SMH & The Age Book Critics Resign To Protest Lack Of Diversity
Four book critics recently hired by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have quit or reduced their hours to protest a lack of diversity in the new hires.
A group of five critics were employed in May on a one year contract to write about the arts under grants issued by the Copyright Agency and the Judith Neilson Institute. All of the hires, however, were white writers.
Two of the hired writers, Bec Kavanagh and Jack Callil, took to Twitter on Monday to announce they’d quit their new roles in “opposition to the lack of diversity in the selection, which resulted in an all-white group of peer”.
Hi friends. I am resigning, with @Jack_Callil, as an emerging book critic for @theage/@smh, an initiative generously funded by @CopyrightAgency and @JN_Institute. The selection of all-white critics fails to reflect Australia's cultural diversity. Full statement below. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/XoPxAD7tKp
— bec kavanagh (@beckavanagh) June 22, 2020
Another newly hired critic, Tiarney Miekus, has not quit, but has said she will give up some of her salary to enable Nine to hire more black, indigneous and people of colour (BIPOC) writers.
I know I’ve been silent on @theage and @smh hiring five white critics for their arts coverage under their grant from the @CopyrightAgency and @JN_Institute – from the outset I have found this completely appalling and shameful. 1/6
— Tiarney Miekus (@tiarneym) June 26, 2020
Cassie Tongue said she is “in discussions” to share her job with a BIPOC writer.
Miekus wrote on Twitter: “I know I’ve been silent on The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald hiring five white critics for their arts coverage.
“From the outset I have found this completely appalling and shameful. It shows the media’s bias when it comes to supporting the voices and opinions of people of colour and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers in arts publishing.
“The selection was not ethical or representative of arts writing and art practices in this country today. Since the announcement, I’ve had many exchanges with multiple editors. Having essentially halved the number of pieces I’ll be publishing, I’ve been advocating the extra funding set aside for my role — visual arts in Melbourne — be used to publish arts pieces by BIPOC writers.”
Miekus said the Nine-owned had agreed a “large portion” of funding originally set aside for her role will be used to commission BIPOC writers to publish visual arts pieces.
She said The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald “have agreed a large portion of funding” originally set aside for her role will be used to commission people of colour and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers to publish visual arts pieces.
Tongue, another of the hired critics, said: “I’m having discussions with Fairfax (now called Nine) about how I can use my role to share space, facilitate relationships between Fairfax and emerging critics of colour.”
In a statement, Nine said: ‘We accept the reasons why Jack Callil and Bec Kavanagh have decided to resign. We are reopening applications for the two freelance book critic roles, considering the previous applicants as well as seeking to ensure the roles are posted more widely to encourage a greater diversity of applicants. The successful applicants will need to have expertise as literary critics and strong writing skills.”
Latest News
Heckler Collaborates For OnePlus Nord’s Gray Ash Global Launch
Design and visual effects house Heckler has created the international launch video for global technology brand OnePlus’ newest offering: the OnePlus Nord special edition Gray Ash smartphone.
The Bottle-O Goes Musical In New Brand Campaign Via Channel T
Is it just us or is there a surprising number of booze ads on B&T today? You can almost get cirrhosis just reading.
Sapporo Brings Origins To Life In New Manga-Inspired Campaign
Alongside ironic T-shirts and thick rimmed spectacles, a love of Manga is essential for any budding agency creative.
Women in Media’s Cara Meade: “Find Clarity When There Is Chaos, Inspire Action Where There Is Lethargy”
Looking for a bit of Monday inspiration? Well, this is an essential read. Or, there's always the pub schnitzel.
“You Don’t Need To Be A Star To Have A Voice” Says Nike In New Voting Campaign
When a pair of trainers cost you 250 bucks it's only fair that Nike repays us with a new ad campaign every second day.
Lawyers Called In As Roxy Jacenko And Candice Warner Fight It Out Over Agency Contract
Oh no! The Roxy-Candice stoush has taken a decidedly ugly turn. Here's hoping Candice can keep control of her bowels.
“Daylight Robbery!” TV Reporter Gets His Phone Stolen During Live Cross
B&T has headlined this "daylight robbery" because, as you'll see, it features a robbery in daylight hours.
Leading Through Change: Why Network 10 Is All In On First Party Data
This includes both a video & stunning views of Sydney Harbour. It could only be bettered by being shat on by a seagull.
