The ABC is defending against an unlawful dismissal claim filed by former presenter Antoinette Lattouf. Her lawyer argues the dismissal was motivated by her political views and racial identity, while ABC's lawyer contends executives acted responsibly in prioritizing impartiality.
A lawyer representing the ABC in Antoinette Lattouf's unlawful dismissal case stated his intention to argue that ABC executives acted responsibly in their decision. Ms. Lattouf was asked not to return partway through a short presenting stint at ABC Radio Sydney in December 2023 following an Instagram post she shared. The broadcaster's former chief content officer deemed the post, which featured content from Human Rights Watch regarding the Israel-Gaza war, 'hugely problematic'.
\The ABC has commenced its defence against Ms. Lattouf's claim, asserting that management prioritized protecting the perception of impartiality when deciding to remove her from the airwaves. The journalist was dismissed after a week-long presenting engagement at ABC Radio Sydney, citing a social media post from Human Rights Watch about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Subsequently, she filed a legal action against the ABC, alleging that her dismissal stemmed from her political views and racial identity, and that executives were pressured by external 'lobbyists' to remove her. \ABC lawyer Ian Neil SC began his opening arguments on Wednesday morning, addressing the Federal Court. He stated his intention to argue that senior executives did not harbor an 'antipathy' towards Ms. Lattouf's opinions, as suggested by her lawyer. Lawyer Oshie Figir, representing Ms. Lattouf, on Monday presented messages and emails exchanged between managing director David Anderson, former chief content officer Chris Oliver Taylor, and former chair Ita Buttrose. Mr. Neil emphasized that the records demonstrate the ABC was not influenced by external pressures, contrary to Ms. Lattouf's team's assertions. He further indicated that he would argue Mr. Oliver-Taylor was the key decision-maker in standing Ms. Lattouf down, citing numerous meetings and correspondence where he sought advice regarding the perception of impartiality.
ANTIONETTE LATTOUF ABC DISMISSAL ISRAEL-GAZA WAR HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH IMPARTIALITY FEDERAL COURT
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