Karen Percy resigns as Federal President of MEAA Media

MEAA thanks Karen Percy for her service as Federal President of our Media section for the past three years.

Karen has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of MEAA, to advocate for press freedom and ethical journalism, and to represent our members through good times and bad.

She has pursued diversity in the media industry and been a vocal advocate for a trauma-informed approach to reporting.

She will never be forgotten for her staunch campaigning for the release of Julian Assange from prison in the United Kingdom.

She has also represented MEAA at the International Federation of Journalists and on the board of the Walkley Foundation. We will miss her leadership.

Under MEAA’s rules, an elected officer can be replaced mid-term by the Board without a fresh election being held, and that process is already underway.

“On behalf of MEAA members, the Board and staff, I wish to thank Karen for her contribution as Media Federal President for the past three years, and prior to that more than four years as Federal Vice-President,”  said MEAA Federal President Michael Balk.

“MEAA will immediately begin the process of identifying a qualified replacement for Karen.

“We have a wealth of talent and experience within the National Media Section committee and our broader membership, and I am confident whoever is chosen to replace Karen will be a fine representative for our union.”

Ms Percy said she that after seven-and-a-half years as a member of MEAA’s leadership team, the time was right to direct her energies and efforts elsewhere, to take up other opportunities, and to begin a new life/work phase.

She will continue her connection with MEAA’s Wellbeing Committee to support better mental health across all sections of the union.

“It has been such an honour to serve as section President for the past three years, and as VP from 2017 to 2022, and to represent the wonderful journalists and media workers of Australia,” she said.

“Every day they do incredible work in the public interest in an industry that faces many challenges.

“Unity and solidarity are the cornerstones of the union movement. United we stand, divided we fall.

“It is crucial at this time of so much uncertainty in the news media, that we support each other and stand together.”