Antoinette Lattouf vs ABC: Unlawful Termination Case Exposes Systemic Racism and Bias

Image credits: Credit: Janie Barrett

Antoinette Lattouf, a journalist, has been embroiled in a high-profile unlawful termination case against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), alleging that her political opinion and Middle Eastern race played a role in her removal from radio. The case has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny, with many arguing that it exposes systemic racism and bias within the national broadcaster. Lattouf was taken off air part way through her five-day stint as a presenter for ABC Radio Sydney in December 2023, after sharing a post about the war in Gaza with the caption "HRW reporting starvation as a tool of war".

The ABC has argued that Lattouf was taken off air because she ignored instructions not to post about the conflict on social media, while Lattouf's lawyers argue that she was given advice to "keep a low profile" on social media, but not a clear direction to not post. The case has raised important questions about the role of journalism in holding those in power to account, and the need for a free and independent press. Lattouf's lawyers have argued that the ABC's decision to remove her from air was motivated by a desire to appease pro-Israel lobbyists, and that the broadcaster's actions were therefore unlawful.

The Federal Court has heard evidence from both sides, including testimony from Lattouf and her former manager, Elizabeth Green. Green told the court that she had advised Lattouf to avoid posting about controversial topics on social media, but that she had not given her a clear direction to not post. The ABC's barrister, Ian Neil, SC, has argued that Lattouf was not punished by being removed from air, but rather that the broadcaster was exercising its right to manage its workforce. However, Lattouf's lawyers have argued that this is a misrepresentation of the facts, and that the ABC's actions were clearly punitive.

The case has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny, with many arguing that it exposes systemic racism and bias within the ABC. Lattouf has told reporters that the case has been "devastating" for her, but that she is determined to see justice served. The Federal Court is expected to deliver its decision in the coming weeks, and the outcome is likely to have significant implications for the ABC and the broader media landscape. Some of the key stakeholders in the case include: * Antoinette Lattouf, the journalist who was taken off air * The ABC, the national broadcaster that employed Lattouf * Pro-Israel lobbyists, who allegedly pressured the ABC to remove Lattouf from air * The Federal Court, which is hearing the case and will deliver a decision in the coming weeks.

The timeline of events in the case is as follows: * December 2023: Lattouf is taken off air part way through her five-day stint as a presenter for ABC Radio Sydney * December 2023: Lattouf shares a post about the war in Gaza on social media, with the caption "HRW reporting starvation as a tool of war" * January 2024: Lattouf is paid for all five days of her contract, despite being taken off air * February 2025: The Federal Court hears evidence from both sides in the case * March 2025: The Federal Court is expected to deliver its decision in the case. Statistical data on the case includes: * 5 days: The length of Lattouf's contract with the ABC * 3 days: The amount of time Lattouf was on air before being taken off * 1 post: The number of social media posts that Lattouf shared about the war in Gaza * 100%: The percentage of Lattouf's contract that she was paid for, despite being taken off air.