadcast sport. I take it now we have to rely on science coverage from Radio Deutchewelle; BBC; CBC and NPR? how many of those stations are going to bother interviewing Australian scientists and give an Australian perspective to science coverage?

I've sent an email of protest to newsradio and I might also draft a letter to be sent to a few politicians. I wish there was more we could do.

I just can't believe they're doing this.

It's always been a battle. They used to frequently use Star Stuff's timeslot to force arial pingpong down the throats of us Queenslanders while the rest of the country got to enjoy the show.

I'm bloody angry. I think Aunty needs a good slap.

[bipedalhumanoid]

Has anyone started a petition yet?

[ngcles]

Hi All,

From an ABC source:

STARSTUFF UPDATE

Sadly the ABC has decided to ignore the hundreds of complaints it has received regarding its uneducated and ill informed decision to axe the popular StarStuff program.

The ABC is managing the fallout by redirecting all letters of support for StarStuff and its host Stuart Gary to something it’s calling “Audience Research”.

Stuart Gary has been ordered not to answer any e-mails about StarStuff and not to forward them to ABC Managing Director Mark Scott, but instead send them on to Audience Research.

Audience Research sounds very important, but it’s actually the junior office assistant to NewsRadio Manager Helen Thomas.

Helen Thomas is one of the three key ABC management people involved in killing StarStuff, the other two are Head of National Radio Networks Margaret Cassidy, and Head of Radio Sue Howard.

ABC management was always expecting an initial flood of complaints, but they also knew that this would fade away after a few weeks which is exactly what’s happened.

So despite what they say, the truth is, complaints to the taxpayer funded ABC are a total waste of time, because ABC management really don’t give a stuff about what you want. They know all they have to do is wait out the storm, and they’ll get away with it!

What does upset ABC management (because it makes them look bad publicly) are letters of complaint to newspaper editors, especially to the big national papers like the Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, the Herald Sun ,the Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail, The Canberra Times, the Sun Herald, the Sunday Telegraph and so on, you get the idea!

So if anyone out there still has a copy of the complaints they sent the ABC about the axing of StaStuff, then I urge you to send them to the Letters to the Editor departments of the major dailies, it really will be our last hope to save this show!

As for the politicians, it seems the Communications Minister doesn’t want to get involved because it would interfere with the independence of the ABC.

However it seems the ABC isn’t being completely honest with the Ministers office.

The ABC told the minister’s office StarStuff is being axed because it doesn’t fit in with newsradios move from block programming (which means long slabs of a single program like StarStuff) to a continuous rolling news service.

But it appears ABC Management didn’t tell the minister’s office whole truth.

They left out some important facts which the Ministers office should have known.

Like all the new block programming recently introduced by Helen Thomas, such as her new sports program “Weekend half time “ which is block programming just like StarStuff, but costs three times more to produce and goes twice as long, and oh yeh! It’s sport not science!

Then there’s Helen Thomas’ decision to introduce an additional 24 hours of block overseas programming every weekend. Newsradio used to broadcast from 0600 to midnight, but Helen Thomas cut that by 12 hours so it now usually only broadcasts from 0600 to 1200 noon, the rest of the time some 18 hours per day is almost all wall to wall BBC or WRN which is not only block programming, but block overseas programming. And Thomas has made similar changes to the weekday programming schedule which often see’s the BBC take over at 1906 on a weeknight! And remember these are AEST, which is the middle of the afternoon in Perth.

None of these facts were included in the ministerial briefing given by the ABC in relation to your concerns about the axing of StarStuff.

And for the record, other examples of significant block programming on NewsRadio which hasn’t been axed, includes Friday night and weekend AFL Football, with each game involving three hours of block program coverage.

Then there’s the daily hour of American National Public Radio’s “All things considered” every lunch time, which is yet another example of block programming.

Of course this isn’t the first time the ABC’s management has failed to tell our elected leaders the whole truth about StarStuff.

