- The Guardian
- Issue #2168
The Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) has joined with colleagues in Australia and Timor-Leste to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ‘Balibo Five.’
Greg Shackleton, Gary Cunningham, Tony Stewart, Malcolm Rennie, and Brian Peters were killed by Indonesian forces in the village of Balibo on 16 October 1975, after witnessing an incursion.
The New South Wales Coroner subsequently found that the journalists, who had been working for the Seven and Nine networks, had been deliberately shot or stabbed – not killed in crossfire – concluding that the acts were intended to silence them.
Their killers have never been brought to justice.
For half a century, the tragedy has stood as a chilling reminder of the extreme risks journalists face in exposing conflict, oppression, and incursions of state power.
“MEAA members honour the memory of the Balibo Five and we stand in solidarity with all journalists risking their lives to bring the world news that matters,” said MEAA Media Federal President Michael Slezak.
“Sadly, the tragedy of Balibo is not a relic of history. In Gaza alone, more than 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed – some deliberately targeted by the Israeli military.
“The courage and sacrifices of our colleagues compel us to redouble our commitment to journalist safety, accountability, and press freedom everywhere.”
MEAA welcomed the announcement of an official commemoration ceremony in Balibo on 16 October, which also coincides with Timor-Leste’s National Press Freedom Day.
Timor-Leste President Ramos-Horta has confirmed the award of posthumous national decorations to nine journalists – including the Australians – killed during the struggle for national independence.
The MEAA also strongly condemns plans by TasTAFE to scrap creative and media courses and sack the highly skilled staff who run them, following news of funding cuts.
If the plan goes ahead, Tasmanians will lose the ability to study visual arts, design, music, screen and media, fashion and textiles – among other courses – through TAFE, wiping out an essential pathway into the creative industries.
MEAA Deputy Chief Executive Adam Portelli said the decision would devastate access to education, particularly for low-income students who depended on subsidies.
“TAFE has long been a cornerstone of Tasmania’s training system, giving people from all backgrounds the chance to build skills, find meaningful work, and contribute to their communities,” Portelli said.
“Removing these courses effectively locks out the next generation of Tasmanian artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, and other creatives from pursuing their chosen careers.”
“The creative and media industries are not optional extras. They are vital to Tasmania’s culture, economy, identity, and community pride.”
“Cutting these programs will have long-term ripple effects that reach far beyond the classroom.”
“The government’s economic and community focus needs to go beyond football stadiums.”
Members of the Australian Education Union have protested against the cuts by rallying outside the Government Executive Building, Hobart, on 16 October.
MEAA stands in full solidarity with AEU members, TasTAFE staff and students, and the broader education and arts communities in opposing these cuts.
PARASITE OF THE WEEK: is fossil fuel giant Woodside. The Australian Conservation Foundation has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court to challenge Environment Minister Murray Watt’s approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas hub extension.
ACF and its legal team will argue:
The Minister wrongly considered the economic benefits of the unapproved Browse gas project in his Statement of Reasons for approving the NW Shelf extension.
The approval left out critical details. The Minister gave the green light without knowing the details of the gas the project will process and what pollution it will cause.
The Minister failed to consider the physical effects of climate change as an ‘impact.’
“We’re challenging the lawfulness of Minister Watt’s approval of this gas hub extension, which is the centrepiece of the most polluting gas project in the Southern Hemisphere,” said ACF’s General Counsel Adam Beeson.
