The union & industry advocate for Australia's creative professionals. Authorised by Erin Madeley, 245 Chalmers St, Redfern NSW 2016. Phone: 1300 65 65 13
Australia and New Zealand
- Tweets 18,050
- Following 1,010
- Followers 20,850
- Likes 2,425
#MEAAmedia members at the ABC today called on managing director David Anderson to urgently meet with staff and address growing concerns about outside interference, culturally unsafe management practices and to stand up for journalism without fear or favour. #PressFreedom #NoFearNoFavour
257
898
2,930
237,167
You have a right to know what the governments you elect are doing in your name. But in Australia, people who speak out are penalised and journalism is being criminalised. It needs to change. #RightToKnow #pressfreedom #MEAAmedia yourrighttoknow.com.au
101
1,082
1,839
The decision to sack Antoinette Lattouf from her role as an ABC radio presenter over sharing a social media post from a reputable human rights organisation is incredibly disturbing. Read the full statement: meaa.org/mediaroom/abc-shoul… #MEAAmedia
65
643
1,589
165,173
The front page of every daily newspaper has been redacted in a united campaign for the #RightToKnow. Find out more: yourrighttoknow.com.au #pressfreedom
57
750
1,477
This is a misleading and inappropriate use of Margot Robbie's image. Furthermore, we can confirm that despite making her career in the US, she has not resigned as a member of #MEAAequity - and she is a member of @sagaftra! #proudtobeunion
34
284
1,366
178,247
MEDIA RELEASE: Union members at the ABC have today passed a vote of no confidence in managing director David Anderson for failing to defend the integrity of the ABC and its staff from outside attacks. meaa.io/4b2XmlQ #NoFearNoFavour #MEAAmedia
49
528
1,328
92,038
Congratulations to @antoinette_news for standing your ground when you were sacked by the ABC. This is an important outcome for the right of journalists to do their jobs with #NoFearNoFavour. #MEAAmedia abc.net.au/news/2024-06-03/f…
28
285
1,207
50,474
Today we remember the 5 Australian TV journalists murdered by Indonesian soldiers at Balibo on October 16, 1975. We will never give up the fight for justice on their behalf. #MEAAmedia #noimpunity
30
354
1,158
Vale Australian actor Tony Barry who passed away yesterday aged 81.
Tony performed in nearly 60 feature films and over 45 television series and despite the difficulties caused by his illness, Tony worked until shortly before his death. He was an Equity member for over 50 years.
55
121
1,135
84,155
Whistleblower David McBride has been sent to jail for almost 6 years jail for sharing documents with journalists that revealed allegations that Australian soldiers were involved in war crimes in Afghanistan.
abc.net.au/news/2024-05-14/m…
This is a shameful day for Australia's justice system.
65
609
1,137
420,986
Shabby treatment of @plalor by SEN. Ethical journalists are able to separate their personal opinions from their professional work. Media employers should be backing their staff, not caving into external pressure from those who disagree with presenters' personal views. theage.com.au/sport/cricket/… #MEAAmedia
47
269
1,172
44,826
Journalists should be free to report on protests and demonstrations without being assaulted while they carry out their duties.
#pressfreedom #MEAAmedia
117
530
1,005
Members of the orchestra of @OperaAustralia performed with their instruments outside the offices of Opera Australia today to call on the company to reconsider its decision to stand down musicians without pay.
#MEAASOMA #COVID2019AU
31
452
962
Journalists doing their job to inform the public about major news events happening in the streets should not have to put up with this. Take care everyone. #MEAAmedia
The moment @paul_dowsley is hit (again) this time with a can of drink.
