ABC responds to second MEAA vote of no confidence

75 ABC members of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance have today passed a second vote of no confidence in ABC managing director David Anderson and all ABC managers involved in the decision to unfairly dismiss freelance radio broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf.

The meeting was held in response to the Fair Work Commission hearings to determine Ms Lattouf’s unfair dismissal claim after she was sacked 3 days into a 5 day radio shift after social media posting.

Staff have also called for the ABC’s Head of Content, Chris Oliver-Taylor, to step down immediately.

“The mishandling of Antoinette Lattouf’s employment has done enormous damage to the integrity and reputation of the ABC,” said MEAA Media Director Cassie Derrick.

“Evidence provided in the Fair Work Commission hearing about the involvement of David Anderson and Chris Oliver-Taylor in her dismissal has further undermined the confidence of staff in the managing director and his senior managers to be able to protect the independence of the ABC.

“The Lattouf case continues a pattern of ABC journalists, particularly those from culturally diverse backgrounds, lacking support from management when they face criticism from lobby groups, business organisations and politicians.

“For these reasons, Chris Oliver-Taylor should be stood down immediately, while Mr Anderson must demonstrate he is taking the concerns of staff seriously to begin to restore confidence in his leadership.”

The full motion passed by ABC MEAA members today is:

We, MEAA members at the ABC, are outraged by the revelations of how ABC executives have disregarded the independence of the ABC, damaged the public’s trust in our capacity to report without fear or favour, and mistreated our colleague Antoinette Lattouf.

Staff reaffirm our lack of confidence in Managing Director David Anderson, and in all ABC managers involved in the decision to unfairly dismiss Antoinette Lattouf.

Chris Oliver-Taylor has undermined the integrity of the entire ABC through his mismanagement, and should step down from his role as Head of the Content Division immediately.

We call on ABC management to stop wasting public funds on defending the unfair dismissal case against Antoinette Lattouf, provide her and the public a full apology and reinstate her to ABC airwaves.

We demand that ABC management implement staff calls for a fair and clear social media policy, robust and transparent complaints process and an audit to address the gender and race pay gap.

Statement from David Anderson, ABC Managing Director:

“The ABC is defending the Antoinette Lattouf matter before the Fair Work Commission. The Commission has had the benefit of hearing the evidence of all witnesses in its entirety – not just selectively reported comments – and of hearing the legal submissions made by both parties. It is inappropriate to comment further while that decision is pending.

“I have continued confidence in Chris Oliver-Taylor to perform the role of ABC Chief Content Officer. Chris has an outstanding record as a media executive and is widely respected across the media sector.”

The Fair Work Commission is yet to report its findings.