ABC drops summer radio host over pro-Palestine social media posts
The ABC has dropped Antoinette Lattouf from her summer radio gig for posting pro-Palestine content to her social media platforms.
The journalist and media personality has been outspoken in her support for a ceasefire online, which may have been seen to have contradicted the ABC’s strict editorial policy.
The ABC confirmed Lattouf would “not be back on air for her remaining two shifts this week”.
Lattouf had been filling in for ABC Sydney mornings host Sarah McDonald since Monday and was originally due to remain in the role until Friday.
Taking to social media to express her disappointment with the decision, Lattouf said she believed she had been “terminated unlawfully”.
“This is not a win for journalism or critical, fair thinking. I’m currently considering my legal options,” she wrote.
In a statement shared to Mumbrella, an ABC Spokesperson said: “ABC Sydney casual presenter Antoinette Lattouf will not be back on air for her remaining two shifts this week.”
It comes after staff at triple j faced disciplinary action over a pro-Palestine monologue from hip hop artist Miss Kaninna, following an investigation from the ABC Ombudsman.
Presenting on the broadcaster’s Hip Hop Show in late November, Kannina, a Yorta Yorta, Djadja Wurrung, Yirendali and Kalkadoon woman from Tasmania, played a 2011 track called Long Live Palestine.
“…12 years later the genocide, the oppression and the continued hate towards Palestine people on their lands is wild. When is something going to change? When are we going to wake up,” she said on air.
Last month, the ABC’s Justin Stevens warned against sharing opinions that may bring into question their impartiality, after a significant number of the broadcaster’s editorial staff signed an open letter calling for more ethical coverage of the conflict in Gaza.
“Signing this petition may bring into question your ability to cover the story impartially,” he wrote in an all-staff email.
“As I have said several times recently, maintaining trust and credibility as an ABC staff member means you forgo the opportunity to share your opinions about stories which you report or may be involved in.”
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