43
195
1,022
Tony Armstrong, Paul Kelly, Dave Hughes and Jane Harper are among the dozens of high-profile Australians standing with journalists from the newsrooms of The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, Brisbane Times and WAToday, demanding quality jobs for quality journalism. We need your support, please share our message and sign the petition. meaa.org/dont-torch-journali…
#donttorchjournalism #MEAAmedia
653
277
916
112,209
#MEAAmedia fully supports the rights of our members to stand up for the Code of Ethics. Any pressure or intimidation from managers to prevent workers from doing this is an overreach and an attack on both journalists' rights and the public's right to know.
theage.com.au/business/compa…
32
284
891
78,533
The ABC must commission an independent inquiry into the broadcaster’s independence from outside interference and apologise for allowing external pressure to influence the dismissal of Antoinette Lattouf and attempts to have other journalists sacked.
buff.ly/4hCtsaM
#MEAAmedia
41
463
1,002
46,037
If the US can extradite anyone on the planet for revealing war crimes it finds embarrassing, it sets an unbelievable precedent for journalists across the world and dire ramifications for #pressfreedom. #thedrum #Assange
16
379
880
Today is the third anniversary of Julian Assange’s arrest. The Biden Administration must drop its charges against him. The scope of the charges imperil any journalist anywhere who writes about the US government.
meaa.org/mediaroom/three-yea…
#MEAAmedia #pressfreedom #Assange
10
423
852
Julian Assange is a member of #MEAAmedia and as his union we are relieved that - pending any appeal by the US government - he will be free from the decade long ordeal he has suffered for trying to bring information of public interest to the light of day. #AssangeCase
13
255
771
At a time when our focus should be on building trust and respect for our profession, having an editorial in a national newspaper launching baseless attacks on journalists is both disgraceful and destructive. #MEAAmedia
19
187
693
Our government must ensure Julian Assange is safely brought to Australia. @wikileaks @MarisePayne @SenatorWong #MEAAmedia #pressfreedom #WikiLeaks #Assange
Julian Assange arrested at the Ecuadorean embassy in London – live updates theguardian.com/media/live/2…
49
372
712
Journalists should be free to go about their work reporting on matters in the public interest and should not be arrested for simply doing their job. #pressfreedom
abc.net.au/news/2019-07-22/a… via @ABCNews
41
361
632
Today we remember Greg Shackleton, Malcolm Rennie, Tony Stewart, Brian Peters and Gary Cunningham who were murdered in Balibo, East Timor. While a coronial inquest identified an Indonesian military officer likely to have ordered the murder, no one has ever been called to account.
7
273
630
"...don't ever again again allow politicians to diminish the public broadcaster. It is one of the most precious institutions we have."
One year ago today @KerryOBrien spoke these words at his Logies Hall of Fame acceptance speech.
More poignant now than ever.
#HandsOffOurABC
5
259
599
Dutton’s attacks on the ABC and the Guardian are attacks on journalists who uphold the MEAA Code of Ethics.
Peter Dutton needs to retract his statement, apologise and commit to supporting press freedom and the independence of the ABC.
#MEAAmedia
meaa.io/42ua3UC
165
273
725
21,459
It is unacceptable in a democracy for journalists to be physically threatened or assaulted in the course of doing their job.
sbs.com.au/news/man-arrested… via @SBSNews
67
271
590
It is never acceptable to physically threaten a journalist — it is particularly unsettling that Mr Katter would invite journalists to attend a press conference and then threaten them for simply asking a reasonable question.
#MEAAmedia
abc.net.au/news/2025-08-28/b…
142
165
702
30,579
Julian #Assange turns 50 today. We would love to wish him a happy birthday but they would be empty words whilst he is still imprisoned and kept in isolation. He should be with his family and children. Time for the US to drop all charges and attempts at extradition. #FreeAssange
18
260
573
This is on its way to @BehrouzBoochani just in time for Christmas. @IFJGlobal #MEAAmedia #bringthemhere
22
212
546
MEDIA RELEASE: Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher is misleading the community about the level of assistance provided to the creative and performing arts sector during the COVID pandemic by misusing data provided by his department. meaa.io/3oaNcJV
16
267
521
We urge Australia’s new ambasssador in Washington DC, @MrKRudd, to step up diplomacy to free Julian #Assange. theage.com.au/politics/feder…
22
203
523
66,374
Here is evidence of back channel lobbying that is impacting on journalists' ability to do their jobs of reporting in the public interest without fear or favour.
theage.com.au/business/workp…
The public’s right to know is diminished when journalists are unable to provide factual information accurately, fairly and transparently because they fear retribution from their employers to appease external critics. #NoFearNoFavour #MEAAmedia #PressFreedom
24
149
482
25,548
The release of Cheng Lei is a testament to the tireless advocacy of #MEAAmedia and #PressFreedom supporters across the globe.
