The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia's national broadcaster. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-owned body that is politically independent and fully accountable, with its charter enshrined in legislation, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983. ABC Commercial, a profit-making division of the corporation, also helps to generate funding for content provision.
The ABC was established as the Australian Broadcasting Commission on 1 July 1932 by an act of federal parliament. It effectively replaced the Australian Broadcasting Company, a private company established in 1924 to provide programming for A-class radio stations. The ABC was given statutory powers that reinforced its independence from the government and enhanced its news-gathering role. Modelled on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which is funded by a television licence, the ABC was originally financed by consumer licence fees on broadcast receivers. Licence fees were abolished in 1973 and replaced by direct government grants, as well as revenue from commercial activities related to its core broadcasting mission. The ABC adopted its current name in 1983.The ABC provides radio, television, online, and mobile services throughout metropolitan and regional Australia. ABC Radio operates four national networks, a large number of ABC Local Radio stations, several digital stations, and the international service Radio Australia. ABC Television operates five free-to-air channels, as well as the ABC iview streaming service and the ABC Australia satellite channel. News and current affairs content across all platforms is produced by the news division.
1932Jul, 1
Australia's national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, was formed.
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Events on 1932
- 3Jan
United Fruit Company
Martial law is declared in Honduras to stop a revolt by banana workers fired by the United Fruit Company. - 18Feb
Manchuria
The Empire of Japan declares a puppet state of Manzhouguo (the obsolete Chinese name for Manchuria) independent from the Republic of China and installed former Chinese Emperor Aisin Gioro Puyi as Chief Executive of the State. - 1Mar
Lindbergh kidnapping
Charles Lindbergh's son is reportedly kidnapped. - 4May
Al Capone
In Atlanta, mobster Al Capone begins serving an eleven-year prison sentence for tax evasion. - 20Jul
Paul von Hindenburg
In the Preußenschlag ("Prussian coup"), German President Paul von Hindenburg dissolves the government of Prussia