ABC job cuts won’t serve audiences or future-proof the public broadcaster
Dozens of job cuts announced today will leave gaping holes in the ABC’s journalism around Australia, says the union for media workers.
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance says the ABC’s decision to make its political editor redundant along with dozens of experienced journalists will inevitably weaken its ability to deliver quality journalism to the Australian public.
Local news coverage will also be lessened, particularly through the axing of the state-based 7pm Sunday television and iView news bulletins.
MEAA delegates have called on management to meet with them in order to fulfill requirements under its workplace agreement to consult with unions prior to any major changes.
MEAA Media Director Cassie Derrick has said the targeting of long-standing, experienced journalists will hurt the ABC’s reporting now and well into the future.
“The ABC has been running on empty for the past decade and we are concerned about how it can continue to deliver quality public interest journalism with even fewer staff following these cuts,” she said.
“Local journalism in our country continues to be eroded, and these cuts are a further insult to local audiences.
“MEAA members will be demanding a voice at the table to ensure the ABC does continue to deliver the news and other content that the Australian public deserves.
“The recent enterprise bargaining agreement was a chance for ABC management to reset its relationship with the workforce. It hasn’t got off to a good start.”
MEAA calls on the ABC to explore all options for redeployment of staff before moving to redundancies, and to offer voluntary redundancies before forced redundancies.
ABC job cuts won’t serve audiences or future-proof the public broadcaster
Last update: June 16, 2023
