SBS Dismisses Second Journalist After Contentious Social Media Posts In As Many Weeks

Following on from SBS’ recent sacking of sports reporter Scott McIntyre over controversial ANZAC Day tweets, in which he condemned the Nationalistic ANZAC narrative and notions of “celebration” rather than commemoration, the broadcaster has discontinued the casual shifts of reporter Marion Ives, a day after the journalist shared an article about SBS on her Facebook page, according to New Matilda.

Ives, who has been employed by SBS for seven years, was reportedly told she would no longer be receiving any shifts at SBS on her casual contract last week. The previous day, Ives had shared an article on Facebook published by The Conversation, titled “Whitewash? That’s Not The Colour of SBS Charter” by award-winning journalist and lecturer Helen Vatsikopoulos. The article focused on the broadcaster’s recent decision to not retain cadet journalist Widyan Al Ubudy following the completion of her cadetship tenure. SBS claimed the decision was made in line with “budgeting constraints”.

According to New Matilda, SBS failed to give Marion Ives “concrete reasons” for her dismissal, other than the same reason Widyan Al Ubudy was given – “budget constraints”. SBS News Chief Producer Steven Wilson reportedly commented on Ives’ sharing of The Conversation article on Facebook, saying “Shouldn’t people just shut up unless they know the facts?“

Following McIntyre and Ives’ dismissal at SBS, here’s hoping Lee Lin Chin doesn’t make a similar faux pas on social media.