Nine Entertainment journalists vote to strike on eve of 2024 Olympics

Journalists from Nine’s newspapers have voted to take strike action on the eve of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

Journalists from the Nine Network have sensationally voted to go on strike on the eve of the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris.

Nine bought exclusive broadcast rights to the Paris Olympics as part of a $305 million deal that takes in rights to Games up until Brisbane in 2032.

But now, in a move that threatens to cripple the rightsholder’s newspaper coverage of the 2024 games, bosses and union representatives are set to meet for urgent talks Wednesday to come to a resolution after print reporters planned strike action for five days from Friday.

Staff at the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAtoday, Brisbane Times and Australian Financial Review “overwhelmingly” voted in favour of striking on Monday afternoon, after failing to agree with management over pay conditions, diversity in the workplace and protection against the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Nine Entertainment journalists are set to strike from Friday. Picture: AAP/ Julian Andrews

Reporters at Nine’s newspaper titles voted in favour of strike action. Picture: AAP/Dean Lewins

The decision was made by members of the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), with more than 90 per cent supporting strike action.

It’s no doubt prompted alarm bells among Nine executives, who have reportedly spent up to $120 million to broadcast this year’s Games, per The Australian.

In a brief statement, a Nine spokeswoman said management would “continue to negotiate in good faith with the bargaining committee” at today’s meeting.

Nine chief executive Mike Sneesby, who is in Paris, had grand plans to promote the Olympics across all of the network’s platforms, which includes several mastheads as part of Nine Entertainment Co’s merger with Fairfax Media in 2018.

While live broadcast coverage on Channel 9 is the pièce de résistance of the network’s offering, with a 200-strong team deployed to the French capital, the time difference means Australians will likely be playing catch-up on events from overnight via newspapers and digital media.

It raises questions over whether Olympics-related coverage will feature in Nine’s own papers over the weekend and into next week.

Nine has sent their best broadcast talent to cover the Paris Olympics, including A Current Affair host Allison Langdon.

Nine CEO Mike Sneesby carries the Olympics torch in Paris. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

An MEAA spokesperson said staff’s decision to go on strike on the eve of the Olympics was “not made lightly”.

“Members regret the disruption the industrial action may cause,” the spokesperson said.

“We urge management of Nine Publishing to resolve the issues in the bargaining meeting on Wednesday.

“The company’s pay offer fails to acknowledge cost of living pressures and management has not dealt with other claims from journalists including a genuine commitment to better workplace gender and cultural diversity, improvements to grade progression and protection through consultation in relation to AI,” the statement continued.

“These mastheads are strong financial performers, and have a reputation for award-winning journalism, and Nine needs to invest in its editorial front line ahead of its financial bottom line.”

Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo are in the French capital.

Meanwhile, The Australian reports Nine stands to lose money from its blockbuster Olympics deal due to a lack of advertising spend as the cost of living bite forces companies to tighten expenditure.

The outlet claimed the broadcaster was facing a possible $60 million loss after the games wrap up.

It comes amid a turbulent period for Nine. Former chairman Peter Costello resigned in June just days after he was accused of assaulting a News Corp journalist at Canberra airport.

Former news director Darren Wick, who was employed by the network for 29 years, abruptly departed in March after reports of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Wick is yet to comment on the allegations.