The finding against the ABC over its sacking of broadcaster and writer Antoinette Lattouf is an important outcome for the right of journalists to do their jobs without fear or favour.
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance welcomes the ruling by the Fair Work Commission that the ABC terminated Ms Lattouf from her role as a fill-in presenter on Sydney radio in December last year because of a social media post.
This will now allow Ms Lattouf to pursue an unfair dismissal claim in the Federal Court.
The acting director of MEAA Media, Michelle Rae, said the ABC should have supported Ms Lattouf during a period when she was facing external criticism, but instead sacked her.
MEAA maintains that Ms Lattouf was unfairly dismissed with insufficient warning because of external lobbying. The ABC has provided a flimsy justification that she breached its social media policy.
“Australians expect and deserve an ABC that is home to a range of ideas and opinions reflective of the diversity of Australian society, which is why Antoinette Lattouf was employed in the first place,” Ms Rae said.
“When she became the subject of a covert campaign to have her dismissed because of her views on the war in Gaza, the ABC should have backed her to the hilt.
“Instead, she was sacked with just a few minutes notice.
“The mishandling of Antoinette Lattouf’s employment has done enormous damage to the integrity and reputation of the ABC and undermined the confidence of editorial staff in the organisation’s senior management.
“The Lattouf case continues a pattern of ABC journalists, particularly those from culturally diverse backgrounds, lacking support from management when they face criticism from lobby groups, business organisations and politicians.
“In the wake of the Fair Work Commission decision, the position of the person who authorised Ms Lattouf’s sacking, Chris Oliver-Taylor, is now totally untenable.
“He should step down immediately from his role as the ABC’s Head of Content.”
