Dear Friends, Just checking in to let you know what’s been happening. On Fri 28th April, Lucky Oceans (The Daily Planet) officially ended his contract with ABC RN. Enormous thanks to Lucky from us all; for your contribution to music & culture in Australia. You are sorely missed. The following Sunday (30th), the following op-ed “Questions must be asked over ABC's decision to cut music radio programs” appeared in Fairfax media and has resulted in increased publicity and support for our campaign. Thank you, Paul Malone. Link: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/questions-must-be-asked-over-abcs-decision-to-cut-music-radio-programs-20170428-gvuxjx.html PIMPOD: Paul Gough (former presenter of The Inside Sleeve) has officially launched his website and podcast featuring two shows; Quiet Space & 1/2/3/4. Have a look and subscribe! Paul is also willing to accommodate those of you without reliable internet access. Just ask… http://www.pimpod.com https://www.facebook.com/Pimpodcasts/ FAIRFAX: We are appalled by recent decisions made by management at Fairfax resulting in the loss of 115 jobs. This decision, like cuts to Radio National music shows, poses dire implications for Australian music & arts culture. As senior music journalist Bernard Zuel warns: “Theatre and concert reviews? Literature? Features on local artists and visiting ones? Album reviews? News on funding and management? Discussion of life? Forget about it. …if you consume arts and culture, or work in it, or care about it - which is most of you - this is where you can watch it slide away or make an effort to save it". You can help by signing this petition by TOMORROW (Thursday 10 May) https://www.meaa.org/campaigns/fair-go-fairfax/ For those of you wondering, the shows may have disappeared but the music & audience have NOT. This campaign will continue to lobby for the return of this music to the ABC - reaching the widest audience possible - and will be making announcements in coming weeks. A final and enormous thank you to Billy Bragg, who donned a t-shirt in support of our campaign. To paraphrase the man himself: "REJECT CYNICISM & CHOOSE ACTIVISM!” Cheers, from the #saveRNmusic Campaign Team www.savernmusic.com