The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), the union for journalists, has condemned job cuts at the ABC.
The national public broadcaster has said it will make 40 positions redundant and end 10 fixed contracts early as part of a restructure.
MEAA chief executive Erin Madeley said cuts to staff and public interest reporting and programming were undermining the ABC’s mandate.
“The ABC is one of Australia’s most important institutions. It needs to be well funded and accessible to all Australians,” she said.
“Management is driving instability through a flawed commercial model which simply doesn’t fit with the public interest test.
“Staff are being told they may lose their jobs because they don’t live and work in Sydney, where the majority of ABC’s staff are already based.
“Decreasing the voice of Australians who live outside of Sydney, and moving staff around like chess pieces is doing a disservice to the public.
Madeley said MEAA would continue to campaign for a fully funded ABC, but also for the jobs that “quality” journalism demands.
“The ABC needs fully restored funding and to provide secure, sustainable careers to the workers who tell our stories,” she said.
“Mismanagement of the ABC and its budget has led to cuts to jobs, public interest reporting and programming with workers wearing the risk and pain.
“QandA is the latest victim of these cuts, despite playing a critical and unique role in our democracy, where the public can speak to politicians on a national stage.
“We are seeing an ongoing drive towards insecure jobs at the ABC, which also impacts staff retention and the ABC’s ability to function the way the public needs.”
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