ABC staff urged to stay out of politics as fight over broadcaster’s future ramps up
ABC’s management has asked staff not to publicly comment on the broadcaster’s future as the debate over the organisation’s role steps up.
In a staff note, ABC head of news Gaven Morris and editorial director Alan Sunderland told staff they are free to attend the public rallies being held by Friends of the ABC and publicly say “how great the ABC is”, but that they should not get involved in the political debate.
ABC head of news Gaven Morris: “Ultimately, we’re journalists and production professionals”
“It is perfectly understandable that ABC staff are proud of the ABC and keen to defend the organisation and what we stand for. Generally speaking, anyone who uses their social media to reinforce how great they think the ABC is on pretty safe ground,” wrote Morris.
“However, whether we like it or not, the ABC has recently become a political football in a highly contested and politically charged public debate. That means we need to take great care to ensure we don’t get sucked into that debate in ways that undermine our reputation.”
The rallies and staff note come as the national broadcaster finds itself under sustained attack from the Federal government, with communications minister Mitch Fifield blasting the broadcaster for ‘repeating Labor Lies’ and defending the government’s decision to freeze the national broadcaster’s funding.
In his memo, Morris told staff that it is management’s role to defend the broadcaster’s corporate position: “It’s fine for those with the responsibility of officially representing the ABC to put forward the ABC’s official corporate position. That’s what the MD did at the press club the other day.”
At a recent Melbourne Press Club lunch, ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie defended the broadcaster and warned the Australian electorate would not tolerate the ABC becoming a political punching bag.
While some prominent ABC broadcasters including John Faine and Phillip Adams have been given permission to speak at the Sydney and Melbourne rallies, Morris said this was on the proviso they do not engage in campaigning or make any political statements.
Morris told staff there were two key things to keep in mind:
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- Don’t use the ABC airwaves or ABC platforms to engage in any campaigning or partisan commentary about the current ABC debate
- Don’t use personal social media to campaign on the issue either.
“Ultimately, we’re journalists and production professionals,” Morris concluded. “Our personal views should always be very separate to the work we do on behalf of all Australians.”
What a load of crap! I’m sure ABC workers take pride in their positions and the company they work for, why should they be discouraged from supporting a media outlet that doesn’t cater to the bullshit of the Liberal party.
“Our personal views should always be very separate to the work we do on behalf of all Australians.” This should be the mantra of politicians not ABC employees.
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True. What’s a national broadcaster (or its employees) to do when the truth has a left-leaning bias. Or more to the point, if the definition of centre has been routinely shoved to the right be Murdoch et al.
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Yes, and no more swooning when Paul Keating is on.
Or looking like you want to throw a punch when interviewing Tony Abbott.
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“urged to” stay out of politics? What’s this “urged to”? They’re staff. They need to learn the rules of a workplace. Do as you’re damn-well told. Obey orders. Or you’re fired. What a public sector fantasyland – and we’re paying for these self-entitled losers.
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Australia is lucky to have public broadcaster. They will always come under scrutiny but should never be bullied by politicians for questioning. The problem with financial success is that it gives some people a sense of supreme authority over anyone who might question them.
Does Australia want to be Turkey?
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Can’t wait for your government funded mob to be brought to account. If you want to promote your “trendy” leftist agendas and foul language masquerading as comedy – go fund yourself.
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The ABC have only themselves to blame.
Just like the “shock and horror” that the general public support politicians who will secure our boarders and defend Australia’s interest not matter how that may look to the rest of the world, the general public do not want ABC “journalists” to show political, religious, gender or racial bias.
Our politicians fail when they become enticed by self interest and so do “journalists”.
But the problem is that unfortunately the general public can’t “get rid” of ABC “journalists” like we can “get rid” of politicians.The solution is to ban the ABC from political commentary altogether. I am old enough to remember when the ABC did not engage in “news” 24/7. When Harold Hold went missing we started to get the ABC broadcasting extended news. The 15 minute news bulletin 3 times a day was expanded and over the years became, AM, PM, This Day Night and it successor, the 7:30 report; News 24, Q & A, Insiders, the drum. It is typical public service behaviour; an organism that takes every opportunity to add “services”, becomes political, unionised and demands increased funding to justify the status quo.
In fact the AM program lately has become nothing more than “story” after “story” about the ills of society and the failure of government to fund organisations that pop up like mushrooms advocating solutions. Only a few months ago the story was about the failure of government to provide funding to grandparents with an interview of a grandmother having to provide child care for her 6 grandchildren while the parents “had” to work. And it goes on and on. Oh of course there is the obligatory interview of a politian about their portfolio responsbility with the inervitable ending twist to ask an off portfolio question about the latest ABC “political beat up”.
I say enough, cut all these programs and sack everyone employed producing them, especially the so called “chief political correspondents”. It is beyond a joke! The ABC is a wonderfull organisation and does not need these cancers. Cut them out!
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