Hansard shows that during the Senate Estimates into ABC funding on February 13th and 14th 2006 question 85 (outcome1, output 1.1, 1.2,1.3 topic StarStuff on NewsRadio Hansard Page: ECITA 136) fails to answer the actual question asked by Senator Ronaldson.

That’s what spin doctors call “a non denial-denial”.

For ABC Managing Director Mark Scott the facts are simple! It’s not rocket science, at least not in a hard way.

StarStuff is Australia’s most successful astronomy program which has been going for nine years with over 400 episodes under its belt, and which as an hour long program every Sunday night consistently rated better than 8 per cent and even the Saturday night replay the following week still got better than 6 per cent according to The ABC’s own national ratings figures.

Why won’t Mark Scott just reverse what everyone else in the real world sees as an ill informed and un-educated decision by a network that’s lucky when it rates one per cent?

Mr Scott should reverse the decision to axe StarStuff, and he should move it and its host to the Radio National Science Unit where the show can develop rather than face constant attack by those 1 percenters who kill off science in favour of sport.

Hmmm ...


Best,

Les D

[rogerg]

If Stuart Garry or someone else started a podcast service of similar content to StarStuff I'd pay real money to subscribe.

Roger.

[bipedalhumanoid]

Thanks very much for the info Les. I fully intend to write to as many newspapers as I possible about this issue and would like to use some of the information you have provided here. Do you have sources for it?

[ngcles]

Hi Bipedalhumanoid & All,


Bipedalhumanoid wrote:

"Do you have sources for it?"

Yes, of course I do. :whistle:

Can I tell you who it is? Nope (for the obvious reasons). Sorry!:whistle:

Best,

Les D

[bipedalhumanoid]

I'm working on a petition. Any input on the wording would be greatly appreciated...

I, the undersigned, would like to appeal to Mark Scott (ABC Managing Director) to overturn a decision made by News Radio management (supported by Helen Thomas, Margaret Cassidy and Sue Howard) to axe Stuart Gary’s Star Stuff programme on News Radio.

Star stuff was Australia’s only Astronomy, cosmology and general science news programme and has been running successfully for almost 9 years and 500 episodes. When the show was running for a full hour on Sunday nights it consistently pulled 8% and even its rerun managed to pull a staggering 6% rating. The show has continued its success even in its relegated and reduced format.

The reasoning provided for the decision was that news radio would be moving away from block programming opting for a continuous rolling news broadcast. This is however, utterly inconsistent with other programming provided by the station which includes a myriad of foreign block programming, three hour blocks devoted to AFL matches and a sports programme (Weekend Half Time) which happens to be hosted by Helen Thomas herself.

I believe that if News Radio can no longer support the programme it should be moved to another station such as Radio National. I also believe that if News Radio can no longer support block programming then it should remove all of its block programming, including that hosted by station management.

Yours,

The Undersigned

[Ian Robinson]

:mad2: I want my 8c back !!!!

[bipedalhumanoid]

According to the web site the weekend halftime show is presented by Debbie Spillane and Scott Wales. Where does Helen Thomas come into the picture in relation to that programme?

[bipedalhumanoid]

Also, how 'new' is the show? On the web site there are links to 12 months worth of pod casts.

[ngcles]

Hi Bipedalhumanoid,

Bipedalhumanoid wrote:

"Where does Helen Thomas come into the picture in relation to that programme?"

and

"Also, how 'new' is the show? On the web site there are links to 12 months worth of pod casts."

The answers to both can be read in the last substantive post containing the material in red from the ABC source. To extract them:

"Audience Research sounds very important, but it’s actually the junior office assistant to NewsRadio Manager Helen Thomas."

and

"StarStuff is Australia’s most successful astronomy program which has been going for nine years with over 400 episodes under its belt, and which as an hour long program every Sunday night consistently rated better than 8 per cent and even the Saturday night replay the following week still got better than 6 per cent according to The ABC’s own national ratings figures."

Matter for you if you want to go down the petition path but in my experience the best way is via personal snail mail or email. Up to you entirely.


