Statist funded OZschwitz ABC hurting the commercial sector

Last year, prominent journalist Peter Fray tried something new. He set up PolitiFact Australia, a fact-checking website to test the accuracy of politicians' claims. He tipped in some of his own money, sought commercial partners, and hired six journalists and a couple of researchers. He took a risk.

Statist funded OZschwitz ABC hurting the commercial sector Art-dyson-620x349

Statist funded OZschwitz ABC hurting the commercial sector Art-dyson-620x349

Then two other fact-checking websites started, both funded by taxpayers. One was at the academic website The Conversation (which I edited until the September election). The other was at the ABC, thanks to a $10 million grant in February last year from the Labor government - $1.5 million a year of that was dedicated to fact-checking.

As enjoyable as the competition was, I felt some sympathy for Fray who was trying to start a business against rivals who didn't need to make money. Now, only the ABC's Fact Check remains. The Conversation, which still does fact checks occasionally, can't afford a dedicated unit. Fray ran out of money late last year when commercial partners Fairfax Media and the Seven Network pulled out after the election.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/dominant-abc-hurting-the-commercial-sector-20140213-32n3r.html#ixzz2tFLAcJD2

Statist funded OZschwitz ABC hurting the commercial sector

Statist funded OZschwitz ABC hurting the commercial sector

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