‘The trial has confirmed our worst fears: the ABC’s independence is not adequately protected’: Staff demand immediate action
Hundreds of ABC staffers have called for an independent inquiry into their workplace, with employees saying they are “dismayed by the revelations” emerging from the Antoinette Lattouf trial and “disgusted by the ABC’s handling of the case”.
Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance members at the ABC met on Thursday, following revelations during the trial of what they claim is “external pressure” and “outside interference” influencing both the dismissal of Antoinette Lattouf, and prior attempts to sack reporters Emma Alberici and Andrew Probyn.
Antoinette Lattouf
In addition, the staffers have reacted with disgust on the ABC’s position in court that Lattouf had not “demonstrated the existence of a Lebanese, Arab or Middle Eastern race”, saying that line of defence “destroys any hope that the ABC intends to address the systemic racism identified by the Janke review of last year.”
The Janke review was an independent report commissioned by ABC managing director David Anderson in May 2023, and led by Indigenous lawyer Dr Terri Janke. She delivered the report in October, with 15 recommendations to improve the ABC’s systems and processes.
After interviewing 120 current and former ABC staff, including people who are First Nations, CALD, and allies, Janke said the response “overwhelmingly indicates that racism exists within the ABC workplace, and that ABC staff are subjected to racism from external individuals and organisations in connection with their work.”
Dr. Terri Janke
The ABC staffers are also demanding an end to what they dubbed “special hotlines” that allow external groups to curry favour and influence within the ABC; improved transparency about complaints and lobbying activities directed at both the chair and managing director; and “an explicit acceptance by the ABC that they will not require any proof that it is possible to be racist to a Lebanese/Arab/Middle Eastern person” – as well as an apology for making this argument during the court proceedings.
“As a public broadcaster, the ABC must act as a model litigant,” the ABC National House Committee said in a statement.
“We demand it immediately disavows this position and acknowledges, without qualification, that Lebanese, Arab and Middle Eastern people can be subject to racial discrimination.
“The trial has confirmed our worst fears: the ABC’s independence is not adequately protected. Across successive leaderships, political pressure has influenced the ABC chair, leading to breaches of our independence. There has been no commitment to change from the new leadership.
“It’s therefore not enough to change the personnel. The system allowing those breaches needs to be changed.
“ABC staff work tirelessly to build and maintain the ABC’s independence and integrity. It is the board’s legal duty to protect that independence and integrity. But time and again we see ABC chairs and managing directors do the opposite.
“ABC’s staff know social media rules are supposed to ensure the ABC isn’t brought into disrepute, yet this court proceeding has badly harmed the ABC’s reputation.
“This must stop. We demand changes be made to ensure it does.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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It looks like we need to get rid of a lot of ABC staff if they can’t take a simple direction – not post any comments online – and then they ignore the directive and post a political comment online. Any other workplace they would be fired, why should the ABC be different from other companies?
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All of those lobbying the ABC (or any media organisations) on any matter should have their names – personal or organisational – listed on publicly available registers. Transparency on this issue is crucial. Enough of the bullying by backroom boys and girls.
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She didn’t even post anything herself.All she did was share a Human Rghts Watch post on instagram about starvation being used as a tool of war. And while the new cycle was caught up with some Sydney jews feeling unsafe about graffiti, Palestinians were being slaughtered en masse. Two words: israel lobby.
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It’s time that politicians don’t hire staff like Ita
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The piece on Mumbrella announcing when Ita was installed had many comments that predicted the ABC’s downfall. Murdoch’s Ita seemed to be the suggestion…
Where is that article?
Did Mumbrella have to remove it?
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You might want to get across the facts of this case before you dismiss it so simply.
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Just look at the board of directors, bankers and mining lobbyists, and a stream of upper management straight from news Ltd
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We don’t need the ABC now. Plenty of other free to air programs. Shut it down now, dismiss the staff and save millions of tax payer dollars
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It looks very much that we are more and more being driven into the dictatorial state…The very first act is always muzzling the media…
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Now, how about exposing some of these protagonists behind these “special hotlines” that appear to curry such influence in this media organisation. Oh my goodness me, imagine the quandary if one such eternal victims’ entitled group had the spotlight on them in an unfavorable light. Oooooooh . . . . . nooooohh !
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Hi ‘Told you so’,
That article is still live on Mumbrella – https://mumbrella.com.au/government-announces-ita-buttrose-as-abc-chair-567193
Cheers,
Lauren – Mumbrella
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