Trauma-informed freelance journo, ex ABC, ex foreign corro. Media Pres
@withMEAA
, Dep Ch
@Walkleys
.
@AusIntSociety
Advisory Bd. I abide by MEAA's Code of Ethics
The barbecue meat was gone in a flash, but there were still delicious pastries made by Melbourne’s Muslim community. The MFB with Human Appeal Aust and the Aust Islamic Council are taking 5 truckloads of food, water and supplies to Gipps communities.
#vicfires
Turns out 55 New Zealanders are on a Fed list of those who came to Vict, not 17 Premier Andrews says. “I don’t control the borders, I don’t control Sydney Airport.” The Fed govt is pointing the blame at Victoria for breach of the NZ bubble, which Vic is not actually a part of.
This is my last week at the ABC. I am 1 of the 200 staff being cut in the latest round. It’s my choice but it ends 30+ yrs in & out of an organisation I love. What’s next is a TBC. I’ll take a rest, do some study & continue board work with
@DartAsiaPacific
@withMEAA
@Walkleys
Important to note that the people who carry out hate and uphold evil ideologies start out being like all of us. Thanks
@AuschwitzMuseum
for the reminder.
This is one of the harshest warnings for us today.
Perpetrators were ordinary people. Fathers and mothers. Husbands and wives. SS chief Heinrich Himmler studied agronomy.
They all accepted an ideology that rationalized and promoted hatred & evil. It became their everyday live.
Some nuance and context is needed here. A reminder that journalism is not stenography. Mindlessly quoting the President when there is no evidence of fraud and no justification for a SCOTUS challenge is lazy, shallow and dangerous. “Quote” marks don’t let you off the hook
@ABCnews
Wow forcing people to stay together in order to “fix broken marriages”.... let’s hope this idea from the Australian Family Association never makes it beyond “brainfart” status. Governments and their paid social providers have no place in marital matters.
The ruling just now by Justice Anthony Bresanko in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case is a big and important win for journalism and press freedom in Australia. It upholds the media’s important role in undertaking public interest investigations & in the public’s right to know.
We keep saying “this is not who we are” but clearly it IS who some of us are. We need to figure out how that happened, and what we can do to turn it around. Otherwise we will see our own Capitol Hill moment.
John Hewson says the claim “we are all in this together, is not the case”. Says politicians have not cut their own salaries and themselves have 15% super contribution rates. “What does it take to embarrass our politicians to share the burden.. to be leaders..”
ONP’s James Ashby had rather a spray at the ABC for not being able to do live crosses in parts of regional Qld, but let’s not forget it was his boss who wanted the ABC’s budget cut.
Thank you
@ABCNews
@ABCMelbourne
for a great career. I will miss my wonderful work colleagues and friends across the country. But it’s not goodbye, it’s au revoir! You can leave the ABC but the ABC does not leave you.
At last - result are IN!!! I am thrilled to have been elected as
@withMEAA
’s Media President. A huge thankyou to all media members who supported me. Our industry has many challenges, but together we can build a strong media sector. Unity, integrity, diversity & equality are key!
THREAD A great turnout in Melbourne for the YES campaign. Tens of thousands of supporters of the Voice to Parliament walked the walk today. I usually don’t take part in such events but I feel I cannot sit on the sidelines for this important vote affecting our First Nations people
I am proud of
@withMEAA
members
@ABCNews
Staff should not be punished for standing up to their own managers & upholding the values & charter of the organisation. The very role of a journalist is to challenge & to question - inside & outside the organisation!
#NoFearNoFavour
#MEAAmedia
members at the ABC today called on managing director David Anderson to urgently meet with staff and address growing concerns about outside interference, culturally unsafe management practices and to stand up for journalism without fear or favour.
#PressFreedom
Ben Gibbs (in high vis yellow) found the teen about 20 mins from the summit at Mt Disappointment. Mr Gibbs grew up in this area and told reporters he knew the mountains well. Will Callaghan was out for two freezing nights.
Australia.. if the women around you are visibly, viscerally angry ask them why? Listen to the answer. For too long we have been dismissed & belittled by those with privilege, power, patronage. It isn't only about rape. It's about misogyny, patriarchy and so much more.
