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Ocotber 13, 2025 – Australia/Palestine –
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Australian affiliate, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), have strongly denounced efforts by lobby groups to silence Australian journalists who report critically on Israel’s war in Gaza.
In a public statement, IFJ and MEAA assert that targeting, harassment, and censorship campaigns represent serious threats to press freedom and democratic rights. They called on media organizations and regulatory bodies to uphold journalists’ fundamental rights to free expression and access to information.
One high-profile case involves Lebanese-Australian journalist Antoinette Lattouf, who the Federal Court ruled was unlawfully dismissed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Her dismissal stemmed, the court found, from sharing a social media post by Human Rights Watch about violations in Gaza—pressures from pro-Israel lobby groups were deemed a motivating factor. The court ordered additional compensation in addition to the earlier award.
Other examples include cricket reporter Peter Lalor, who broadcast on SEN after reposting Gaza-related content, and veteran journalist Mary Kostakidis, who has faced legal action linked to her social media commentary on Israel. Kostakidis’s case involves allegations of sharing “antisemitic” posts, a claim she contests as vague and unfair.
In defending these journalists, MEAA emphasized the role of media professionals in raising political, ethical, and humanitarian truths—even when controversial. IFJ likewise affirmed its unwavering solidarity, stressing that independent journalism is more vital than ever in the face of partisan pressure.
This situation underscores a troubling trend: that journalists in well-established democracies can still face censorship and retaliation when reporting on contentious global issues. The IFJ’s stance casts the issue not only as a local media struggle, but as a wider test of democratic resilience and media integrity.
Reference –
IFJ condemns Australian lobby censorship bids to ‘silence’ reporting on Gaza