Now it's time for Julian Assange to come home.
We urge @AlboMP to raise his case when he next meets @POTUS in Washington.
#FreeAssange #FreeAssangeNOW
12
182
525
66,971
Congratulations to the editorial team at @junkee who are now 100% union! We welcome them to our movement to redefine what a great job in #digitaljournalism looks like! #MEAAmedia
13
102
495
MEDIA RELEASE: The axing of the ABC’s dedicated arts reporting team is a serious blow to informed coverage of Australia’s cultural sector. meaa.io/3qHZkoZ
34
196
459
33,522
We urge the Australian government to continue diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Julian #Assange. theage.com.au/politics/feder… #MEAAmedia #pressfreedom
31
170
499
Arrest on #ManusIsland of fellow journalist @BehrouzBoochani is an attack on #pressfreedom. meaa.io/2hNhLSy
28
494
460
#BREAKING Congratulations to #MEAAmedia members at Nine Publishing, who have secured an in-principle agreement that will deliver an inflation-busting pay rise this year, ethical use of AI in newsrooms and a way forward for freelancers to get a fair deal on pay and conditions. #DontTorchJournalism
23
137
467
107,838
When Boris Johnson’s staff tried Trump-style to selectively ban some journalists, the entire press gallery boycotted him. That’s solidarity. #MEAAmedia #strongertogether theguardian.com/politics/202…
10
156
439
Journalists have a right to express views about their profession and industry.
Signing the letter is simply choosing to take part in legitimate discussion about journalism and the media and no employer has the right to prevent you from doing so or to admonish you for doing so.
It has come to our knowledge that management at a handful of Australian news outlets have been intimidating + questioning journalists about signing the open letter do better, fairer reporting on Palestine. These are reasonable asks about journalistic integrity. @withMEAA
6
173
447
Media release: The @MelbSymphony must take full responsibility and rectify a crisis of its own making when it stood down pianist @jaysongillham for comments about the human toll of the war in Gaza. meaa.io/3yDgoRm
23
166
446
22,216
"If the extradition of Julian #Assange takes place, it will put publishers, whistleblowers and journalists across the globe on notice that they are not safe in pursuing public interest journalism." says #MEAAmedia President @PercyKaren.
#FreeAssangeNOW
12
289
434
Vale @johnpilger. For more than 50 years, Pilger courageously reported the stories that needed to be told from all over the world, including war crimes, but none were more important than his work in the 1980s revealing the appalling disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians. #pressfreedom #MEAAmedia abc.net.au/news/2023-12-31/a…
6
110
420
21,336
Earlier this month, @wikileaks editor-in-chief @khrafnsson visited Australia to lobby politicans and journalists to speak up for Assange - this is his message to MEAA members.
We will publish the full interview soon.
#MEAAMedia #WikiLeaks #Assange
18
262
402
Julian #Assange wins the right to appeal to the Supreme Court against extradition to the US. Once again, we call for these charges which threaten #pressfreedom to be dropped and Julian allowed to return to Australia a free man. theage.com.au/world/europe/j… #MEAAmedia
5
141
434
Today, April 11, marks two years since the arrest of Julian #Assange. We implore US and UK authorities to discontinue extradition appeals and to release Julian from Belmarsh prison. The Morrison govt must do more to secure his freedom. #PressFreedom
6
149
411
On his 52nd birthday, supporters of Julian #Assange and #PressFreedom will be gathering outside the British Consulate in Sydney this Monday July 3 at 11am to call for his immediate release from prison and an end to the extradition process.