#auspol
The decision by
@DanielAndrewsMP
not to take journalists with him to China is deeply disappointing. A visit to a crucial trading partner at a crucial time needs media scrutiny. Govts across Oz pay lip service to press freedom & the public’s right to know.
LOVE that
@hamishNews
is asking his guests “how are you doing?” - it’s such an important qu to ask as journalists, as humans. What people have experienced is devastating, damaging, debilitating. We all need to be asking this qu and helping if/when we can.
#qanda
Stella Assange tells 730 that her husband Julian spends 22 hrs a day in a 2m x 3m prison cell & that his health is poor. The Wikileaks publisher has been in Belmarsh prison in the UK for 4 years.
#Assange
is a
@withMEAA
member & has suffered enough. He needs to be freed.
Hey
@theAge
“woo women”
is a poor use of language - once again supposing our only role is sex, love, partnership. This isn’t a 1950s courting process. Please do better.
#everydaysexism
Independence of the ABC is critical to maintain trust with the audience and to meet its charter. We need to know the truth of what happened in the sacking of
@antoinette_news
#NoFearNoFavour
@withMEAA
This is one of the silliest decisions ever. Why - if your focus is audience, as the
@ABCnews
internal mantra goes - would you kill the bulletin that brings in your biggest audience? It saves peanuts, pushes the workload onto dozens of already flat-strap morning show producers.
A sad day for the ABC. The 7:45am bulletin will be no more. It is the highest listening time in the morning. It is the one time of the day, listening get a comprehensive overview of local, state, national and international news. In the next few weeks it will be no more.
Thinking of my ABC family, my colleagues at News Corp, AAP, ACM & other regional mastheads & the many other agencies affected by cuts. We need more journalists right now not fewer. As ever thanks to the great leaders, staff, organisers, delegates
@withMEAA
for the work they do
The folks at the Auschwitz Memorial do an amazing job reminding us of the dangers of ignoring extremism. Hate of the other is perilous and we know exactly where it can lead.
I am reposting this THREAD in light of the - understandable - concerns about reporting on yesterday’s stabbing in Sydney.
If you want call out bad journalism there are a number of ways to do it, but via social media is not that effective. 1/7
“I am really happy that a person from the Liberal party has said my name”
@BehrouzBoochani
tells Dan Tehan, criticising the dehumanising tactics of Australia’s immigration processes and practices.
#QandA
Asher’s work here was pivotal in forcing change. She deserves to be recognised for her persistence, her ability to explain things clearly, and simply understanding what was happening well before others clued in. We are grateful
@Asher_Wolf
This is the crux of the
#JulianAssange
case. That the US still pursued an espionage charge is disgraceful. It imperils media freedom around the world when
US laws reach well beyond its jurisdiction.
#Journalismisnotacrime
Judge asked Assange what Assange did to constitute crime charged: "Working as a journalist I encouraged my source to provide information that was said to be classified in order to publish that information. I believe that the First Amendment protected that activity… "
Thrilled to announce that I am the new chair of the Dart Centre Asia Pacific board with
@dartian1
@hocking_rachael
@kfarouque
and Prof Mark Creamer. We need to be better informed about trauma in ourselves and those we deal with as journalists.
As
#MurdochRoyalCommission
trends on Australian Twitter, take the time to read this THREAD on the extent of Murdoch’s reach in Australia!
#spoileralert
it IS far-reaching.
#MurdochRoyalCommission
What do they own? A thread. Television
Foxtel (65%)
Fox Sports Australia
Fox Sports News
Fox Cricket
Fox Footy
Fox League
Streamotion
Kayo Sports
Binge
Australian News Channel
Sky News Australia
Sky News New Zealand
Sky News on WIN
Sky News Weather
I am in Christian Porter’s electorate, Pearce.
In 2019, Porter came to my workplace after a media appearance and berated me so fiercely and aggressively that I was unable to return to my workplace.
I don’t know if these claims are true. But I would not be surprised.
#auspol
Canberrans, on Thurs you have the opportunity to show your support for Julian Assange, the Wikileaks publisher being pursued by the US for exposing possible war crimes. Australia needs to push the US & the UK to drop the charges against him.