Best,

Les D

[Glenhuon]

I did give some thought to sending an email, but decided it was pointless. The "Dumbing Down" disease has obviously reached epidemic proportions in the ABC as well. Sad, but that's the way our society is nowadays. Bread and Circuses (or in this case Beer and Balls) did not die out with the Roman Empire after all, unfortunately.

Bill

[bipedalhumanoid]

Hi Les,

Those questions were not in relation to star stuff but rather the weekend halftime programme. Just trying to get my wording right. I don't want to refer to weekend halftime as a 'new' show if it is not and I don't want to say Helen Thomas 'presents' it if she does not.

As for the 'petition path' it isn't necessary to choose one method over the other. I have emailed news radio and intend to write to Mark Scott and my federal MP (who also happens to be the current treasurer). I don't see how it could be a bad thing to have a petition as well.

rgds,

James

[HumanaScope]

Hi all,

I've been involved in the ABC Communities thread about this atrocity and the conclusion has come down to trying to shame the three ABC radio execs that have it in for StarStuff (and LUV footy it seems instead) by getting Letters to the Editor published in the major dailies.

Has anyone got anything published yet?

I've just fired off about five. Heaven knows what will result.

:shrug:

[HumanaScope]

"Actually looking at the text of the 200 word summary of the issues I got together for the Editorial pages the sentence that leaps out is: " There is evidence the Federal Government has been misled about the whole matter."

Anything MORE we've got yet on this aspect - about BLOCK programming and communication with the Minister's office?

[bipedalhumanoid]

Good Idea. I tried to write to the courier mail but could not complete the process of filling out the form because it requires me to provide an Australian address and phone number. I no longer live in Australia. I'll send something off in the snail mail but it will take two weeks to get there and when it does they might not publish it purely because I am not based in Australia (makes it difficult for them to verify who I am).

Politicians might not be interested in receiving my mail either as I am no longer on the electoral role :(

...But try I will!

[HumanaScope]

Well in situations like this doing anything is better than nothing.

Hopefully more local residents are making the effort to write to the papers and the Head of ABC and the Minister.

It is so interesting that StarStuff has been under the gun before and was looked at in Senate committee.

How important is the Cosmos? Especially when compared to a game that "always has four quarters and two halfs."

All the best.

[Still_searching]

I have started a petition on-line at

http://www.gopetition.com.au/online/20716.html

Hopefully this will get enough focus to have the program back up and running. Needs everyone to support it though.

[Davros]

Signature one :thumbsup:

[bipedalhumanoid]

I've also signed and have pasted this link in a few places.

http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/save-abc-news-radio-starstuff-program.html (http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/save-abc-news-radio-starstuff-program.html)

[HumanaScope]

Excellent petition, you have my signature.

Everyone also please get letters to the Editors, the Minister's office, and the Head of ABC.

[rogerg]

Not that I don't support a petition, but I find it a bit odd that given the circumstances the petition has these conditions against it:

1) Stuart Gary is maintained as the program producer and presenter.

2) The program format remains unchanged.

Why do I find that odd? Well if we're wanting something like this back isn't it worth making it easy as possible for the ABC to return the show? Ie, least conditions. I like Stuart Gary, but what if half the reason it got axed was ABC not getting along with Stuart Gary? And who's to say someone else wouldn't do an equal job? And I liked the format, but who's to say there's not a better format which is easier to be implemented but still gets 30+mins dedicated to astronomy/science?

:shrug:

Roger.

[DistroMan]

If'n ya want a dollar, ask for two. :thumbsup:

[bipedalhumanoid]

I proposed some wording for a petition nearly a week ago and requested that people comment on it and make suggestions. I didn't get a single response. If you wanted to have some input into the wording of a petition you could have done so then.

I'm just glad somebody took the initiative and I support this petition 100%.

[HumanaScope]

Stuart Gary has given so much service to the fields of Astronomy and Cosmology and broadcasting that he ought to be in line for an Order of Australia award rather than being summarily cast off into the shadows.