#FreeAssangeNOW #MEAAmedia
15
187
432
63,110
The role of the ABC chairman is to protect the organisation from political interference, not to act as a messenger boy for the govt of the day. #4corners #HandsOffOurABC
11
170
397
Important reminder that while Nine Publishing editorial workers are on strike, do not do not click on any articles from Nine mastheads The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, Brisbane Times and WAtoday and don’t buy the papers. #MEAAmedia #DontTorchJournalism sbs.com.au/news/video/staff-…
37
219
396
27,608
This is unacceptable interference in the ABC’s editorial independence . . . again. The government should not be dictating what the ABC should report on nor what is in the public interest. #HandsOffOurABC smh.com.au/politics/federal/…
20
106
395
It's very encouraging to hear that @AlboMP has personally advocated for the release Julian #Assange to the US government.
It's time that the US listens and drops all charges immediately. #PressFreedom
theguardian.com/media/2022/n…
10
157
411
Many freelance artists, performers and screen crew are ineligible for the government's new JobKeeper wage subsidy. Today they took action on social media to explain why we need an income subsidy for everyone.
@ScottMorrisonMP @JoshFrydenberg are you listening?
#NoWorkerLeftBehind
19
227
400
Full page ad in today's @thetimes ahead of the #Assange hearing beginning at 8.30pm AEDT. The US charges against Assange are a global attack on #pressfreedom and represent a threat to any journalist anywhere writing about the US government. #JournalismIsNotACrime #MEAAmedia
15
252
408
The status and integrity of multi-award winning journalists @Milliganreports and @neighbour_s is beyond question.
If any reminder was needed of that, the response from colleagues across the industry in recent days is resounding and clear.
9
70
360
.@KenRoth on the sacking of @antoinette_news: "It makes me wonder is [the] ABC willing to stand up to pressure not to criticise Israel? That's not serving the Australian public."
abc.net.au/listen/programs/r…
#MEAAmedia #NoFearNoFavour #PressFreedom
17
112
359
32,617
Today we remember the 5 Australian TV journalists murdered by Indonesian soldiers at Balibo on October 16, 1975. We will never give up the fight for justice on their behalf. #MEAAmedia #noimpunity
10
240
371
From tomorrow the British Home Secretary may order Julian #Assange's extradition to the US. @QuentinDempster and @MaryKostakidis will be speaking at a vigil outside the British Consulate from 5pm Wednesday on how his prosecution will be detrimental for #pressfreedom globally.
3
202
387
.@suigenerisjen, legal adviser to @wikileaks and Julian Assange, explains the implications for all journalists of the US gov. indictment against #Assange and why it is important for MEAA members to campaign on #PressFreedom grounds against his extradition.
#Wikileaks #MEAAMedia
23
276
354
BREAKING: UK judge rules against extradition of Julian #Assange to US on mental health grounds. Says he would be a suicide risk in US custody. #pressfreedom #MEAAmedia
11
138
364
It’s difficult not to conclude the new $84 million cut to the ABC is for political reasons. The ABC’s enemies will be very happy tonight. #HandsOffOurABC #budget2018
26
247
355
Nine is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars wining and dining its top managers and their guests in Paris but says it needs to sack 90 journalists to save costs. Our simple message: #DontTorchJournalism #MEAAmedia heraldsun.com.au/sport/olymp…
33
135
352
37,809
Thousands of workers in the arts and entertainment industries aren’t currently eligible for #jobkeeper because they are freelancer wage employees who work from gig to gig. Fix it please, @ScottMorrisonMP & @JoshFrydenberg. #insiders
6
163
336
On World Press Freedom Day 2024 we are calling on @POTUS to immediately drop all charges against our member Julian Assange in the name of #PressFreedom.
