MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 22nd August, 2024
Australia’s media heavyweights have tackled the growing issue of increasing demand and confusing charity appeals during major disasters at a roundtable in Sydney.
The roundtable was hosted by the Emergency Action Alliance which represents 15 major charities, including Save the Children, Oxfam, Plan International Australia and Australia for UNHCR. The Alliance has been set up to launch a centralised appeal in large scale humanitarian crises.
Attendees at the round table included MC, Geraldine Doogue AO; outgoing ABC Managing Director David Anderson; SBS Director of News Mandi Wicks; the CEO of Media Diversity Australia, Mariam Veiszadeh; CEO of FreeTV, Bridget Fair; The Guardian Editor Lenore Taylor; ABC Director of News, Justin Stevens; Executive Producer of News Development at Nine, Josie MacRae and Head of Digital News and Strategy at Network Ten, Rashell Habib.
Emergency Action Alliance Executive Director, Kerren Morris, says it was an historic meeting.
‘It’s very rare to have such powerful media outlets in the same room, so we’re hoping this roundtable was a pivotal moment that transforms the charity donation approach.’
‘It was fascinating to hear media outlets describe how difficult it is during a big emergency to juggle both the public’s desire to help, the numerous requests from charities to support their appeal and their desire to support.
‘Media organisations told us they don’t have the time during a major emergency to be determining which charity appeals to promote and conducting the necessary due diligence.
‘They made it very clear that it’s a huge issue for them and the EAA approach takes the pressure off them because all the work has been done for them.
The Emergency Action Alliance centralised appeal mechanism runs a centralised appeal on behalf of its 15 members, all leading humanitarian aid organisations. Money donated to the appeal is then distributed to those member charities that are responding to the emergency.
It’s an approach that’s already working in 13 other countries, including the UK. Now it’s building momentum in Australia.’ Ms Morris concluded.
The ABC is a media partner of the Emergency Action Alliance. Outgoing Managing Director, David Anderson, told the roundtable the ABC has already used the EAA approach in major emergencies and it’s working.
For more information about EAA visit: https://emergencyaction.org.au/
ENDS
MEDIA: Interviews with Kerren Morris and EAA Board Chair Matthew Maury are available. Contact Kerren Morris on 0410457869 info@emergencyaction.org.au
About Emergency Action Alliance (EAA):
EAA brings together 15 leading Australian NGOs to raise funds quickly and efficiently to respond to humanitarian emergencies as they unfold. Members include ActionAid Australia, Act For Peace, ADRA, Anglican Overseas Aid, Australia for UNHCR, Australian Lutheran World Service, Baptist World Aid Australia, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, CBM Australia, ChildFund Australia, Oxfam Australia, Plan International Australia, Save the Children Australia, and Tearfund Australia.