If his services had been in any sport then he would have been up for interview today on News Radio as a VIP, as Anne Fulward was doing with some ex footy player "who should stand for mayor of Melbourne" because of his services to sport and sports broadcasting.

StarStuff is a rare beast in the Australian media landscape and as such would always be in the sights of the tall poppy mowers.

It's very important that any campaign to get it back strive to get it back as it was before axing without changes that could leave it open to be killed off later when the heat is off management.

I've seen this kind of thing too many times before. It applies in media and all areas of public life:

:( Favourite tactic 1 of bureaucrats out to kill (so it stays killed) a popular program: allow it back but with one of their people in charge. Let them run it on to the rocks and close it down as a failure. THEREFORE: Stuart Gary needs to be in charge of his own hard worked for creation.

I would wonder about moving it to RN as others have suggested. There is a whole well established Science culture at RN that may very well not appreciate a new fish in their pond. We need Mr Gary's input before that move is suggested.

Why not have it stay where it is with guarantees of it's longevity? Why should the wishes of the trio who axed it be respected when they have demonstrated such contempt for the listeners and obviously prefer football?

:mad2: Favourite tactic 2 of bureaucrats out to kill (so it stays killed) a popular program: allow it back, but deprive it of exposure so that it loses some support base and so can then be killed off later on those grounds.

For this reason I would oppose it just being turned into a Podcast program. This would reduce the programs profile massively for NO GOOD REASON. StarStuff was already defying the credo that "local production is expensive production." Why shouldn't it be allowed air time?

This is the only point I'd change in the petition. But in an incredibly difficult fight like this the point is far less important than the clear message of the petition and I urge people to sign it. A lot can be done with a clear demonstration of support like that.

As it stands there's going to have to be a LOT more ruckus made before the people responsible for StarStuff's axing relent and allow Stuart Gary back on the air:help:.

They are no doubt hoping that he will be suffocated professionally by passing time and enforced invisibility and forced to "just go away..."

Every action to get news of this travesty out is so necessary.

[bipedalhumanoid]

STAR STUFF IS BACK!

At least in pod cast format on ABC science online. A new episode was released today :D

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/science/podcast/starstuff/starstuff20080724.mp3

You can subscribe here:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/podcast/starstuff.xml

And get a description here:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/feeds/


I agree with humanscope that we should continue with the petition and get the show back on the air... but we should also support the podcast. Sign the petition, subscribe to the podcast and write many letters!

[HumanaScope]

:D YIPEEE!!!!

Have a look at the spelling on the feed pages like at:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/podcast/starstuff.xml

"StarStuff with Sturat Gary"

Hmmm... has a sense of hurriedness about it... but hopefully they will spell check soon...:)

LISTENING to the Podcast, it is the same Stuart Gary and StarStuff back.

This is a happy day!

:welcome: back from the (mercifully short) wilderness excursion Stuart!

We will need to keep supporting this show.

Please sign the petition still!

http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/save-abc-news-radio-starstuff-program.html (http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/save-abc-news-radio-starstuff-program.html)

[bipedalhumanoid]

What's wrong with the spelling? I was quite fond of today's exploration of the soloar system. :lol:

[sheeny]

The sun has oars??? Where's it rowing to???:lol:

that's good news about the PODcast:thumbsup:.

Al.

[HumanaScope]

He he, congratulations mate!

[DistroMan]

The beginning of this podcast starts with 'This is the last episode'.:eyepop:

[sheeny]

Oh....:sadeyes:

I haven't downloaded it yet (I'm waiting till tomorrow to start a new month's download allocation).

Al.

[HumanaScope]

I think you may still be getting your feed from the NewsRadio site DistroMan.

The new podcast is available from the ABC Radio Science site NOT NewsRadio:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/podcast/starstuff.xml

it has yesterday's date in the filename: starstuff20080724.mp3

And begins:

"Coming up on StarStuff...at ABC Science Online .....We're pleased to say that rumours of our death have been somewhat exagerated, at least for now, thanks to ABC Science Online for allowing us to use their platform as the new home for StarStuff..."

