Former ABC presenter Antoinette Lattouf vows to fight unlawful termination case against broadcaster for ‘as long as it takes’

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Fair Work Commission has begun hearing a claim by the former ABC Radio casual presenter Antoinette Lattouf, that she was unlawfully dismissed by the broadcaster. Ms Lattouf says she was fired for posting a human rights watch video about the war in Gaza on her personal Instagram. The ABC claims Ms Lattouf breached its social media policy.

Transcript

00:00 Media commentator and journalist Antoinette Latouf was hired as an ABC Radio Sydney presenter

00:08 for five days last month.

00:10 But her employment was terminated on day three after being accused of breaching social media

00:16 policy.

00:17 She's taking it to the Fair Work Commission.

00:19 The fight continues and I'm willing and prepared to fight for as long as it takes.

00:25 Ms Latouf's claim says her manager called her on day one and told her Jewish lobbyists

00:30 were unhappy that she was on air.

00:33 She says they spoke about social media use and was told sharing content from reputable

00:38 organisations was fine.

00:40 Ms Latouf then shared this Human Rights Watch video on her personal Instagram with a caption

00:46 she wrote.

00:47 She was fired the next day and has asked the Fair Work Commission to find she was dismissed

00:52 because of her race.

00:53 It's not just about me, it's about free speech, it's about racism and crucially it's also

01:00 about a fair, independent and robust ABC.

01:05 The ABC's submission is that Ms Latouf's case is fundamentally and entirely misconceived.

01:11 The broadcaster has told the commission Ms Latouf failed or refused to comply with directions

01:17 that she not post on social media about matters of controversy.

01:21 It says her race was entirely irrelevant.

01:24 The ABC's claim confirms the organisation received complaints about Ms Latouf's perceived

01:30 bias on the war in Gaza.

01:32 Ms Latouf claims those letters influenced the ABC's decision to sack her.

01:38 Managing Director David Anderson denies that.

01:40 In a staff email, Mr Anderson said the ABC rejects any claim that it has been influenced

01:46 by any external pressure, whether it be an advocacy or lobby group.

01:51 Ms Latouf is seeking compensation for damages to her reputation and for the broadcaster

01:56 to pay a penalty.

01:57 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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