The ABC’s week from hell took another turn for the worst today when staff passed a no confidence motion in management following recently announced job cuts within its radio broadcasting.
The latest furore follows on from Monday’s claim by Indigenous leader Noel Pearson that the public broadcaster was inherently racist. Pearson’s claims were subsequently backed-up by former ABC chairman Maurice Newman yesterday.
Today’s no confidence motion, by Radio National staff, comes in the wake of recently announced job cuts that will see seven staff sacked and most of the music content decommissioned.
A statement from staff read: “This meeting of Radio National Staff in ABC Ultimo wish to express our lack of confidence in the senior management of ABC Radio in regards to the continuing erosion of specialist programming in music, features and religion.”
Staff have also conveyed their concerns to ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie and ABC staff–elected director Matt Peacock.
A statement from the ABC read: “ABC Radio has made changes to its line-up for 2017 to reinvest in new content rather than to cut costs. Following today’s meeting we are continuing the process of staff consultation.”
