It is perhaps a testament of our time, or a testament to the nation’s appetite (or lack thereof) for a reality cooking show than the reality of taking part in Australia’s social, economic and political future.

As mentioned previously, ABC News 24 will launch tonight at 19:30 hrs AEST (11.30 CET). A new chapter in Australian television, and social and global engagement begins. Scott Bevan, who will be a regular presenter of ABC News 24’s The World, said:

“The launch of ABC News 24 is must-watch television for anyone interested in Australia – its politics, future and role in the world.”

Australia: its politics, future and role in the world. Some inspiring collection of words. Enough to make anyone sit up and take note.

I was at the Lowy Institute today for a talk on Asia’s Nuclear Power Future. The Chair announced that the event was being held under the Chatham House Rule. The rule reads:

“When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.”

There is only one rule, that is why it is called the Chatham House Rule. Not Rules. As seen with this recent article, many people in the media and public discourse continue to give the rule plurality. There is only one rule, so the correct form is the singular Rule. Now I hope I do not sound like a pedant.

As mentioned earlier the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s new continuous news service, called ABC News 24, is set to launch next week at 19.30 hrs (AEST) on Thursday, 22 July 2010. In about seven days, for the first time, Australia will have its own, free-to-air, 24 hours continuous news service. And it is about time.

Gaven Morris, the Head of Continuous News at ABC News 24, in an interview with Televised Revolution, offered some insights into the new service. The interesting one is that ABC News 24 will be able to be streamed live on ABC iView, the internet television catch up site. iView will now be more than a ‘catch up’ site. Currently, the ABC delivers three national television networks, ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, and ABC News 24 will be the fourth. It also has five national radio networks. It is well placed to deliver a continuous and breaking news service. It was the ABC that broke news of the Labor leadership spill which toppled prime minister Kevin Rudd.

In a follow up to my previous post on the future of the newspaper industry. The OECD recently released a report on the future of news and the Internet. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the opportunities and challenges the global newspaper industry faces. The report shows 20 out of 30 OECD countries are facing a decline in newspaper circulation and that the US and UK have seen the heaviest decline.

“UK circulation has fallen by 25% between 2007-09, second only to the US, where the decline was 30%. Greece (20%), Italy (18%) and Canada (17%) have also seen significant falls.”

Today marks the 70th anniversary of General de Gaulle’s BBC broadcast to the French people. Even though they were under Nazi occupation, he urged that “the flame of French resistance must not, and will not be extinguished.”

When I am in London, I often stay at the Naval & Military, on 4 St James Square. The house used to belong to Lady Astor, the first female to sit as a member of the British parliament. The house was also used by the London headquarters of the Free French Forces. My slight brush with history.

Though only mentioned in passing in the media coverage, it should not be overlooked what role the BBC provided in the war. As a free press it was the only source of information for most of occupied Europe. The Nazis made listening to BBC Radio a crime, punishable by death. Those who deride the BBC (and ABC) as a waste of public money, should read their history books. Sure, services can be improved and made more efficient. But there is a need for such a public broadcaster.

The future of the humble newspaper has been debated and discussed over the past few years. In 2006 The Economist famously asked ‘Who killed the newspaper?’ Well, no one. Yet. But just last week, the French daily  Le Monde was ‘put up for sale’ as it was losing €25 million a year. A decision on the new owner is expected in a few days.

With rising printing costs and falling advertising revenue media moguls are trying to be innovative. Later this month The Times and The Sunday Times will start charging for online content. A move watched closely by other newspapers, and dismissed by many more. Last year the London Evening Standard became a freesheet in a bid to boost circulation and attract higher ad revenues. But its not just the printed papers which are in trouble. Online only papers, (pure player), can also run into trouble. A few days ago, the Dutch English daily NRC International suspended publication. It will focus on providing its news in Dutch only.