#LetHimGoJoe #FreeAssange #MEAAmedia #WorldPressFreedomDay2024
16
179
372
46,011
The new Australian Government should do the right thing for #pressfreedom and step up advocacy to the US to drop the charges against Julian #Assange. theguardian.com/australia-ne…
9
170
349
MEAA member Hugo Weaving shows his support for fellow MEAA member Julian Assange at the premiere of @IthakaMovie.
#FreeAssangeNOW #Assange
At tonight’s premiere of @IthakaMovie Hugo Weaving stood up for Julian Assange and urged everyone to go and see this “profoundly moving film”.
#FreeAssange
#sydfilmfest
@GabrielShipton
8
143
356
The ABC is a vital, life saving resource for all Australians during times of crisis such as the floods in QLD and NSW. It must be properly resourced to continue in this role, and the millions of dollars of years of budget cuts must be restored.
#HandsOffOurABC
23
86
351
#MEAAmedia is concerned about potential lack of access via video stream for Australian journalists to the UK High Court hearing about the Julian #Assange extradition next week. A meeting of union members this morning passed the attached motion.
15
194
350
61,538
MEAA staff and members will join a vigil at ABC Southbank in Melbourne at 12.30pm today for ABC colleague Roshdi Sarraj & the other 31 journalists & media workers killed in the Gaza conflict. #MEAAmedia #pressfreedom #endimpunity
14
142
341
34,215
This open letter has been published in all today’s major newspapers. It calls on parliament to legislate protections for journalists and whistleblowers.
Read it & add your name at journalismisnotacrime.org.
#journalismisNOTacrime #pressfreedom #MEAAMedia #AFPraids
42
223
352
As #JulianAssange's extradition hearing is about to begin in London it's important to remember the global implications to journalism, #pressfreedom, and the legal precedent this will set if he is extradited to the US.
@khrafnsson @suigenerisjen
#BringJulianHome #FreeAssange
14
223
325
We welcome Caroline Kennedy as the next US ambassador to Australia and will be seeking a meeting at the earliest possible time to push for the charges against Julian #Assange to be dropped. theguardian.com/us-news/2021… #MEAAmedia #PressFreedom
23
155
343
The next managing director of the ABC must stand strong against political interference and be a defender of the independence of its journalism. #MEAAmedia
#BREAKING: ABC managing director David Anderson has announced his resignation after almost six years at the helm of the national broadcaster.
ab.co/4dTFZ7K
30
110
310
20,380
Nine’s takeover of Fairfax is a bad day for media diversity and quality journalism. It should be rejected by the ACCC. Read our full statement here: meaa.io/2v0hMJ0 #MEAAmedia #FairGoFairfax
15
311
333
Antoinette Lattouf's win in unlawful termination case shows ABC Chair and management failed in their obligations to push back against outside influence, racism, and bullying.
#MEAAmedia #NoFearNoFavour
4
150
383
13,269
Media release: Editorial staff at the ABC have again registered a vote of no confidence in managing director David Anderson and senior managers over the broadcaster’s handling of complaints. meaa.io/3IKbun7 #MEAAmedia
10
146
308
34,459
MEAA has written to Prime Minister @AlboMP and Foreign Minister @SenatorWong urging them to press the United States to drop espionage charges against WikiLeaks publisher Julian #Assange.
#MEAAmedia #PressFreedom #FreeAssangeNOW
meaa.org/mediaroom/assange-e…
12
156
331
Musical and artistic expression have long been a vehicle for political commentary and a lens through which we examine the world. We are disturbed at this latest case of freedom of expression being compromised across the creative workforce. theage.com.au/culture/music/…
16
121
301
22,143
Peter Khalil says that helping Julian Assange and other Australians detained overseas should be a matter of principle and that liberal democracies "have to match our rhetoric on the freedom of the press with real action and backing that up” #QandA
10
144
321
Within hours, we will know if the bid by Julian #Assange to avoid extradition to the US has been successful. This case is critical for the future of #pressfreedom. rsf.org/en/news/usuk-future-…
10
147
298
How can @PaulFletcherMP deny the ABC budget cuts on live tv with a straight face? #insiders #HandsOffOurABC #SaveOurABC
19
110
293
Hundreds of Australian journalists have signed an open letter calling for fair and balanced coverage of Palestine. #MEAAmedia condemns intimidation in their workplace or elsewhere of any journalist who puts their name to the letter. dobetteronpalestine.com/ #pressfreedom
33
156
315
The US government should simply drop the charges against Julian #Assange or at least stop the extradition process and allow him to return to his home country.
