
Issue No 75		27 October 2000

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News

Despair At Our ABC

ABC staff say the national broadcaster is being deeply harmed by the current management policies of the Managing Director, Jonathon Shier, and his management.


	MEAA's Michel Maree Hryce

They have pledged a widescale public and community based campaign to defend the ABC's editorial independence, its ability to fulfil its Charter obligations, and against any cuts.

This follows an extraordinary address to staff yesterday by Shier - only his second in eight months in the job -which has seriously damaged the new chief's credibility.

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) NSW Secretary Michel Maree Hryce says staff are dismayed, angry and disillusioned following the meeting which had been touted by management as the occasion when the direction of the organization would be outlined and clarified.

'He didn't appear to have answers to how his directives were going to affect the organization. Staff left the meeting frustrated and disappointed about that,' she says.

'Staff still haven't been adequately informed and they want to be consulted as they are entitled to in their agreement.'

The Media Alliance and the CPSU say by failing to provide clear direction and details Shier is not prepared to promote and protect the principles of public national broadcasting. Instead he invited staff to tout for sources of funds from commercial organisations and from Government departments to fund major areas of ABC activity.

'These two examples of funding avenues jeopardise the ABC's editorial independence, its freedom from commercialisation, and threaten the politicisation of the national broadcaster,' the unions say.

Shier confirmed that there would be cuts of $2 million to Radio budget including a redirection of $750,000 to the Program Creation and Development Division, that will lead to further job cuts, confusion over editorial control and an overall reduction in the number of actual program makers.

He refused to provide any answers to questions about the staff impact of either the news and

Current Affairs or the Radio cuts. It remains clear however that if these cuts proceed, staff cuts will inevitably follow. He did not offer any information about the Television budget, saying instead that it was up to Directors to make those suggestions.

The ABC unions say a significant proportion of the cuts announced are a direct result of Shier's continued expansion of his new executive group of the senior executive and the blowout in the salaries being paid to a new and bloated senior executive

Staff have given ABC management till 24 November to address concerns raised at the meeting before convening for further action.

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  Issue 75 contents

Interview: Civilized Capital
The FNV's Harrie Lindelauff explains to Peter Lewis how a friendly government and moderate employers make for a different sort of workplace in Holland.

Politics: Where Too Much Politics Is Barely Enough
With daily newspapers providing polling and analysis, television, cable, radio and Internet providing 24 hour coverage over a year long campaign -- there's more than enough politics for even the most voracious American political junkie reports Michael Gadiel.

International: US Cleaners on Hunger Strike
A number of US cleaners have this week gone on a hunger strike to back a union campaign for higher wages.

Economics: The Pass The Risk Trick
Derivatives, often seen as the currency of casino capitalism, are the fastest growing, largest and potentially most volatile aspect of capitalist economies. Economist Dick Brian sees behind this image an even deeper danger.

Health: Depressing Workplaces
New technologies and the impact of globalisation have sparked more stress and bouts of depression for workers, while causing a growing burden for social security systems, a new ILO report says.

Unions: Costello's Con
The low paid are bearing the brunt of the GST with inflation at a 10 year high argues the ACTU's Greg Combet.

Satire: Bush campaign an in-joke, admit advisors
TEXAS, Thursday: Following Bush's disastrous performance in the first Presidential debate it has been revealed that his bid for president is actually the result of a in-joke about how stupid the American people are.

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