7 May 2024
The ABC now faces an awful dilemma.
If, as now seems certain, it loses the media bargaining code revenue it has been receiving from Facebook, now Meta, it will have to sack many of the 60 journalists and support staff it has recruited since entering into commercial contracts in 2021.The ABC is legally obligated not to reveal the quantum of the revenue it receives from either Meta or Google. But it can fairly be speculated that a workforce payroll of 60 with associated capital costs...
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From National Broadcaster to the Himalayas
Journalists and broadcasters rightly view a career at the ABC as a professional pinnacle, from which the idea of life after Aunty can seem an unlikely possibility.
After 30 years in journalism, Kirsty Nancarrow became a teacher, businesswoman and author.
That transition took her from an ABC newsroom in tropical north Queensland to the Himalayas with the help of a former child slave who was determined to better his community. Richard Dinnen chronicles Kirsty’s post-ABC journeyIn her 15 years wi...
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ABC Alumni Mentor Callout
It’s that time of the year again. The ABC is looking for former ABC staff to mentor young ABC journalists and broadcasters.This time The ABC is specifically looking for people with experience in the following areas:
Senior Content Makers – in News and Currents Affairs; Documentary; Factual and Entertainment.
Senior Executive level managers with experience in career mapping and goal setting and support.
Former TV/News presenters (or news/radio presenters who have moved to a screen/TV presen...
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ABC Alumni Webinar with Gavin Fang, ABC Editorial Director
Gavin Fang took up his appointment as Editorial Director in January this year. One of the ABC’s most experienced news executives, he began his ABC career in 2000 in the Perth newsroom. After a stint as the ABC’s correspondent in Jakarta, he took on a succession of ever-more senior editorial roles in ABC News, ending as Deputy Director of News. Along the way he had a hand in devising the More Relevant to More Australians News policy, and was ABC News Diversity lead.
The Editorial Director an...
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Dorothy Hallam – Pioneer ABC News Cinematrographer
When ABC’s television service opened in 1956, the news cinematographers were men. But within a few years, plucky women started to break through the barriers. Among the trail blazers was Dorothy Hallam – now a feisty 97-year-old – who began working for the national broadcaster as a permanent stringer in early 1961 and continued in the role for 22 years. Her work may well have fallen through the cracks of history had it not been for an uncanny series of events. Now both Dorothy and her films are ...
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PM Anthony Albanese: The ABC is a ‘Treasured national institution’ and an ‘essential public service’
In his first major speech about the ABC since the May federal election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated a new era in government-ABC relations. Delivered at a gala dinner celebrating the national broadcaster’s 90th anniversary, the PM’s wide-ranging speech outlined the ABC’s crucial role in contributing to both social cohesion and a healthy democracy. He also reinforced his government’s commitment to a better-resourced, independent ABC and promised to review options for delivering ...
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The evidence: dramatic drop in new ABC screen content confirmed
Dr Michael Ward of the University of Sydney, a former senior ABC executive, has been poring over the figures.
In this disturbing article for ABC Alumni, he confirms what we’ve all suspected. First release, non-news and current affairs screen content on the ABC’s main TV channel has dropped by 40% in ten years, and on all ABC platforms by around 20%.
If you’re looking for evidence that the ABC desperately needs its funding restored, THIS IS IT!
41% decline in ‘non-news and current affairs’1 fir...
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ABC Alumni Ltd Statement On The Appointment Of Kim Williams To Chair The ABC Board
ABC Alumni welcomes the appointment of Kim Williams as the new Chair of the ABC Board.We understand that Mr Williams was on the shortlist submitted by the Nomination Panel. We are pleased that this government has stuck by its election promise to follow the process laid down in the ABC Act.
Kim Williams was the CEO of News Ltd (now News Corporation Australia) for less than two years. In a long and varied career, he has also been Chair or CEO (among others) of Musica Viva, the Australian Film Com...
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Antoinette Lattouf and the ABC’s independence
ABC Alumni is an association of former staff of the ABC who support a vigorous, independent national broadcaster.
We note with concern the recent controversy surrounding the ABC’s decision to relieve Antoinette Lattouf of on-air duties, after three days of a five-day contract to present Mornings on Sydney metropolitan radio.
Although Ms Lattouf was paid for the full five-day contract, she has lodged an unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission. ABC Alumni makes no comment about the...
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Vale Leigh Tierney – Production Designer Extraordinaire
Leigh Tierney, production designer extraordinaire passed away on 9th January 2024. He spent four and a half decades at the ABC in Sydney, working in drama, documentaries and news and current affairs. Flamboyant, fastidious and very, very creative, he is fondly remembered by Eric Napper and friends.LEIGH TIERNEY
For those of us that worked with Leigh, he will be remembered as a passionate practitioner of his craft who brought a sense of occasion to each and every project he touched. His caree...
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