ABC journalists concerned about social media policy overreach

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance journalists at the ABC are deeply committed to upholding public trust through providing ethical, fair and accurate journalism and storytelling to the public.

Every day, they face attack from external stakeholders.

While the social media policy provides some clarity around what employees are deemed “high risk”, in doing so, it appears to target particular ABC staff based on how public-facing they are, rather than the level of control they have over the editorial process.

It also overreaches by deeming even a WhatsApp chat or discussion with one other person as “public comment”.

Many staff, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, Indigenous staff, LGBTQIA+ staff and people living and working with disabilities develop significant expertise on topics that they have deep personal experience with.

ABC management itself admits that these staff in particular have been targeted over comments they have made in public, and we know that the ABC has consistently failed to support and protect staff who are targeted.

This new policy does nothing but continue to push risk down on workers.

Media inquiries: Rebecca Urban 0411 790 304