The UK and Australian governments could do a lot more to facilitate this.
theguardian.com/media/2022/m…
13
156
314
For everyone who has fought for the last 5 years for Julian #Assange, his release today is the outcome of your relentless campaigning for justice.
Share this image far and wide to remind the world why this fight for #pressfreedom is so important. #MEAAmedia
11
146
321
24,030
MEDIA RELEASE: Reports that the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs advocated for a new form of media censorship and to “criminalise” journalism raise disturbing concerns that must be acted upon by the Federal Government. meaa.io/3RyEmED #MEAAmedia #pressfreedom
10
162
284
41,495
Media release: The US Government should respect Australia’s wishes and drop the charges against Julian #Assange before a court hearing begins next week. meaa.io/3uyMD26 #pressfreedom #MEAAmedia
12
147
284
64,608
Exclusive for #MEAAmedia members: @suigenerisjen and @MaryKostakidis in conversation about the fight against extradition to the US of Julian #Assange next Tuesday, October 27 at 7.30pm AEDT. Register here: meaa.io/2Hj2by2 #pressfreedom #journalismisnotacrime #righttoknow
10
177
285
A war crime was committed on October 16, 1975. But after 44 years, there is still no justice for the Balibo 5: Gary Cunningham, Brian Peters, Malcolm Rennie, Greg Shackleton and Tony Stewart. #Balibo #endimpunity #pressfreedom #MEAAmedia
17
177
297
Legendary journalist Kerry O'Brien discusses the implications of extraditing Julian #Assange to the US to be charged for his work with Wikileaks.
#MEAAmedia #PressFreedom @QandA #QandA
18
192
277
Regardless of where you stand on the referendum, this type of veiled threat to journalists spotted at a No rally on the weekend is unacceptable. #pressfreedom #MEAAmedia
Image credit: @arielbogle
36
93
261
30,042
The first episode of Ithaka: A Fight For Julian Assange goes to air tonight on @ABCTV and iView at 8.30pm, and you can join in the conversation using the hashtags #Ithaka #FreeAssangeNOW.
#MEAAmedia
10
171
287
Under the new laws a journalist could go to jail just for being sent documents even if they never published them. This is a direct attack on #pressfreedom in Australia.
SIGN the petition meaa.org/stop-criminalising-…
36
356
271
Let's be clear: sleazy cheque book journalism like this is the antithesis of what #MEAAmedia and our members stand for. smh.com.au/politics/federal/…
22
75
265
19,607
Media release: The @MelbSymphony has again overstepped the mark by declaring that a concert stage is not an appropriate forum for political comment. meaa.io/4fEWd6p
9
87
266
33,146
It is with sadness that MEAA notes the passing of legendary journalist George Negus. A founding member of 60 Minutes and former ABC reporter and host, he was a #MEAAmedia member since 1969.
His impact on Australian journalism will live on.
abc.net.au/news/2024-10-15/g…
5
65
273
15,533
It is 45 years today since our colleagues - Gary Cunningham, aged 27; Brian Peters, 24; Malcolm Rennie, 29; Greg Shackleton, 29; Tony Stewart, 21- were murdered by Indonesian special forces in East Timor. #pressfreedom #MEAAmedia #Balibo #endimpunity
9
153
259
In light of the recent events in Christchurch, it's important that journalists remember their ethical responsibilities and refrain from publishing any inflammatory content.
#MEAAMedia
17
143
251
Journalist Code of Ethics point 2: Do not place unnecessary emphasis on personal characteristics, including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief, or physical or intellectual disability. #AfricanGangs
18
197
260