The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is proposing to make around 58 roles redundant as it adopts changes to its ABC Archives.
Announcing the proposed changes, the ABC said in a statement that 30 new roles would be created in the Division and the final number of redundancies was yet to be determined.
“These proposed changes are the result of the extensive digitisation of the ABC Archive collection and the introduction of new tools and systems which enables different, more efficient work practices,” the ABC said.
It said technology now enabled more efficient content collection, management, discovery and reuse.
“We can therefore redesign the way we work to better support content makers as they serve changing audience needs,” the Corporation said.
“This means some roles are no longer required but also provides opportunities to develop new skills and create new and evolved roles.”
Managing Director of the ABC, David Anderson assured Australians that the proposed changes would not “in any way” affect the quality of the Archives’ content, now or into the future.
“The proposed changes to the management of the ABC Archives and news library would include introducing several new technological platforms to ensure accessibility,” Mr Anderson said.
“We are confident the proposed changes would not compromise the Archives team’s ability to provide appropriate services to content makers,” he said.
“Following the proposed changes, the ABC’s archives and library services would employ around 70 people.”
Mr Anderson said there would continue to be highly-skilled Archives staff based in newsrooms and assisting and supporting the ABC’s content teams, and they would remain responsible for the archiving of raw material.
However, ABC Section Secretary with the Community and Public Sector Union, Sinddy Ealy said the proposal would see over 1,200 hours a week of archival work fall by the wayside.
“Potentially jeopardising national archival footage, music, and work,” Ms Ealy said.
