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Arbitration fails to resolve dispute between SBS and sacked reporter Scott McIntyre

McIntyre

McIntyre

Initial arbitration between sacked TV reporter Scott McIntyre and SBS has failed to resolve the dispute, it has emerged.

The Fair Works Commission has confirmed that a confidential hearing has taken place between the parties but declined to comment further.

However, Mumbrella understands the matter remains unresolved with McIntyre retaining the services of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.

It is unclear what the next step will involve although it is unlikely Fair Works Commission will stage another hearing. Both parties declined to comment on details of the hearing, with SBS describing the case as “on going”.

The football reporter was fired after he sent a series of Anzac Day tweets which SBS management described as “inappropriate and disrespectful” towards Anzac troops.

SBS managing director Michael Ebeid said McIntyre had compromised the “integrity of the network and audience trust”.

But McIntyre contested the claim and launched a discrimination case against the broadcaster claiming it did “not follow due process” when it fired him.

Law firm Maurice Blackburn earlier said the case will hinge on whether SBS overstepped its powers by axing the journalist “without a proper investigation”.

It also argued that McIntyre was entitled to air his political opinion without risk of losing his job.

The story has sparked significant debate, with a petition in support of McIntyre calling for his reinstatement.

And at the Mumbrella360 conference last week, ABC head of current affairs Bruce Belsham noted how McIntyre, had not suggested his views were those of SBS.

Speaking in a conference session on free speech and free press, Belsham said he would have “had a conversation” with McIntye about the tweets.

Belsham said: “I would have certainly had a conversation with him, it was a pretty silly thing to do.

“We’ve had examples where reporters or members of staff have made comments on social media that have made us uncomfortable. We’ve had conversations with those people.”

Steve Jones 

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