Australia

Australia: Court Rules ABC Journalist Unlawfully Dismissed Over Gaza Post

JUN 25 2025·Updated JUN 28 2025

Story

Above: Antoinette Lattouf speaks to the media outside court on Jan. 18, 2024. Image credit: Dion Georgopoulos/The Sydney Morning Herald/Getty Images

The Facts

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) unlawfully sacked journalist Antoinette Lattouf after she posted about Israel's actions in Gaza on social media, Australia's Federal Court ruled earlier this week.
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Lattouf, a radio presenter, was three days into a five-day, fill-in contract when she was taken off the air in December 2023. It came after she re-shared a post from Human Rights Watch on Instagram that accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war.
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In ruling that ABC violated the Fair Work Act, which protects employees from being fired over their political opinions, Justice Darryl Rangiah said the decision to sack Lattouf was taken "to appease the pro-Israel lobbyists" who had launched "an orchestrated campaign" to take her off the air, sending ABC management into "a state of panic" before the decision was made.
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However, Rangiah rejected allegations that racism was also a factor in Lattouf's firing as her lawyers had alleged in the course of proceedings. Lattouf is of Lebanese origin.
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She was awarded A$70,000 ($45,696) in compensation for non-economic loss while a further hearing will be held to determine whether ABC will have further fines imposed.
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Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

ABC let its staff and audiences down in how it handled this case. The organization did not follow its processes for handling such a situation and, consequently, mistakes were made. ABC apologizes to Lattouf and wishes her the best going forward.

ABC

Narrative B

Lattouf's case is not only a victory for her but also for journalists across Australia and the world who have been silenced by large corporations. Impartial truth-seeking and journalistic integrity at work does not mean personal opinions should be muzzled.