This
media release became public shortly after the end of the fourth court
sitting day in NSD189/2024:
Antoinette Lattouf v Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
ABC
staff ‘disgusted’ by handling of Lattouf case
2025-02-06
16:38:00 #MEAAMedia #WithMEAA MediaRoom Releases
The
ABC must commission an independent inquiry into the broadcaster’s
independence from outside interference and apologise for allowing
external pressure to influence the dismissal of Antoinette Lattouf
and attempts to have other journalists sacked in recent years.
Media,
Entertainment & Arts Alliance members at the ABC want the inquiry
to be conducted within 12 months and the full report released
publicly.
Following
a union meeting today, they are also demanding complete end to the
“special hotlines” that some groups are able to leverage to
influence the ABC and improved transparency about complaints and
lobbying activities directed at the Chair and managing director.
“Media,
Entertainment & Arts Alliance members at the ABC are dismayed by
the revelations emerging from the Antoinette Lattouf trial and
disgusted by the ABC’s handling of the case,” said the ABC
National House Committee.
“The
ABC’s position that Ms Lattouf has not “demonstrated the
existence of a Lebanese, Arab or Middle Eastern race” destroys any
hope that the ABC intends to address the systemic racism identified
by the Janke review of last year.
“As
a public broadcaster, the ABC must act as a model litigant. We demand
it immediately disavows this position and acknowledges, without
qualification, that Lebanese, Arab and Middle Eastern people can be
subject to racial discrimination.
“The
trial has confirmed our worst fears: the ABC’s independence is not
adequately protected. Across successive leaderships, political
pressure has influenced the ABC chair, leading to breaches of our
independence. There has been no commitment to change from the new
leadership.
“It’s
therefore not enough to change the personnel. The system allowing
those breaches needs to be changed.
“ABC
staff work tirelessly to build and maintain the ABC’s independence
and integrity. It is the board’s legal duty to protect that
independence and integrity. But time and again we see ABC chairs and
managing directors do the opposite.
“ABC’s
staff know social media rules are supposed to ensure the ABC isn’t
brought into disrepute, yet this court proceeding has badly harmed
the ABC’s reputation.
“This
must stop. We demand changes be made to ensure it does.
Resolution
ABC
MEAA members demand:
1.
An explicit acceptance by the ABC that they will not require any
proof that it is possible to be racist to a Lebanese/Arab/ Middle
Eastern person and an apology for making that argument in court.
2.
An independent inquiry, designed in collaboration with the ABC MEAA
National House Committee, to examine the ABC’s independence and how
outside pressure may have inappropriately influenced the ABC,
including the attempts to sack Emma Alberici and Andrew Probyn,
revealed in 2018, and the sacking of Antoinette Lattouf. Since these
cases appear to demonstrate inappropriate outside influence despite
personnel changes across successive leadership teams, the inquiry
should consider potential legislative, corporate culture or policy
changes that might be required, as well as changing or clarifying the
roles of the Chair and managing director, to better protect the ABC’s
integrity and independence. The inquiry should be conducted within 12
months and a full report be released publicly.
3.
A full apology to Antoinette Lattouf, ABC staff and the public for
allowing external pressure to influence the ABC, undermining the
ABC’s independence and hard-won trust.
4.
An acknowledgement from Chair Kim Williams that what occurred before
his time with the sacking of Lattouf was unacceptable and a
commitment to stop it happening again.
5.
A complete end to the “special hotlines” that some groups are
able to leverage to influence the ABC. All complaints received by
senior executives, the MD or the board must be directed to the
ombudsman or appropriate adjudicator with no further action. The ABC
should follow its established and rigorous complaints handling
process through the Ombudsman’s Office without interference or
influence from management. Editorial staff subject to complaints must
always be afforded the right to respond before any adverse findings
or actions are taken against them.
6.
Improved transparency around attempts to influence including the
Managing Director and Chair publishing their diaries and summaries of
all complaints and lobbying actions received by them.
7.
That the incoming MD Hugh Marks meets with the MEAA National House
Committee to openly and collaboratively discuss how to ensure these
longstanding problems are not repeated.
8.
That the ABC does not unduly fold to bad faith external media
campaigns.
9.
ABC Management will immediately work with ABC MEAA House Committee to
review and implement social media policy with transparency.
10.
Call on the ABC management to treat staff’s mental health
disclosures with respect in all circumstances, and recognise the
mental health toll of working in the media industry.
