The former chair of ABC questioned a decision to retain a part-time radio presenter on the airwaves, despite the management concluding that her remarks about Israel’s actions in Gaza did not violate the broadcaster’s neutrality guidelines.
Antoinette Lattouf was recruited to host the Mornings show on ABC Radio Sydney for five days – Monday to Friday – in December 2023.
Nevertheless, the 41-year-old presenter was dismissed after just three days on the job for reposting an Instagram update from Human Rights Watch alleging that Israel was employing starvation as a tactic of warfare in Gaza.
In an internal message, he stated, “If we opt to dismiss her, there will likely be accusations of unjust termination given her well-known stance on the Middle East prior to her appointment, arguments that we succumbed to pressure from pro-Israel groups, and the fact that she did not actually infringe upon impartiality rules during this week.”
Buttrose says she then accepted Anderson’s decision to retain Lattouf as final.
“Thanks for the explanation, David – it must be Christmas,” she wrote back.
The affidavit also reveals that Buttrose, despite her senior role in the ABC, personally responded to 26 complaints sent about Lattouf, and sent six emails to then-ABC content chief Chris Oliver-Taylor who had been tasked to deal with the issue.
In her testimony, Buttrose denied being antagonistic towards Lattouf or using her position to pressure those below her for the journalist’s removal.
She claimed the 41-year-old should never have been employed at the ABC because she was an activist.
Lattouf alleges she was fired because of her political opinion and race after the ABC bowed to pressure from pro-Israeli lobbyists.
She is seeking compensation and penalties from the broadcaster.
The ABC is defending the case, saying she ignored a direction not to post anything on the Israel-Gaza conflict while working on Mornings.
The matter will return to court on February 27 for closing submissions
