Turkish Journalists Face Legal Challenges Amid Press Freedom Concerns
February 17, 2025
Belarus Releases American Journalist Amid Diplomatic Efforts
February 18, 2025
February 18, 2025 – Australia –
A 61-year-old man from Lake Cathie, New South Wales, has been arrested and charged with sending a harassing and racially charged email to journalist Antoinette Lattouf. The email, which contained violent threats, was reported to police by Lattouf in late 2024. Following an investigation by the Counter-Terrorism and Special Tactics Command’s Security Investigations Unit, authorities executed a search warrant at the man’s residence and arrested him on February 18, 2025. He has been charged under Section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) for using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend. The man has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in Port Macquarie Local Court on March 5, 2025.
Lattouf, known for her work as a journalist and diversity advocate, welcomed the arrest, emphasizing the importance of reporting online abuse. In a social media post, she shared her initial hesitation to report the incident but was encouraged by a police sergeant’s comment that online harassment often precedes physical violence against women. She urged others facing similar abuse to report it, stating, “You shouldn’t have to put up with it.”
This incident follows Lattouf’s ongoing legal battle with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), where she alleges unlawful dismissal after being removed from a temporary hosting role in December 2023. She contends that her dismissal was due to her social media post about the Israel-Gaza conflict, which she claims was influenced by external pressure. The Fair Work Commission ruled in her favor, and she is pursuing further legal action in the Federal Court.
The arrest underscores the serious legal consequences of online harassment and the importance of holding individuals accountable for such behavior.
Reference –
