A former ABC radio presenter says that she has been assumed to discuss cats and Christmas pudding and did not want to become a poster girl for justice, humanity and freedom of the press after sharing an anti-Israel social media post.
Antoinette Lattouf was hired on an informal basis to present the mornings show on ABC Radio Sydney for five days in December 2023.
She was fired in her role for three days after sharing a Human Rights Watch post and said that Israel had used hunger as an 'weapon of war' in Gaza.
Six months after launching her federal lawsuit against the ABC, Lattouf posted a video on Instagram stating that she was publicly recognized, but had not registered as the 'poster girl' for humanity, justice and freedom of the press.
Under the introduction to the ABC Ian Neil SC lawyer as a hearing on Tuesday, Lattouf said she was hired to speak about cats and Christmas pudding in the broadcast, but had shared a post that came at a significant price.
“Current lawsuits, constantly being overlooked, stressed, mocked by the new chairman of the ABC at the National Press Club, I have had the most terrible wrong characteristics about me in the Murdoch press,” she told the court.
“I don't want anything about this. I shared a Human Rights Watch message. '
Lattouf says she had received death threats and had become paranoid that people followed her.
'I don't think it's fair that I don't post: “Antoinette Lattouf remembers that he told an ABC manager
Earlier on Tuesday she told a phone call with ABC Radio Sydney Content Director Elizabeth Green two days before she was released.
Mrs. Green reportedly described the ABC that received a stream of complaints from pro-Israël lobbyists about the decision to put Lattouf in the air.
“I said,” If heaven was blue, they would probably have a problem with it, “Lattouf told court.
“(Green) said,” Yes, I agree, it is angry that I have to have this conversation. “
Lattouf said that she then returned to a suggestion that she is holding a low profile on social media and perhaps remembering something during her stint with the ABC.
“I said,” I don't think it's fair that I don't post, “she told the court.
Lattouf said that Green finally agreed that she could post facts from renowned sources, but suspected or wrong information was off the table.
Although it was released because of the Human Rights Watch Post, the ABC and BBC had published two articles about the claims of the organization in the days before, she said.
Mrs. Lattouf disputed what she thought was random use of the social media policy of ABC
Proponents of dismissed ABC journalist Antoinette Lattouf have gathered outside the federal court
“I decided that if it was good enough for the ABC and BBC to find, it was good enough for my social media.”
When Mr Neil pointed out that both news organizations had also published the reaction of the Israeli government to the allegations for balance, Lattouf remained critical again.
“I would rely on the findings of Human Rights Watch, a renowned independent organization, then a country that is accused of doing these things and says,” No, I didn't do it. “
An important problem in the case is whether the ABC Lattouf has given a direction not to post anything on social media.
The public broadcaster defends the case and says that the freelance journalist was released after violating this direction, as well as the editorial policy of impartiality.
From the witness box Lattouf denied and said that Mrs. Green had given a suggestion that they subsequently discussed in their conversation.
She said she had pushed back against what she saw as a random use of ABC's social media policy.
“I have been a journalist long enough to know that it is a bit strange to choose which presenters can share facts on which topics,” said Lattouf.
She said she was in shock and tried to get clarity after her resignation, because the ABC did not tell her how she would have violated the policy.
Lattouf says she was unfairly fired because of her political opinion and race.
The hearing continues.
