Journalist’s Firing Over Gaza Post Deemed Unlawful by Court
An Australian court rules ABC wrongfully removed journalist Antoinette Lattouf after Gaza-related post, sparking national debate over press freedom and bias.
Australian journalist Antoinette Lattouf has won her unfair dismissal case against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) after a federal court found she was wrongly pulled off air for sharing a social media post about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
فيديو ذات صلة
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The court ruled on Wednesday that ABC acted unlawfully when it ended Lattouf’s short-term role as a radio presenter in December 2023, following her repost of a Human Rights Watch statement critical of Israel. She was awarded A$70,000 in damages, with further penalties still under discussion.
Social Media Post Sparked Backlash, ABC Faced Lobbying Pressure
The controversy began when Lattouf reshared a post accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon in Gaza — a claim Israel denies. Within hours, she was told to leave her post, ending her fill-in radio stint just three days in.
The court found there was no clear policy breach, despite ABC’s claim that the post violated editorial standards. Justice Darryl Rangiah noted that Lattouf had been advised, not directed, to avoid controversial posts. He also acknowledged intense lobbying from pro-Israel groups, which reportedly caused panic within ABC management.
ABC Apologizes, Admits Mistakes
After the ruling, the ABC issued a public apology, admitting it had “let down staff and audiences.” New Managing Director Hugh Marks said the situation wasn’t handled properly and that ABC’s social media guidelines have since been revised.
The judge also criticized the lack of due process, pointing out that Lattouf was removed without a proper explanation or a chance to respond. The decision to pull her off air was leaked immediately, damaging her reputation in the media industry.
Debate Over Independence and Cultural Diversity at ABC
The case has sparked wider conversations about media freedom, political influence, and representation of culturally diverse voices in journalism. Lattouf, who is of Lebanese heritage and a known voice in activism against racism and discrimination, said she was targeted for her political opinions, not her professionalism.
Her lawyer stated the ruling “goes right to the top” of ABC’s leadership and highlighted concerns about ongoing bias and blacklisting.
Background: Why It Matters
The dismissal happened amid global tension over the Israel-Gaza war, which Justice Rangiah described as “the most contested news story in the world.” Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, more than 55,000 people have died in Gaza, according to health officials in the region.
This case has become a flashpoint in Australia over press freedom and media integrity, especially as national broadcasters face increased pressure to balance public opinion, editorial independence, and political sensitivities.