#pressfreedom
Strength to your arm
@milliganreports
for the absolute nonsense you have been dealing with, especially in recent days. There is no more decent, empathetic, tell-it-like-it-is reporter than you. You have forced change and given countless people a voice in pursuing justice.
The attacks on Louise Milligan appear to be reaching hysterical new levels. What is is about women reporters with something to say which so upsets some people? Why shouldn't ABC staff who are being misrepresented be able to reply? (The Antic stuff is 😵💫)
This will be worth a watch. It is time women’s voices were heard and the toxic workplace that is Federal Parliament was exposed. Women in Australia demand change. Thanks
@louisemilligan
@4Corner
Today I have written to ABC Chair Ita Buttrose with questions concerning the Four Corners program “Inside the Canberra Bubble” that was broadcast on 9 November 2020.
Bernard Collaery has won a bid to overturn a ruling shrouding parts of his trial in secrecy. The ACT court of appeal said open justice was important to deter political prosecutions, among other things. More to come on
@GuardianAus
shortly.
I’m actually fucking livid that 7News would dare to put a “prominent businessman” on the telly demanding Melbourne’s Covid restrictions be lifted without any disclosure that he’s the Liberal Party wannabe WHO WAS THE HOST OF THE ASPEN PARTY THAT SPREAD THE VIRUS BACK IN MARCH.
This is an excellent THREAD on the false equivalence that is rampant in media reporting these days. We’ve got so caught up in the idea of “balance” and covering “both sides” equally that we’ve lost sight of truth, accuracy and actual fairness. This is well worth a read.
ex Hd
@acccgovau
Rod Sims at launch of “Who needs the ABC?” tells audience “if you damage the ABC, you damage Australia” Media sector is “under provided” for if you leave it to the commercial sector - funding public interest journalism via the ABC makes sense.
#HandsOffOurABC
THREAD - Evergreen Content. If you want to call out bad journalism there are a number of ways to do it. On Twitter is NOT effective. Media outlets only have to respond to official complaints. Start with the news outlet directly, with details about your specific concerns. 1/6
Melbourne ABC Radio News legend Jim Graham was so generous with his time, always calm and professional no matter what was going on, a patient teacher and the finest of newsreaders. I learnt a lot from him. I will miss his authoritative, soothing voice.
@ABCNews
@ABCMelbourne
Thanks to all the firefighters putting themselves in harm's way this New Year. And great work from
@JoeABCNews
,
@PercyKaren
,
@hamishNews
and other journalists on the ground keeping us up to date with horrendous fire conditions across NSW and Victoria.
This
@4corners
shows that the media needs to be very careful in blindly accepting police information, following police agendas. People’s lives can be destroyed. That the Speddings are so gracious is astonishing. And William Tyrrell’s family still don’t know where he is.
#loselose
If you are concerned about anything you see, hear, read in the news media there is something you can do. Send a reasoned, considered complaint. For Commercial Broadcasters there is
and
“We’re in Melbourne, I’m not walking out on this!” Zinger from Vic Premier Dan Andrews as journos shout out questions. A dig at other leaders who don’t hang around so long...
This is personal for Vic Housing Minister Richard Wynne, telling media he worked in the towers for 7 years, lives 50m from Nth Melbourne public housing estate. He says he knows it well, knows the community well. Medical services, mental health services, CALD staffers now on site
BREAKING - AlJazeera’s offices in Kuala Lumpur have been raided by police, harddrives seized - it’s been four weeks since a documentary crew was detained for questioning over their story on the treatment of migrant workers.
@withMEAA
Meet Helen Robertson leader of the tailoresses of Victoria of the late 1870s who were paid half the rate of unskilled men and worked in “sweating” conditions. She forced a Royal Commission and acceptance into Trades Hall. Brava
@vicunions
for putting
#womeninbronze
#iwd2021
Journalists and other media workers should not be attacked for doing their jobs. The backlash we are seeing in Melbourne this week is unacceptable. I’m going to post relevant resources in a THREAD.
#JournalismIsNotACrime
1/6
Dawson says 250-300k women have “wiped out” their super savings during the pandemic. The young women in particular will be “back to the days of their grandmothers” because of “ideological” moves by Fed govt.
