(The Age, 21/12/2023)
A radio presenter who was axed from ABC Radio on Wednesday afternoon is “considering her legal options” after she was terminated over her social media posts about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Journalist Antoinette Lattouf was filling in for Mornings host Sarah Macdonald who is on leave, but was sacked and told not to return to work on Thursday.
An ABC spokesman said Lattouf was employed on a short-term contract.
“ABC Sydney casual presenter Antoinette Lattouf will not be back on air for her remaining two shifts this week,” he said on Wednesday evening.
In a statement posted to her social media on Wednesday night, Latouff said she was “disappointed” by the ABC’s decision. “I believe I was terminated unlawfully,” she said.
“This is not a win for journalism or critical, fair thinking.
“I am currently considering my legal options.”
It is unclear whether it was an individual post or a series of posts that led to the axing.
Lattouf has used both TikTok and Instagram to criticise the Israeli military and government.
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Last week, she wrote a statement on Instagram stating the Israeli military was “one that is driven by blood-thirsty, extremist men who want to justify the ongoing annihilation of Palestinians”.
She was also one of more than 100 journalists, including some from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, who signed an open letter calling for greater scrutiny on the reporting of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
After signing the letter, she wrote on Instagram: “If someone doesn’t want to work with me because I defend press freedom, responsible and fair journalism that doesn’t bow to political intimidation and lobby groups. Oh, and coz I also don’t want more kids to get bombed – well f— them.”
According to her website, Lattouf has held reporting and presenting roles at Network 10, SBS, ABC and Triple J. She has also written columns for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.