Journalists at some of Australia’s top newspapers began a rare five-day strike on Friday, halting work just before the Olympic opening ceremony due to a heated pay dispute.
This strike has affected the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and the Australian Financial Review, marking one of the most significant labor actions in Australia’s troubled news sector in years. Hundreds of journalists under Nine Entertainment have walked out from newsrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Even sports writers in Paris for the Olympics will strike, despite Nine spending $200 million for broadcasting rights.
“The Australian public relies on these journalists to stay informed, hold power accountable, and expose corruption, but they can’t do it without secure jobs,” said union representative Michelle Rae.
Reporters picketed outside The Age newsroom in Melbourne, waving placards and wearing white T-shirts that read, “Don’t torch journalism.”
The dispute is primarily about pay negotiations, but tensions have risen since management announced plans to cut up to 90 jobs. “It’s unacceptable for the company to force workers to choose between a modest pay rise and potential job cuts,” Rae added, noting that staff were asking for a pay increase in line with inflation.
Like many global newsrooms, Australian media has faced repeated job cuts due to declining print revenues and the rise of social media.