It is to be hoped NewsRadio will link to the new site on their StarStuff page, otherwise whose to know the show is back?

Also it is to be hoped the podcast will be given due support at the ABC Radio Science so people know it's available. Obviously there isn't the presence on radio schedules and voice on air that a broadcast show has.

I do feel that the "at least for now" shows the situation still bears watching.

[overlord]

Atrocity? :lol: So what's Hitler then, a horseman of the apocalypse? I mean really!

Let's face it. Star Stuff was a good program, but it's over. Yes, i used to wait for it to come on at night, but, really there are better things to do with one's time than listening to someone salivating over rings on Saturn and dribbling over the lesser known phenomena of distant quasars which no one gives two straws about. And besides, what's the point? Life goes on.

Who do you think has more fans? Star stuff, or big brother? And look what they've done with that. Do you really think some goverment beurocrats give a damn about the opinion of 15 amateur astronomers? You're all wasting your time. Who are you to say that your unnecessary expenditure of energy, and congruous production of entropy isn't litering the universe with mysterious dark matter, thus further obliterating our view of God's creation? Who do you think you are, and what are your credentials to deny this?

Face up to it. Star stuff is over, gone, dead and buried. It's finito, caput, extinct, no longer extant. It lies entombed now, in a shallow grave, whilst the ABC spit on it's corpse, and those few morners who did bother to turn up to it's funeral sadly refuse to accept the inevitability of the situation.

I could end this rant by saying `This is just my 2c', thus mitigating responsibility and ruining the effect, but I won't since I mean what i say. No-one really listens to it, so let it die a natural death. Nothing dies which is not moribund with the agents of death.

Thanks.

[bipedalhumanoid]

Try getting over yourself. That's a sure way to loosen the strings. Good for longevity too.



Not it isn't over. Praps you should read a thread before commenting.



What's the point of writing a book whinging about the way other people spend their time? Why are you so offended by the way I choose to spend my time?



Right... so it's just another self righteous religious troll. I'll celebrate the flying spaghetti monster's creation any way I damn well choose thank you very much!



Again, no it isn't. Try reading a thread before commenting.



Snore...



Wow that's a hell of a lot of effort you've just gone to try to disuade people from signing a petition and sending a few letters. I can't even begin to fathom your motives. Usually if someone doesn't care enough to bother with something they also don't care enough to write 277 words telling everyone else not to bother. Strange person.

[bipedalhumanoid]

Star Stuff's new ABC science web page is now up and running...

http://www.abc.net.au/science/starstuff/

[overlord]

Well, you see, my Irish friend, I am part of a gigantic earth shattering `conspiracy' to deny you and you alone the capability of partaking in the practice of your favourite hobby.

I can see what an earnest and precocious intellect you are to have wondered at discerning my `motives'. You must be very proud of yourself for unmasking my nefarious hidden agenda to deny you access your hobby. :P

[DistroMan]

:shrug: :whistle:

[iceman]

Honestly, why bother trying to start an argument in this thread?

This thread is obviously for people that do care about it. If you're not one of them, that's your opinion and your right. So perhaps you don't need to reply to this thread at all?

[HumanaScope]

Looks like a smokescreen to me.

Well I'll say it again. FYI to any interested parties:

The first of the new StarStuff podcasts is available from the ABC Radio Science site NOT NewsRadio:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/podcast/starstuff.xml

it has yesterday's date in the filename: starstuff20080724.mp3

And begins:

"Coming up on StarStuff...at ABC Science Online .....We're pleased to say that rumours of our death have been somewhat exagerated, at least for now, thanks to ABC Science Online for allowing us to use their platform as the new home for StarStuff..."

It is to be hoped NewsRadio will link to the new site on their StarStuff page, otherwise who's to know the show is back?

