ABC under fire over controversial detail in behind-the-scenes photos of one of its most popular shows
- ABC crew wears keffiyehs in publicity photos
- Jewish groups condemn images for science program
- READ MORE: Jewish group accuses ABC of biased reporting
The ABC has faced criticism after a film crew for one of its programs was caught wearing keffiyeh scarves, an item of clothing associated with Palestinian political groups.
Backstage photos showed Catalyst employees wearing signature black-and-white checkered hats over their caps. Another group photo, taken with scientists, showed three people wearing keffiyehs around their necks.
ABC crews filmed on location at remote Lake Callabonna in South Australia, documenting the search for megafauna fossils for the two-part series ‘Megafauna: What Killed Australia’s Giants?’
The special was launched a week ago on the national broadcaster’s iView channel.
Australian Jewish Association (AJA) CEO Robert Gregory accused ABC staff of wearing the symbolic clothing to “irritate Australians”.
“Why on earth do they feel the need to politicise a show about ancient marsupials?” he asked Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.
‘Posing with what has become a highly political symbol is a stupid stunt designed to irritate Australians.
‘The ABC cannot help but meddle in left-wing politics and virtue signaling.
The ABC camera crew wore keffiyeh scarves, which are associated with Palestinian groups and causes, in a story that showed the making of the science program Catalyst
“The ABC charter calls for impartial reporting, yet it consistently fails to live up to its own charter. Taxpayers should not be forced to fund the ABC.”
The ABC has strict editorial rules and requires contributors to be impartial in their reporting.
However, ABC’s reporting and staff commentary on the bloody war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas have been a frequent source of contention since the current conflict began on October 7 last year.
Radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf was fired by the ABC in December, just three days into her week-long gig, over her reporting on the Gaza war, in which she condemned Israeli actions.
Lattouf’s posts on various online platforms are said to be in breach of the ABC’s social media policy.
She has since taken legal action against the ABC, claiming the decision is political, based on her views on Palestine and her Lebanese heritage.
Last December, ABC removed a TikTok article that portrayed the consumer boycott of Israel in a positive light.
A group photo of the ABC camera crew and scientists showed three people wearing the signature scarves
ABC reporter Amal Wehbe’s social media story showed how you can join the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) protest movement, which targets Israeli goods and products, as well as companies that support the Jewish state.
The story was removed by the ABC after Daily Mail Australia asked the announcer questions, but was subsequently put back online.
Mr Gregory said his group was “frustrated by how often the ABC makes mistakes when covering important international news stories, particularly in the Middle East”.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABC for comment.
