Sydney, June 26: An Australian court has ruled that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) unfairly dismissed journalist Antoinette Lattouf over a social media post about Israel’s military actions in Gaza, awarding her A$70,000 (USD 45,400) in damages.
In a Federal Court decision handed down this week, Justice Darryl Rangiah found that the ABC terminated Lattouf’s short-term contract without following fair process, after she reshared a Human Rights Watch post on Instagram that accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon during its campaign in Gaza. The claim was denied by Israel but had been reported by ABC.
Lattouf, a temporary host for ABC Sydney’s Mornings program, had been hired on a five-day contract in December 2023. She was removed from the role on the second day of her tenure and escorted from the building. The ABC denied that she had been dismissed, citing that she was paid for all five days, but the court disagreed.
Justice Rangiah said the decision to end her contract was at least partly based on her views on Israel, though not due to her race or political affiliations. Additional penalties are still under consideration.
The case raised concerns over editorial independence at Australia’s public broadcaster, and the treatment of journalists from diverse backgrounds. Lattouf, who is of Lebanese heritage, is known for her work on racism, mental health, and inclusion in media.
Lattouf told the court she had received prior verbal approval from her manager to share information from “reputable” sources during her assignment. The Human Rights Watch post was shared under that understanding.
During proceedings, the court was shown internal communications revealing pressure on ABC executives to remove Lattouf before her post. Former ABC chair Ita Buttrose had forwarded emails from external parties opposing her appointment, while messages from WhatsApp groups organizing complaints were also presented as evidence.
ABC’s legal team argued that the decision was not disciplinary, but intended to protect the broadcaster’s reputation. Barrister Ian Neil SC said Lattouf’s contract had simply been shortened by two shifts. ABC declined to comment following the ruling.
The social media post in question referenced the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people. In the ensuing Israeli military campaign, Gaza’s health ministry reported more than 55,700 deaths, including over 15,000 children.
The ruling has prompted renewed scrutiny of ABC’s internal decision-making processes and its support for journalists, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