Also it is to be hoped the podcast will be given due support at the ABC Radio Science so people know it's available. Obviously there isn't the presence on radio schedules and voice on air that a broadcast show has.

I do feel that the "at least for now" shows the situation still bears watching.

[HumanaScope]

There is a report in another forum that the Sydney Morning Herald’s radio editor Sue Javes may run a story in next Monday’s Guide on the matter.

[bipedalhumanoid]

It seems that Sue Javes did write a report on Star Stuff's axing in today's paper. I can't see any trace of it in the SMH but the article is in the Australian Financial Review...



http://afr.com/home/viewer.aspx?ATL://20080728000030070738&title=Radio

Although you have to subscribe to see the whole thing.

[bipedalhumanoid]

SHOT INTO CYBER SPACE

The ABC has been bombarded with complaints following a decision by NewsRadio to scrap the long-running astronomy show StarStuff. Blogs have sprung up urging disappointed listeners to contact their member of Parliament in a bid to have the "uneducated and ill-informed" decision overturned. ABC radio talks boss Margaret Cassidy says it's a matter of prioritising resources. She says StarStuff presenter Stuart Gary is needed to work on the main news desk five days a week and the specialist program does not fit with the station's rolling news format. the bloggers argue that NewsRadio has no trouble running block programming when it comes to sport yet can't devote half an hour a week to scientific endeavour. A compromise of sorts has been reached. The show will be offered as a podcast by ABC Science Online at abc.net.au/science/feeds.

[bipedalhumanoid]

so far so good. We have 71 signatures but we need more. A lot more. If anyone can think of anywhere to post this link that it hasn't been posted already please do. We need as many signatures as we can get to prove to all the potential stakeholders (including Radio National) how popular this show is.

http://gopetition.com.au/petitions/save-abc-news-radio-starstuff-program/sign.html

[Zuts]

Obviously if no-one cared we wouldnt even have a podcast, so who knows, if enough people sign the petition it may be enough to raise the awareness of a few pollies and we may get lucky ... :)

Paul

[bipedalhumanoid]

I've just emailed Australian Skeptics to see if there is any help they can offer. We have 83 signatures but we really need a lot more than that. We need access to a lot more potential signers than we have available to us in the few forums in which we have presented the petition.

[bipedalhumanoid]

Barry Williams from Australian Skeptics came back to me with the following...



This should give us quite a boost :)

[bipedalhumanoid]

This was News Radio's science and technology coverate in the summer of year 2000...

Schedule current February 2000.
All times Eastern Standard Time.
(SA/NT minus 30 mins,WA minus 2 hrs).
Times approximate and subject to change due to special news/sport coverage.

Weekdays

0505 StarStuff Early Edition- Astronomy/Space Science (Mon only) (25 mins)
0530 NetNews - Internet and Computers (Mon only) (25 mins)
0650 Computer and Technology News Update (3 mins)
0750 Computer and Technology News Update (3 mins)
0850 Computer and Technology News Update (3 mins)
0950 Computer and Technology News Update (3 mins)
1205 NetNews - Internet and Computers (Mon only) (25 mins)
1230 StarStuff Astronomer's Edition- Astronomy/Space Science (Mon only) (25 mins)
1525 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2025 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
Saturday

1735 Saturday Night Science Preview (5 mins)
1905 StarStuff Early Edition- Astronomy/Space Science (25 mins)
2040 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2045 Radio Netherlands, The Research File Pt 1 (20 mins)
2105 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2110 Radio Netherlands, The Research File Pt 2 (10 mins)
2125 Bernie's Big Fat Science (5 mins)
2135 BBC Science in Action (25 mins)
2205 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2210 The Science Report (20 mins)
2215 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2220 The Science Report (20 mins)
2225 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2235 StarStuff - Astronomy and Space Sciences (25 mins)
Sunday

1205 NetNews - Internet and Computers (25 mins)
1335 StarStuff Preview (5 mins)
1840 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
1910 StarStuff Early Edition Part 1
1940 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2015 StarStuff Early Edition Part 2
2040 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2115 StarStuff Early Edition Part 3
2140 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2215 Science and Technology News Update (5 mins)
2235 StarStuff Astronomer's Edition - Astronomy and Space Sciences (20 mins)

This is the current schedule...
http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/schedule/

The word 'science' doesn't appear in it at all.

