David Anderson, the managing director of the ABC, admitted that the public broadcaster did not seek appropriate advice from its people and culture department before dismissing Antoinette Lattouf. Anderson's testimony in Lattouf's unlawful termination case against the ABC revealed a lack of proper process and potential denial of Lattouf's right to respond. The case has sparked a crisis for the ABC, with Anderson facing scrutiny over the broadcaster's handling of controversial comments made by its high-profile stars.
ABC managing director David Anderson has conceded the public broadcaster did not seek appropriate advice from its people and culture department before sacking Antoinette Lattouf .
Pressed by Lattouf’s barrister, Oshie Fagir, whether that step was, in fact, an investigation, Anderson said: “Hindsight is a wonderful thing. You would like to have seen that there was certainly a discussion with Ms Lattouf, to find out the motivation behind, what I believed at the time, was disobeying direction,” Anderson said.
This included comparing Lattouf’s Instagram post on December 19, 2023, where she reposted the same Human Rights Watch report the ABC had itself reported the night before, and over which she was ultimately sacked. When presented with the ABC’s own story, Anderson said the headline of the broadcaster’s digital report did not breach its impartiality guidelines.
He also revealed emails sent by former ABC radio executive Steve Ahern, who said Lattouf was hired as part of the ABC’s “diversity policy”.Radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf arrives at the Federal Court in Sydney on Wednesday.Neil reaffirmed the ABC’s position that Oliver-Taylor was the “sole decision maker” in removing Lattouf, rather than former chair Ita Buttrose or Anderson. Anderson appeared to back up this position later in the day.
ABC Antoinette Lattouf Unlawful Termination David Anderson Employee Relations Editorial Policies Controversial Comments
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