Nine boss Mike Sneesby cops heat over Olympic torch

The media union has lashed Mike Sneesby over his decision to travel to the Paris Olympics when the company is beset by internal rancour over pay negotiations.

Nine boss Mike Sneesby carries the Paris Olympics torch in the Olympic torch relay. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

The nation’s biggest media union has lashed Nine Entertainment boss Mike Sneesby over his decision to travel to the Paris Olympics at a time when the company is beset by internal rancour over pay negotiations.

On Monday, Mr Sneesby carried the Olympic torch through an urban French town, as news was breaking that the 17 staff from Nine’s publishing division who had travelled to France to cover the Games would potentially be walking off the job on Friday for five days in solidarity with their colleagues back home.

“Rather than enjoying himself carrying the Olympic torch in France, Nine boss Mike Sneesby should be in Australia to sort out a new EBA for journalists in the company’s publishing division,” the union posted on X on Tuesday morning.

Sources at Nine’s newsrooms said many journalists were “unimpressed” by footage of Mr Sneesby parading with the Olympic torch in Paris during such a tumultuous period for the company.

It’s understood Mr Sneesby will be in Paris for three days after Friday’s Opening Ceremony, and then return to Sydney.

Unionised journalists at Nine’s publishing division voted to go on strike on after a Monday meeting to discuss the impending action. A follow-up meeting is scheduled on Wednesday with management at all Nine papers including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, Brisbane Times and WAtoday.

The MEAA is demanding a 20 per cent pay rise over three years for staff in the company’s publishing division, which is facing the imminent loss of 90 jobs amid a wider restructure at the media company.

If the proposed strike goes ahead, Nine’s Olympics coverage, in print at least, would be thrown into chaos, and the pressure on Mr Sneesby – who is already under fire over his handling of serious allegations levelled against the company’s former TV boss Darren Wick – would intensify.

Nine boss Mike Sneesby agreed to be a torchbearer for the Paris Olympic Games. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

Last year, Mr Sneesby piloted the company’s successful bid for the rights to the next five Olympics – two Winter Games, and three Summer Games, culminating in Brisbane 2032 – for which the network paid $305m.

Earlier this month, The Australian reported industry sources were forecasting a potential $60m loss for Nine at the Paris Games, with the financial hit exacerbated by the limp advertising market.

There was further upheaval at Nine’s publishing arm on Monday, with the announcement that the AFR’s editor-in-chief Michael Stutchbury was stepping down after 13 years in the role.

His replacement, James Chessell, was the former executive editor of The SMH and The Age.

On Tuesday, Stutchbury refused to be drawn on the looming industrial action when asked about it on ABC Radio.

“It’s not really for me to support the industrial action of journalists. Of course I understand it,” he told Radio National’s Patricia Karvelas.

Stutchbury said the AFR was “going through a new phase of transformation into a digital masthead, and the time is really right for someone who’s a little bit younger with fresh ideas and new energy to take over”.

Rather than enjoying himself carrying the Olympic torch in France, Nine boss Mike Sneesby should be in Australia to sort out a new EBA for journalists in the company's publishing division. https://t.co/Odu4lpOVqW#MEAAmedia

— MEAA (@withMEAA) July 23, 2024

On Tuesday, The Australian sought comment from Nine about the MEAA’s criticism of Mr Sneesby.

“Management is not responding to this,” a spokesperson said.

“We intend to proceed with the meeting we agreed to with the MEAA this Wednesday, where we will continue to negotiate in good faith with the bargaining committee.”