Reports this morning alleged that the ABC chairman, Justin Milne, sought to interfere in editorial and staffing decisions at the ABC. MEAA believes that, if true, they would indicate Mr Milne has no understanding of editorial independence, proper complaints handling processes, or the appropriate distance a board chair needs to keep from staffing matters.
Staff meetings were held at ABC offices today. The resolutions below were passed by staff members at these locations.
Passed at ABC Ultimo:
“We call for an independent inquiry into the allegations that have been made in the media today, and for the chairman to stand down in the interim while the investigation takes place. The idea behind the investigation is to secure the editorial independence of the ABC from top to bottom.”
Passed at ABC Melbourne:
"ABC staff in Melbourne are calling for the chairman Justin Milne to stand aside while an independent inquiry takes place. The ABC is, and always has been, a fiercely independent news organisation and it is of no concern to our program makers or journalists whether they are hated by any government. We are dismayed that the chairman of our own board is exerting political pressure behind closed doors. Mr Milne’s position as chairman of the board is untenable if he does not support the ABC’s fierce pursuit of journalism without political interference."
Passed by ABC Brisbane:
"This meeting calls on the chairman to publicly acknowledge if the political interference in the reported email is true and, if so, immediately resign from his position”.
Passed by ABC Tasmania newsroom:
"ABC MEAA staff in the Tasmanian newsroom join calls for the Chairman Justin Milne to stand aside while an independent inquiry takes place. We are dismayed that the chairman of our own board appears to be exerting political pressure behind closed doors. Mr Milne’s position as chairman of the board is untenable if he does not support the ABC’s fierce pursuit of journalism without political interference."
No comments:
Post a Comment