ABC staff ‘hijacking’ news programs to push pay dispute agenda: Henderson
A Liberal senator has accused ABC staff of “hijacking news programs to convey false information” about staffers’ long dispute with the national broadcaster.
The 24-hour strike, which begins at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, will result in programs on ABC’s main television channel and specialty news channel not being broadcast at all.
This includes the network’s flagship current affairs show 7.30 with Sarah Ferguson, which was canceled in favor of an episode of Cruel Trial War.
An episode of Australian Story will air in place of the broadcaster’s regular 7pm news bulletin.
The new pre-recorded episode of The Weekly With Charlie Pickering will air at its usual 8.30pm time as the show is normally filmed on Tuesdays.
On Wednesday opposition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson stopped the door to the ABC office inside federal parliament and criticized staff for what she called “a breach of the ABC Act”.
“I am also incredibly concerned that ABC anchors are hijacking news programs to spread misinformation about this dispute,” he said.
“This is completely unacceptable. ABC presenters say this is not a fair deal and are launching their own lawsuit over extortion news programs which is a breach of impartiality requirements.”
The other night, ABC presenter Girish Sawlani emphasized that the following day’s show would look “a little bit different”.
“My colleagues and I will not be on the air because we will be on strike,” he said.
“We ask ABC management to deliver safe, secure and sustainable businesses so we can deliver the news and content you deserve.”
“But they fail to offer fair wages and conditions.”
ABC presenter James Glenday later confirmed the strike on Wednesday morning, while his colleague Gemma Veness announced the strike had begun.
Programming on ABC’s radio network will also be greatly affected.
The network’s director of audio, Ben Latimer, told staff they would primarily play existing content and rebroadcasts of BBC broadcasts during the strike period, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Radio National’s Late Night Live will also be broadcast again on Wednesday.
ABC hosts began informing listeners about the strike on Tuesday.
The Community and Public Sector Union said ABC staff had “strongly rejected” the latest pay offer after months of negotiations.
The last 24-hour strike at ABC was in 2006.
More to come