[HumanaScope]

I can't help wondering about the misspelling on the feed page ("Sturat Gary" & "Soloar System" etc) - probably just a mistake. Very odd mistakes & took ages to fix though. Who knows.

What is clear is the extreme hatred out there (and in parts of the ABC it seems) of anything that smacks of thinking, science, looking beyond the dirt and $....

What's happened with StarStuff is symptomatic.

It's a line in the sand for anyone who wants more than just "thud, groan, ROAR. Thud... Groan... Thud..." wall to wall all weekend

People please get your friends to sign the petition.

[bipedalhumanoid]

They were in a mad rush to get the new star stuff web site up and running. A few typos were inevitible. They told us that in the abc science forum.

http://www2b.abc.net.au/science/k2/stn/newposts/3711/topic3711373.shtm

[HumanaScope]

Strange, there was no reference at all in that thread to the typos or any of the process in getting the new star stuff web site up and running.

Reading through that thread the only message from the ABC bod was "Put your petitions away, forumites! StarStuff is SAVED!"

As usual with the state of ABC transparency there was no more news than that.

Are you thinking of another thread possibly James? There have been so many about this matter. Any information about what is going on would be good.

The latest things I've heard and seen is a regular News Radio news presenter verbally refer to StarStuff's new home and its URL yesterday morning - A PLUS.

However NewsRadio still hasn't edited the old StarStuff page (at http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/programs/STARSTUFF.htm) to give the link to the new home. The new incarnation of StarStuff is still not mentioned, just the message "After eight years on the radio StarStaff has taken its last journey across the Universe."

A clear Change Of Address sign would be basic to a successful move of any type I would say?

The new program is obviously in a new development stage. Everyone is waiting for the second edition, after the excellent, but short program of the 24th.

A clear idea of the length and schedule of the new program is eagerly awaited by many I'm sure.

[bipedalhumanoid]

Was referring to this...


They said they have been busy working behind the scenes creating a new starstuff homepage and a new stastuff podcast.

[HumanaScope]

I take it signatures are still wanted for the "Get StarStuff back on the Air" petition?

[bipedalhumanoid]

New star stuff episode released...
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/science/podcast/starstuff/starstuff20080806.mp3

[berg meister]

Maybe Australian amateur astrnomers could co-operative an internet radio server and start producing our own stuff on radio on-line?

Sad at yet more quality program lost.

[rogerg]

I find this confusing. I listened to the whole episode (great episode as per always) and it certainly seems recent as the date of the mp3 filename would suggest and he says he'll be back next week! But on the ABC website there's no update and the new episode is not listed.

At the end Stuart thanks the ABC for the use of the equipment etc (can't remember exact wording). Is it that Stuart Garry is doing it off his own back?

If he is then I hope a way is provided for people who enjoy the podcasts to donate towards the cause.

Certainly great news to have another episode. :thumbsup:

Roger.

[rogerg]

OK, i should've read down the last few posts more, I see there's a new website... still somewhat confused, but looks good :thumbsup:

[HumanaScope]

One of the most important things to keep one's friends and so on when one changes address is proper COA notification.

To this end I'm glad to see that NewsRadio has finally put an automatic COA to the new ABC Radio Science Starstuff page when one clicks on the old address (http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/programs/STARSTUFF.htm).

I truly hope that the ABC will continue to support this Cosmic program as it deserves.

I still would like it back on the air, but look forward to the next podcast.

It's a lot better than nothing.

