Most often the commentary is underpinned by the ever-challenging changes to media consumption and structures which has placed great pressure and scrutiny on the businesses involved.

National broadcaster the ABC has not been immune from the discussion.

Since the election of the Abbott government it has operated amid high speculation of significant and ongoing cuts to its budget. 

These cuts are supported in some sections of the commercial media which says the ABC is crowding already crowded multi-platform spaces.

Putting this debate to one side, there is the significant issue of what further cuts to the ABC will mean to the provision of news and entertainment to regional and rural Australia. There are many communities in these areas of Australia serviced by maybe just a newspaper — many of them owned by Fairfax Media — and the ABC. 

There are few commercial radio stations remaining outside major regional centres and even fewer locally-based television options.

The vibrancy of a good democracy and the cornerstone of community sustainability relies upon diverse and multi-dimensional media options. In the modern digital age, it means that unique local content is even more necessary and relevant than ever before.

Cuts to the ABC which result in reduced state and localised services, as flagged this week, is already politically unpopular.

It confirms a promise from Prime Minister Tony Abbott from before the federal election is broken. 

It potentially harms the Liberal and National Party members of parliaments who have ABC stations and production houses in their seats and it does nothing to enhance the reputation of the government as encouraging media scrutiny.

It’s true that in an environment where the government has committed to across the board budget savings, that the ABC must come under scrutiny. 

The government and ABC management must surely be aware however that the community is unlikely to be forgiving for what it will see as just another reduction in vital services it expects, and wants.