Antoinette Lattouf wins unlawful termination case against ABC

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance welcomes the Federal Court’s finding that journalist Antoinette Lattouf was unlawfully terminated by the ABC.

Today’s result sends a clear message: the ABC Chair and management failed in their obligations to push back against outside influence, racism, and bullying.

MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley said the ABC’s leadership had capitulated to political pressure and pro-Israeli lobbyists at the cost of its own staff, values, and the public’s trust.

“ABC decision makers failed in their duty to push back against outside interference, racism and bullying,” said Ms Madeley.

“They failed every Australian who counts on the ABC to shine a light in dark places fairly, bravely, and without fear or favour.

“Instead of defending its journalists, ABC management chose to appease powerful voices, undermining editorial independence and wasting more than $1 million of taxpayer money so far in the process.”

“Public money should be invested in the journalists responsible for producing quality public-interest journalism, not lawyers and crisis management experts to excuse poor decisions.

“This is a betrayal of the ABC’s mandate, and of the people who work every day to uphold it.”

MEAA is calling on the ABC to urgently begin repairing trust with its workforce, and to reaffirm its commitment to fearless, independent journalism.

“Media employers must protect their workers, not throw them under the bus to avoid political heat,” Ms Madeley said.