AFR article by MEAA head Michael Slezak potentially conflicts with ABC

Award-winning ABC climate journalist, Michael Slezak, had an article published last week in the Australian Financial Review. 

It was written in his capacity as president of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).

In the article, Slezak was described as “federal president of media at the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance and an ABC journalist.”

Now, the ABC is considering disciplinary action against Slezak for the opinion piece being a potential conflict between his two official positions.

 

 

 

 

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Slezak's article was about a proposal by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to restrict media from accessing the personal information of company directors.

The Guardian reports that last week, Slezak was called to a meeting with the new ABC director of news, Simon Robinson, and the head of digital and national news, Lee Glendinning, “to discuss his adherence to the ABC’s external work policy.”

The MEAA claims the broadcaster refused to rule out disciplinary action including dismissal against Slezak at the meeting.

“Simon and Lee raised the possibility that Michael may have breached the ABC’s external work policy and code of conduct,” the union said in a statement. 

“They refused to rule out disciplinary action, including dismissal.”

The MEAA claims Slezak did not need to seek approval for the article, “because he has an agreement with the ABC which permits him to engage in public comment on behalf of journalists in his MEAA role.”

It added, “Championing our right to information is something we expect Michael to do and be allowed to do without hindrance.

“We see this as an attack on our right to work collectively through our union, a hindrance to our delegates doing the work they are legally entitled to do, and an obstruction to journalists in our industry fulfilling their duty to uphold and champion press freedom."

A spokesperson for the ABC said the reputation of the ABC needs to be upheld.

“The Director of News is meeting with staff to ensure there is a clear and consistent understanding of how the guidelines should be applied and upheld,” they said.