ABC reporter could face disciplinary action over opinion piece, journalists’ union says

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 13, 2026

ABC management has threatened disciplinary action against journalist and union leader Michael Slezak after he published an opinion piece opposing proposed restrictions on journalists’ access to company directors’ personal information. The situation has sparked union backlash, with nearly 200 ABC staff members demanding guarantees against penalties and planning a collective response amid ongoing tensions between MEAA and ABC leadership.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has not ruled out disciplinary measures against one of its journalists following the publication of an opinion piece on press freedom, according to the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). The article, authored by Michael Slezak, the ABC climate reporter and federal president of MEAA, appeared last week in the Australian Financial Review (AFR).

Slezak, who also serves as head of the ABC house committee, wrote the piece in his capacity as a union representative. The article addressed a proposal by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to limit journalists’ access to certain personal information about company directors, including their home addresses and dates of birth—a matter on which MEAA has been actively campaigning.

Following the publication, Slezak was summoned to a meeting with Simon Robinson, the new ABC director of news, and Lee Glendinning, head of digital and national news. The discussion centered on Slezak’s compliance with the ABC’s external work policy. Robinson, appointed in September by ABC managing director Hugh Marks, succeeded former news chief Justin Stevens, who departed earlier this year.

In a letter circulated to ABC union members, MEAA accused ABC management of targeting Slezak for exercising his role as a union official. “Championing our right to information is something we expect Michael to do and be allowed to do without hindrance,” the union said.

An ABC spokesperson emphasized the importance of guidelines governing external work and public commentary to safeguard the corporation’s reputation. The spokesperson noted that the Director of News was engaging with staff to ensure a clear and consistent understanding of these policies.

The MEAA claimed that during the meeting, ABC management did not exclude the possibility of disciplinary action against Slezak, including dismissal. “Simon and Lee raised the possibility that Michael may have breached the ABC’s external work policy and code of conduct,” the union stated, adding that management refused to provide assurances there would be no penalties.

The union maintains that Slezak did not require prior approval for the article, citing an existing agreement allowing him to publicly comment in his capacity as a union official. MEAA has called on Marks and Robinson to publicly guarantee that Slezak will not face disciplinary measures. As of Monday afternoon, an open letter signed by 197 ABC union members demanded such assurances, characterizing the issue as an attack on collective rights and a barrier to journalists fulfilling their professional responsibilities.

ABC staff members are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to consider a collective response to the situation.

Relations between MEAA and the ABC leadership have been tense since a 24-hour strike earlier this year, which involved over 2,000 employees and disrupted ABC services across television, radio, and digital platforms. Managing director Hugh Marks publicly criticized the enterprise bargaining process amid ongoing disputes.

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