Women in Media acknowledges the serious concerns raised in recent days about allegations of inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment towards female staff in the media workforce.
As a non-profit industry body, we work hard to elevate women’s media career paths and narrow the gender pay gap. Yet safety at work should be the most basic right of our members, who work in all forms of media, advertising, marketing, and communications.
Large media companies in particular, as major employers, have a positive duty to act promptly and fairly where complaints are raised and to protect the confidentiality of complainants. They also have a duty to be proactive in the prevention of workplace sexual harassment. We call on the senior management and boards of all Australian media companies to review their internal processes to ensure this is addressed as a matter of priority and that women feel safe in raising their concerns.
Women in Media stands ready to work with our members and their employers to safeguard the right of all media women to work in safe, dignified workplaces.