In an interview with The Weekend Australian, Mark Scott talks about website closures but denied the anticipated website closures were related to calls for the ABC to vacate the digital space and stop competing with commercial organisations. “Not at all,” he said. “We will be investing more in online and mobile services, but it will be done in a more focused way.” In the interview Mr Scott also:
Predicts a television revolution next year that could lead to the closure of some TV and radio broadcast transmissions and their replacement with internet streaming services.
Reveals plans to charge for some iView services may be extended to other ABC products, but said major news websites would remain free.
Rejects criticism of the ABC as “commercial self-interest”.
Accepts that the buck stops with him on editorial content regardless of whether he holds the title of editor-in-chief.
Pledges to see through the changes forced by the funding cuts before deciding whether to serve out his second full term as managing director, due to expire in July 2016.