‘Shocked and repulsed’: ACM leaders back vote of no confidence in Catalano
Antony Catalano (Instagram)
Australian Community Media executives have backed a vote of no confidence in the company’s co-owner Anthony Catalano from its journalists, following his alleged assault on a woman last week.
ACM-employed members of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance met on Tuesday, and issued a statement that afternoon saying Catalano’s actions “undermine the trust of the communities we live and work in”.
Catalano faces charges of assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill, following an incident in Melbourne last Thursday that allegedly saw a woman hospitalised with a fractured tailbone. He has taken a six-month leave of absence from all his business interests, and has self-admitted to rehabilitation for substance abuse.
“We are disgusted and sickened about the allegations and welcome his forced leave of absence as executive chair of the board,” the union statement said..
“However, this does not go far enough. We cannot sit by while we report on violence and the deaths of women, which cause vicarious trauma for staff and communities, while these allegations stand.
“As co-owner of ACM, a news organisation that reports on horrific domestic and family violence with truth, honesty, and respect, the allegations against Mr Catalano tarnish the reputations of hard-working staff.
“Violence against women is a scourge on our nation and one that must be eradicated. Our thoughts are with the alleged victim and those impacted.”
ACM issued a response to the MEAA members’ statement on Wednesday afternoon, acknowledging the vote of no confidence, and adding its support.
“We understand that the employees of ACM are angry and disgusted about the allegations of violence towards a woman,” the company said.
“That anger is entirely justified. We, the leaders of ACM, share that anger. Like our valued colleagues, we are shocked and repulsed by the alleged behaviour.”
Catalano faces charges of assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill
The union said its members should be made to feel comfortable to “cover this case independently with the same standards and rigour applied to every court story”.
“This case, like any serious case addressing allegations of gendered violence, requires rigorous reporting without fear or favour,” the statement continued.
“Staff have expressed their disappointment that, unlike the fearless court reporting we conduct each day, reporting on this matter within ACM has minimised extremely distressing allegations that impact families and communities.
“We call on management to ensure ongoing coverage is properly resourced as a matter of significant public interest.”
In response to this, ACM said the company’s publications had “a long and proud history of campaigning against violence towards women. Our dedicated journalists report on these distressing stories daily”.
“Gendered violence is vile and inexcusable, and it has no place in our organisation. It is not part of our culture, and it never will be.
“We will not allow the allegations against this individual to compromise the values, the integrity or the credibility of our mastheads or the hard-earned reputations of our staff.
“The judicial process that is now on foot will be covered rigorously and thoroughly. It will be properly resourced and reported without fear or favour.
“We owe it to our readers, our advertisers and the many hundreds of people whose livelihoods depend on this business.
“Above all, we owe it to women who are the victims of violence.”
In a separate development, the Australian Financial Review apparently defied a court order in naming the woman allegedly assaulted by Catalano.
ACM’s executive chair will face court on 11 May.
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That pic of him laughing in the pink shorts is an absolute stitch up.
it’s ironic that none of the major media editors, CEOs, real estate figures or boards have publicly supported him since the most recent incident. The concept of a bandwagon jumps out. These are the same circles that previously dismissed women who spoke out as ‘trouble,’ while enabling widely known behaviour and reinforcing the myth of the “Cat” through decades of deals and favourable media exposure. I have little doubt that a managed redemption with a glossy photo shoot, a narrative reset, and “the comeback Cat” is entirely predictable.
He is a complex individual. In the limited time I knew him at ACM, I saw that he was a devoted father. I hope he gets the support he needs and takes the time and space to focus on his children, away from the limelight. As someone wrote this week, house of cards.