This bloodletting must stop 13 June 2001

Ten days after the ABC lost its director of television, Gail Jarvis, another senior executive has gone. Ros Cheney, Arts Editor for ABC Radio was told on Tuesday that her position had been abolished. She was then told to leave the building. Ms Cheney is a distinguished broadcaster and manager who has worked for the ABC for thirty years.

The ABC Charter requires the Corporation :
"to encourage and promote the musical, dramatic and other performing arts in Australia".

Darce Cassidy, National Spokesperson for Friends of the ABC, said:
"Even before he took up duty as Managing Director, Jonathan Shier had employed consultants to find replacements for ABC executives. As soon as he arrived the sackings began. Now, more than fifteen months later, they are still continuing. Whether by dismissal, redundancy or resignation the result is the same. The ABC can not afford to loose this much talent and experience"

"There are two issues here. First, ABC radio has done extremely well with its arts coverage, especially on Radio National. There is no basis for sacking Ros Cheney. Second, given the requirements of the ABC Charter, it does not make sense to abolish the position of Arts Editor.

The following is a partial list of senior staff who have left the ABC since Jonathan Shier was appointed. Some were sacked, some were made redundant, and some resigned.

Paul Williams Head of News and Current Affairs
Andy Lloyd James Head of National Networks
Sarah Benjamin Head of Radio Networks
Ian McGarrity Head of ABC Development
Marie Mohr Executive Producer, 7.30 Report
Hugh McGowan Programmer, Network Television
Steven Alward Network Manager, Radio National
Peter James Network Manager, Classic FM
Ian Wolfe Network Manager, News Radio
Colin Griffiths General Manager, ABC Multimedia and Online
Michelle Dunstan ABC Online Business Development
Malcolm Smith Manager Business Affairs, National Networks
Richard Ives Manager Business Affairs, Network Television
Sue Masters Commissioning Editor, TV Drama
Jeune Pritchard Commissioning Editor, TV Documentaries
Paul Barry Presenter, Media Watch
Guy Dunstan Director, Content Development
Gail Jarvis Director Television
Tony Virgo Head of TV Drama
Kate Miller State Manager, NSW
Jacqui Hutchison Director of Human Resources
Terry Maloney Director ABC Enterprises
Julianne Schulz General Manager, Corporate Strategy and Communications
Pauline Garde Manager, Policy and Planning, National Networks
Janet Clayton Head, Corporate Planning
Roger Grant Manager International Liaison
Pat Hislop Manager Audience Research
Ros Cheney Editor, Radio Arts

…..ends

Further comment: Darce Cassidy, National Spokesperson 0412 685 178