ABC journalists strike over pay, conditions and AI concerns

Journalists at Australia’s national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, have gone on strike for the first time in 20 years over pay, working conditions and concerns about artificial intelligence replacing jobs.

Hundreds of staff walked off the job on Wednesday after union members rejected a pay offer that they say does not keep up with the rising cost of living.

The broadcaster had offered a 10% pay increase over three years, including a 3.5% rise in the first year. However, this falls short of Australia’s inflation rate, which stood at 3.8% in January.

As a result of the strike, major programmes, including the flagship 7.30 current affairs show and breakfast broadcasts, have been disrupted, with reruns and pre-recorded content filling the gaps.

Staff are also raising concerns about job security, calling for better career progression, higher pay for night work, and reduced reliance on short-term and casual contracts.

A key issue is the growing use of artificial intelligence, with workers pushing for assurances that AI will not replace journalists.

ABC management says the pay offer is the highest it can sustainably provide as a publicly funded broadcaster and has described the deal as financially responsible.

The dispute will now be taken to Australia’s workplace tribunal, the Fair Work Commission, in an effort to reach a resolution.

The strike highlights broader challenges facing media organisations globally, including cost pressures, job security and the impact of emerging technologies on journalism.