Antoinette Lattouf: Sacked ABC presenter alleges unlawful termination in Fair Work Commission application
Recently sacked ABC presenter Antoinette Lattouf has claimed she was unlawfully dismissed in an application filed with the Fair Work Commission.
The mother-of-two said she was 'disappointed' after she was suddenly let go on Wednesday afternoon.
She had this week filled in for Sarah Macdonald as presenter of the ABC Sydney Mornings radio programme, but was told on Wednesday that she was no longer needed for her shifts on Thursday and Friday.
It is understood she was fired after sharing at least one post about the Middle East conflict, which breached the ABC's social media policy.
Ms Lattouf submitted an application to the FWC on Friday afternoon.
Recently sacked ABC presenter Antoinette Lattouf has claimed she was unlawfully dismissed in an application filed with the Fair Work Commission
The submission claims she was fired after sharing a Human Rights Watch Instagram post that violated the broadcaster's policies. Sydney Morning Herald reported.
It also claims ABC chief executive David Anderson made the decision to fire Ms Lattouf.
The ABC declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
Her wrongful dismissal claim could become a landmark amid rising tensions in the Australian media over how to cover the Israel-Gaza war.
Late on Wednesday evening, Ms Lattouf posted on Instagram that she was “very disappointed by the ABC's decision today”.
“I believe I was wrongfully dismissed,” she said.
Ms Lattouf has made a number of social media posts on various platforms since October 7 criticizing the Israeli government.
Late Wednesday evening, Lattouf posted on Instagram that she was “very disappointed by today's ABC decision. The message is displayed
“This is not a victory for journalism or critical, honest thinking. I am currently considering my legal options.'
The ABC has a strict editorial policy, requiring staff to be impartial in their reporting and to protect the broadcaster's reputation.
“An ill-considered post or tweet could immediately jeopardize this perception of impartiality,” the ABC rules say.
It is understood Ms Lattouf was suspended following a series of complaints from the Jewish community over anti-Israel posts she shared.
a GoFundMe has since been set up by Ms Lattouf's supporters to help fund her legal costs.
“We stand with Antoinette and support the rights of employees to share news that expresses an opinion or reinforces a fact without fear of retaliation,” said the fundraiser, which has raised more than $5,000 in donations.
“We must help her fight this decision and we must fight for the right of all of us to share what is happening around the world without fear of professional reprimand.
'Searching and speaking the truth, and sharing that truth with others, should never be a punishable offense. It is a freedom and a right that we must all defend.”
Ms Lattouf recently co-authored an article questioning the veracity of viral footage showing pro-Palestinian activists chanting “gas the Jews” during an October protest at the Sydney Opera House.
“Analysis of the Aust Jewish Association videos by fact-checker RMIT CrossCheck found a number of clues suggesting the audio was edited…,” she claimed.
In another post from November, Lattouf wrote: “We need a PERMANENT ceasefire and must address the ROOT of the problem: the unlawful occupation of Palestine.”
In a video posted to Instagram in October, Lattouf attempted to analyze the conflict between Israel and Palestine, calling both Hamas and the Israeli government “extremists.”
She called for mourning all civilian lives lost in the conflict and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Semitic rhetoric, but added: “You can and must end the illegal military occupation of Palestine that has lasted 75 years.” takes place, condemn.
“You cannot and should not forget that human rights organizations internationally and in Israel have called the occupation 'apartheid,'” she said.
“You can and must speak out against the occupation of Palestine, because that is the root of it all.”
Ms Lattouf claims ABC chief executive David Anderson (pictured) made the decision to fire her