ABC reporter could face disciplinary action over opinion piece, journalists’ union says

ABC journalist Michael Slezak faces disciplinary action for writing an opinion piece for the Financial Review in his role as a union office-holder. Photograph: The GuardianView image in fullscreenABC journalist Michael Slezak faces disciplinary action for writing an opinion piece for the Financial Review in his role as a union office-holder. Photograph: The GuardianABC reporter could face disciplinary action over opinion piece, journalists’ union saysOpinion piece by head of union Michael Slezak sparks disagreement with new ABC director of news, Simon Robinson

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ABC management has refused to rule out disciplinary action against a journalist and union office-holder for writing an opinion piece for the Australian Financial Review, according to the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).

The award-winning ABC climate journalist, Michael Slezak, had an article published last week in Nine’s financial newspaper in his capacity as federal president of MEAA.

The AFR described Slezak, who is also head of the ABC house committee, as federal president of media at the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance and an ABC journalist.

Read moreThe article was about a proposal by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) to restrict journalists from accessing information such as the home address and date of birth of company directors, an issue the union is campaigning on.

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.

Robinson was handpicked by the ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, before the incumbent news chief Justin Stevens was asked to resign in May. The former Reuters executive joined the ABC in September.

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In a letter to ABC union members on Monday, the media union claimed Slezak was being targeted for defending press freedom in his capacity as an elected union office-holder.

“Championing our right to information is something we expect Michael to do and be allowed to do without hindrance,” MEAA said.

A spokesperson for the ABC said the guidelines for external work and public comment were important in protecting the reputation of the ABC.

“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.”

The union’s relationship with Marks has been fraught since more than 2,000 staff walked off the job for a 24-hour strike, forcing ABC services across TV, radio and digital to use BBC content and repeat programming.

Marks was publicly critical of the enterprise bargaining process.

The union claims management 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. “They refused to rule out disciplinary action, including dismissal.”

The union says 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.

The union has called on Marks and Robinson to confirm Slezak will not face disciplinary action in an open letter signed by 197 ABC union members as of Monday afternoon.

“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,” the letter says.

Union members will meet on Tuesday to discuss a collective response.