“A Weekend At Biden’s!” Presidential Hopeful Gets Hilariously Roasted In Spoof Ad
The presidential race to the bottom appears to have not quite reached the bottom in latest spoof attack ad.
Independent Media Agencies Of Australia (IMAA) Launches Exclusive ‘Insights And Innovation’ Webinars
The IMAA unveils new ‘insights and innovation’ webinar which ideally will include both insights and innovations.
Three Ways Foxtel Impressed During Its Upfronts
GroupM's Nicola Lewis gives her take on Foxtel. And by that we mean the Upfronts, not its array of cooking programs.
The Five Values For Business Success
Here's a serious business article that hopefully ticks B&T's quota box for serious business articles.
Destination Gold Coast Launches Largest-Ever Tourism Campaign
Destination Gold Coast launches massive new campaign that sadly doesn't include out of control schoolies running amok.
Sunday TV Wrap: NRL Grand Final Pulls 2.1 Million, As The AFL Hits 2.9 Million
All B&T asks is you try and be kind to any Panthers or Cats supporters in the office today. If they bothered to turn up.
Heineken Launches ‘Cheers To All’ Marketing Campaign In Australia
This ad aims to tackle stereotypes in beer ads and it does by using very stereotypical attractive people.
Malcolm Turnbull Signs Petition Calling For A Royal Commission Into News Corp
If there was one thing guaranteed to get you written off by News journos it'd have to be signing a petition against it.
SecondBite Food Rescue Launches First National Campaign
This is not only for a good cause, but it features a cute kid with a bowl of spaghetti on his head. What's not to love?
KitKat Launches New Campaign Encouraging Aussies To ‘Give the Planet a Break’
This new KitKat initiative enables you to not only help save the planet but get fat while doing it.
Is B2B Marketing Missing Its Emotional Touch?
B2B marketers could learn a thing or two from their B2C colleagues, argues WP Engine VP APAC sales Mark Randall in this guest post. It surprises me how many B2B organisations are not quite hitting the mark when it comes to reaching their audience. When talking directly to businesses, many brands are missing an opportunity […]
Aussie Taxpayers Invested $50M In Failed Streaming Service
Fresh from buying the Australia Post board Cartier watches, the Aussie taxpayer is copping yet another shafting here.
Springfree Trampoline Unveils New TV ‘That’s Why We Got A Springfree’
Who didn't love the backyard trampoline as a kid? And many of us still carry the physical scarring from the adventure.
Women In Media’s Tara O’Keefe: “What Worked Yesterday Doesn’t Today And Certainly Won’t Tomorrow”
Here's some wise words from QMS’ Tara O’Keefe. Yet, not that wise that you'd have to have done chemistry for the HSC.
An “Intellectual Thickshake”: Ben Fordham Rips On Pete Evans, As Pete Viciously Fires Back
B&T's understanding is that Pete Evans is a chef? Why doesn't he pop on the apron and get back to cooking dinner?
Why The ACCC Has Its Eye On iMessage, Facebook Messenger And WhatsApp
Any bartender that served Rod Sims a chardonnay would NOT want to fall short of that line on the glass, that's for sure.
Burger King Trials Reusable Packaging
Here's a top initiative from Burger King that does kinda sound like a slightly tedious Craig Reucassel documentary.
Thursday TV Wrap: Gogglebox Takes Top Spot Despite Slight Dip
Gogglebox is almost like a scientific, neurological study into the human condition. Just with more bogans and ad breaks.
Borat Hijacks Landmarks Around The World To Promote Long-Awaited Sequel
Borat promotion comes to Bondi. And even it couldn't find any parking & got charged $9 for a tumeric almond milk latte.
Freelancers Marketplace Fiverr Appoints Bohemia For TV And BVOD In Australia
Freelance marketplace Fiverr has appointed Bohemia. B&T understands it's full-time and not three days casual.
Smarter Use Of Art & Science Stretch Auto Budgets Further
The majority of adverts uploaded to Facebook aren’t created for Facebook as its priority. This is causing huge inefficiencies and poor performance for brands, many of whom are facing up to shrinking budgets. Tom Phillips (main photo) managing director at Connecting Plots shares lessons from 12 campaigns they optimised for auto brands… It’s no secret […]
Jaguar Land Rover Appoints Haystac As PR Agency Of Record
We're not entirely sure if B&T goes to eastern suburbs real estate agents, but Haystac has won Land Rover's PR.
