The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) has appointed a new leadership team for its Media section. Michael Slezak, an environment reporter with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), has been appointed as the Federal President of MEAA Media. Joining him as Federal Vice-Presidents are Bianca Hall, an environment and climate reporter for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, and Kasun Ubayasiri, a senior lecturer and Program Director of Communication and Journalism at Griffith University.

The appointments were approved by the MEAA Board following the resignations of Karen Percy, Erin Delahunty, and Kate Ferguson. The new leadership team will also serve as directors of the Walkley Foundation, an organisation known for its role in promoting excellence in journalism.

MEAA Federal President, Michael Balk, said: "Mikey, Bianca and Kasun are all highly-respected leaders in their own workplaces who have now stepped up to be leaders of their union." He further added, "They have shown a great commitment to their industry and to their union over a long period of time and are excellent appointments."

In a collective statement, the new leadership team said: "There are many big issues confronting our industry: the sustainability of media business models to continue delivering independent and quality journalism, tackling the financial and employment insecurity of freelancers, the roll out of Artificial Intelligence, maintaining trust with audiences through ethical journalism, and diversifying the workplace profile of our industry so it truly represents modern Australia.

"MEAA has a long and proud history of more than a century advocating for Australian journalists and media workers, including as custodian of the Walkley awards, and whenever there has been a challenge we have always overcome it.

"As directors of the Walkley Foundation, we will take very seriously its constitutional requirement to build a community of journalists and protect it from any undue corporate influence. Independent, ethical journalism will remain the foundation’s driving goal.

"Our invitation to representatives from the foundation to meet with us and our elected colleagues on MEAA’s National Media Section committee to discuss the future governance of the foundation remains open."