Thanks
@KerryOBrien
for your passionate advocacy for the ABC. The ABC is precious, trusted by more Australians than any other news outlet. He tells
@ABCMelbourne
Aus is going the way of the US in our media & politics. The ABC is an important handbrake on that.
#HandsOffOurABC
It is appalling and so blatantly biased. Targetting any journalists in this way but especially those of the calibre of
@Milliganreports
and
@neighbour_s
is disgraceful. Here’s one way to make your voice heard
@AusPressCouncil
Very tough for us at
#4corners
to see our colleagues
@neighbour_s
and
@Milliganreports
cop this pile on - unjustified, incorrect and uncalled for. We stand by them. When will the culture wars end?
And that’s a wrap for me in
#vicfires
coverage for now. Gippsland still has a long road ahead but I’m so glad help is on the way for many. Be safe people.
@benschneiders
and while we’re at it, those who are claiming 150-200 people are being investigated for arson can get in the bin. There had been ONE arrest in Vic for arson so far. Police have not been able to get into fire zones to even check.
#vicfires
THREAD Have been in Canberra for today’s Press Freedom roundtable with
@MarkDreyfusKCMP
- raised case of Julian Assange, concerns re national security laws on members esp freelancers, regional media and small agencies which don’t have resources to oppose myriad secrecy laws..1/2
Merry Christmas to all the journos, cammos, photographers, editors, producers and all those who will bring the news to us today and through the holidays. Thank you for being on deck when the rest of us are indulging in festive fare and enjoying family time. Take care, stay safe.
Advise your local MP, Senators perhaps even the Communications Minister.
Your complaints will need to be specific. If possible highlight how reporting has breached an organisation’s own guidelines and editorial policies.
It is far from perfect but it is all we have. 7/7
Antony Green pays tribute to SA political commentator Dean Jaensch, who passed away earlier this year. I took his politics class back in 1986. His knowledge and passion were second to none.
#SAVotes
THREAD
@withMEAA
's House Committee
@ABCNews
has endorsed the following motion regarding WA Police demands to hand over footage related to a
@4Corners
piece to air on Monday night:
The MEAA House Committee calls on the ABC not to hand over the Four Corners footage of the climate..
Thinking of friends & colleagues at News Corp as the company reveals job cuts. So disappointing. We need a sustainable media sector that focuses on ethical, public interest journalism in order to support a strong democracy. Press freedom in Oz has fallen as corruption has risen
Caroline Jones was a giant of the ABC & a role model for so many of us. I was honoured to give her
@withMEAA
’s Gold Honour Badge in Sept 2019
@WIM_Aus
conference. Condolences to her family. Hugs too to her ABC & Women In Media families. A much loved & respected & kind journo.
Disappointing to see reports of complicit “frendly media” during the
#Robodebt
scandal. Partisan reporting is dangerous and undermines public trust. We need ethical, public interest journalism to sustain the future of our industry.
"Share your truth, it is your power," Grace Tame tells
@PressClubAust
A strong, gracious call to action from another brave young woman. Moving to hear her and to see the emotion of the women in the room (via the TV). Thanks to everyone who has fought in this space.
#auspol
The Lattouf cases prompt more questions than they answer for
@ABCNews
Very brave of staff to call out the MD & snr managers for what seems to be terrible handling of the situation.
#NoFearNoFavour
Media release: Editorial staff at the ABC have again registered a vote of no confidence in managing director David Anderson and senior managers over the broadcaster’s handling of complaints.
#MEAAmedia
The ABC is under serious threat right now from funding cuts and ideological attacks. This trusted institution must maintain its independence and its crucial role for all Australians. Take the quiz and sign the petition!
#HandsOffOurABC
#ABCFriends
A shout out to my awesome colleague
@em_younger
who has done truly stellar reporting on the George Pell court matters. Hardworking, unwaivering commitment, fine journalism across all ABC platforms.
#respect
#WeAreABC
This is a wonderful read... packs up the car, leaves the husband to fend for himself and discovers the joy of doing exactly what she pleases! She is everyone of us.
#enoughisenough
Fed up with housework and an abusive marriage, a 56-year-old woman went on a solo road trip across China.
For six months, she’s been documenting her journey on social media. Now, she’s a feminist icon.