Australian Court Rules ABC Unlawfully Fired Journalist Over Gaza Post

June 25, 2025 – Australia – 

The Federal Court of Australia has ruled that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) unlawfully terminated journalist Antoinette Lattouf in December 2023, following her social media post highlighting a Human Rights Watch report on Israel’s alleged use of starvation tactics in Gaza. Lattouf, a Lebanese-Australian presenter, was midway through a five-day contract at ABC Sydney when she was abruptly dismissed after sharing the post on Instagram.

Justice Darryl Rangiah determined that Lattouf’s dismissal breached the Fair Work Act, concluding that the ABC acted under pressure from an “orchestrated campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists” and failed to uphold her workplace rights. The court awarded Lattouf AUD 70,000 (approx. USD 45,000) in compensation for emotional and reputational damage, with a separate hearing to decide whether ABC will face additional financial penalties.

The court found no evidence that Lattouf’s post breached ABC’s editorial policies or that any formal directive prohibited her from sharing it. Despite this, ABC executives decided to terminate her contract, citing concerns over impartiality and reputational risk. Justice Rangiah criticized ABC for acting in a “state of panic,” emphasizing that public broadcasters must not yield to political pressure or public campaigns that threaten journalistic independence.

The ruling also revealed a lack of clarity and consistency in ABC’s handling of external commentary by staff. Senior ABC leaders, including former chair Ita Buttrose and managing director David Anderson, were named in the proceedings as having contributed to the hasty decision-making process. Following the judgment, ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks issued a public apology and pledged to reform the organization’s guidelines on social media use and public expression.

Lattouf’s legal victory has been hailed by press freedom and anti-racism advocates as a landmark moment for journalists’ rights in Australia. It underscores the dangers of external influence on editorial integrity and reinforces protections for journalists who engage in political discourse. Lattouf has vowed to continue advocating for free expression and accountability in Australian media, stating that her case proves “journalists shouldn’t be punished for telling uncomfortable truths.”

Reference – 

https://www.dawn.com/news/1919996/australian-journalist-wins-unfair-dismissal-case-over-gaza-post

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/world/australia/abc-latouff-israel-gaza-firing.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4exrwj8pjo