ABC journalist faces potential discipline over union role, union says

Michael Slezak, an award-winning ABC climate journalist and federal president of the MEAA, had an article published last week in the AFR concerning a proposal by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) to restrict journalists' access to information such as the home address and date of birth of company directors. The union is campaigning on this issue.

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 joined the ABC in September and was handpicked by ABC managing director Hugh Marks.

The MEAA claimed in a letter to union members that Slezak was being targeted for defending press freedom in his capacity as an elected union office-holder. A spokesperson for the ABC stated that guidelines for external work and public comment are important for protecting the ABC's reputation and that the Director of News is meeting with staff to ensure a clear and consistent understanding of these guidelines.

The union alleges that management refused to rule out disciplinary action, including dismissal, at the meeting. The union also stated that Slezak did not need to seek approval for the article due to an existing agreement with the ABC that permits him to comment publicly on behalf of journalists in his MEAA role.

Union members will meet to discuss a collective response, and 197 ABC union members had signed an open letter calling on Marks and Robinson to confirm Slezak will not face disciplinary action.