Antoinette Lattouf Wins Landmark Case Against ABC Over Gaza Post Firing
So, today we’ve got a big legal moment that's sparked major conversation across journalism, media freedom, and political expression—Antoinette Lattouf has officially won her unlawful termination case against the ABC. This isn't just a typical workplace dispute. This was about the intersection of free speech, media accountability, and the pressure public institutions face in politically sensitive times.
Let me walk you through what happened.
Back in December 2023, Lattouf, a prominent Australian journalist and media advocate, was casually hosting on ABC Radio Sydney. Midway through a five-day stint, she was abruptly taken off air. Why? Because she shared a post on social media by Human Rights Watch. That post reported that Israel was using starvation as a weapon in Gaza. The ABC later claimed this post breached their editorial policy, though it had not issued a direct directive for her to avoid such content.
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Fast forward to June 2025. The Federal Court has now ruled that the ABC did unlawfully terminate her—specifically because of her political opinion opposing the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Justice Darryl Rangiah was clear: this wasn’t about trust or editorial breaches. It was about appeasing external pressure, particularly from pro-Israel lobbyists, and silencing political opinion.
The court awarded Lattouf $70,000 in compensation for the shock, humiliation, and professional harm she suffered. That’s no small sum, but more importantly, it’s a statement. The judge emphasized that ABC management acted not based on internal editorial policy violations, but on outside influence and anticipation of backlash. One particularly damning detail? Former ABC Chair Ita Buttrose’s emails suggesting they find an excuse—like “a stomach bug”—to get Lattouf off air. It’s stuff that undermines the idea of a truly independent national broadcaster.
Lattouf, of Lebanese heritage, wasn’t silent after the ruling. She stood outside court and declared she had been punished for a political opinion, not misconduct. Her words were raw and powerful—condemning the ongoing suffering in Gaza and calling it engineered, deliberate, and criminal. Whatever your stance on the issue, her right to voice it—especially based on information from reputable organisations—was the point of legal contention, and now vindication.
This case wasn’t just about one journalist and one employer. It exposed deeper issues—racial undertones, institutional bias, and a glaring fear within mainstream media about upsetting certain political interest groups. The ABC even initially argued that Middle Eastern people don’t constitute a race under law—a claim they later withdrew under pressure.
Key ABC executives involved—Chris Oliver-Taylor, David Anderson, and even Buttrose—are no longer in their roles. Whether they stepped down because of this case or not, the timing is telling. The internal and external fallout was massive. And beyond the courtroom win, Lattouf’s case set a precedent. That no public broadcaster—or any employer, for that matter—should penalize someone for expressing a lawful political opinion, especially when that opinion is backed by human rights organizations.
So yes, Antoinette Lattouf may have started 2023 being pushed off the mic, but by mid-2025, she’s got the final word—and the court’s backing her up.
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