[stuart gary]

Hey everyone,
All your support has been great and you'll be pleased to know that ABC Science has come to the rescue and provided a new platform for StarStuff.
the new URL is http://www.abc.net.au/science/starstuff

There's still no broadcast version for people who dont have or cant afford a computer, but there is a petition there which I hope you will consider signing.
cheers
Stuart Gary

[RB]

Cheers Stuart. :thumbsup:

We've also got a thread here on IIS asking people to sign the petition.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=34221&highlight=starstuff

Let's keep it going.

[Dark Star]

I saw an earlier post in which some hansard questions were put to the ABC about StarStuff in senate estimates by Senator Michael Ronaldson a few years ago.
The response provided by the ABC at that time, failed to honestly answer the questions put by the Senator.
The answers given by the ABC to the communications minister about StarStuff has again failed to provide the whole truth, as demonstrated by some of the points provided thanks to Les and his sources which were posted previously in this forum.
Well Senate Estimates is on again in October and the ABC will be there cap in hand telling our elected officials what a great job it's doing serving the needs of all Australians (except for those who love astronomy, but don’t have access to a computer.)
May I respectfully suggest that if a forum moderator has the time, all the material posted about StarStuff in the IceInSpace forum be forwarded to the good Senator in the hope that he may decide to force the ABC to provide the whole truth rather than just the bits that don’t make it look bad.
I just happen to have his e-mail address handy.
senator.ronaldson@aph.gov.au (senator.ronaldson@aph.gov.au)
The bottom line is complaining to the ABC, all the letters, the e-mails and the calls didn’t bring StarStuff back. NewsRadio manager Helen Thomas, Head of National Networks Margaret Cassidy and head of Radio Sue Howard simply stonewalled. If they wont bring the program back to NewsRadio or alternatively somewhere like Radio National as previously suggested, then they need to be made publicly accountable for their actions and personally appear before Senate Estimates to answer a few questions about how they’re spending my hard earned money.
DarkStar

[bipedalhumanoid]

I'm still not prepared to let this issue die!

Is there anyone left who hasn't yet signed the petition to get star stuff back on the air?

http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/save-abc-news-radio-starstuff-program.html

Lets get this awesome show back on the air!:thumbsup:

[Dark Star]

There’s some interesting news from a secret source with in the ABC on the StarStuff Front.
ABC NewsRadio Manager Helen Thomas has refused to allow the shows creator Stuart Gary the use of available, spare or unused NewsRadio studio facilities at any time for any work towards the show, forcing him to go to another part of the building rather than use empty studio facilities less than two metres from his work station.
That's interesting because "lack of resources" was one of the reasons given by the ABC for axing the show on NewsRadio. But based on this incident it would seem resources arnt really the issue at all!
Thomas has also told other NewsRadio staff members that they are not to run any material from StarStuff on NewsRadio regardless of its news worthiness.
This is the same Helen Thomas who last year decided that a key note address by the then prime minister on Australia’s future nuclear policy wasn’t newsworthy enough to break into prerecorded overseas programming.
Mr. Gary wouldn’t want me telling you any of this, but I think you have the right to know how your taxpayer dollars are being spent.
What do you think?:scared:

[ngcles]

Hi Darkstar,

Wow, that sucks. That's my taxpayer dollars thanks Helen -- its only your money to spend on my behalf.

Not at all happy.

Grrrr ...

Best,

Les D

[caleb]

Nooo, I only got into it a month ago and had to download the podcasts. Do you have Dr Karls email address to?

I guess ABC aren't interested in him anymore either.

And this is a governemt station, WTF. Why can't they give people a variety.

Just last night I was hoping for a show on ABC called 'Star Stuff'.

Good on ya CH10 for those awesome TenHD Docos... Wow, now it's a devoted to NFL and called ONE... As well as channel Ten having no High Definition channel. I have a plasma for high definition television. SD aint cut it anymore.

Lets face it, all the sport coming from the US seems to be terrible quality anyway.

And congrats to Seven/Prime for using their HD channels, although putting a crappy movie from the 50's is great in HD... Gotta love the grainy B&W...

Anyway:shrug: