Star ABC reporter who quit over the public broadcaster’s Israel-Hamas conflict coverage reveals her new job

A high-profile political journalist from ABC’s Parliament House bureau has revealed her new job after resigning over the public broadcaster’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Nour Haydar, who joined the ABC as a cadet in 2017 before progressing to political reporter in Canberra in 2019, has played a prominent role on the broadcaster’s online, radio and TV channels – even hosting Afternoon Briefing and appeared on its flagship breakfast TV. program.

She told Nine Entertainment on Friday that the decision followed investigations by ABC staff into reporting of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, along with the treatment of culturally diverse staff.

Just hours after her resignation was made public, The Guardian Australia announced she would be joining the left-wing media group as part of the Full Story podcast team.

“I’m excited to join the Guardian Australia team and embrace a different kind of storytelling,” Haydar said.

“I look forward to creating high-quality and compelling interviews, stories and investigations for Full Story listeners that reflect the diversity of Australia.

“Now more than ever, there is a need for rigorous, nuanced and courageous journalism – and Full Story provides a unique platform for this.”

Ms Haydar (pictured) said the decision to resign was partly driven by the national broadcaster’s handling of ‘culturally diverse staff’

She will co-host the daily podcast with Jane Lee, replacing Laura Murphy-Oates, who was chosen for an Atlantic Fellowship for Indigenous Social Equity.

Ms Haydar, 35, of Lebanese descent, resigned from her post at the parliament office on Thursday.

‘I have resigned from the ABC. This was not a decision I made lightly, but one I made with complete clarity,” she said.

‘The commitment to diversity in the media should not be superficial. Culturally diverse staff should be respected and supported, even if they challenge the status quo.

“Death and destruction on the scale we have seen in recent months has made me reassess my priorities.”

In a statement on Friday, an ABC spokesperson described the Israel-Gaza conflict as “a difficult story to tell.”

Ms Haydar joined the ABC as a cadet in 2017 before rising through the ranks as a political reporter in Canberra in 2019

“ABC News’ workforce and journalism are the most representative they’ve ever been, and we continue to make progress. Including a range of voices and perspectives makes our journalism better and more accurate,” the spokesperson said.

“The Israel-Gaza conflict is a complex and difficult story to tell, and we understand and care about the specific personal and professional challenges it poses for journalists.

‘The ABC is committed to accuracy, impartiality and fairness in our reporting on Israel and Gaza, as in all our reporting.

“The ABC continually strives to support and champion ABC employees and their work, both internally and externally.”

The move follows a difficult week for the national broadcaster after sacked radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf accused the ABC on Thursday of racism and discriminating against people of colour.

Ms Lattouf (pictured) claims she was fired by the ABC for expressing a political opinion and also because of her race

Ms Lattouf, who was dismissed from her role in December, has since filed an unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

The broadcaster has faced internal criticism after staff raised concerns about the state of the ABC’s ‘pro-Israel’ reporting on the conflict between Israel and Hamas since October 7 last year.

At a meeting in November, initiated by policy manager Mark Maley, staff raised issues surrounding the broadcaster’s refusal to use phrases such as “invasion” and “occupation” during their reporting.

Others said the reporting had had an impact on their relationships with communities and their ability to do their work.

Ms Lattouf, an award-winning journalist who worked as a substitute for Sydney’s Mornings radio slot and ABC Sydney in December, is represented by decorated workplace lawyer Josh Bornstein in her claim against the broadcaster.

Ms Haydar’s move comes after ABC stand-in Antoinette Lattouf (pictured) was dropped from her stand-in role last year, reportedly over a series of social media posts she made

Her claim has been amended to state that she was fired on December 20 “because she expressed a political opinion and also because of her race.”

‘Ms Lattouf was called into a meeting with senior management and told she was being fired immediately for reposting a social media post from Human Rights Watch (HRW) claiming that the Israeli government is using famine as a weapon of war in Gaza,” a statement said. of Maurice Blackburn’s lawyers claims.

ABC News also reported the same claims from the renowned human rights organization.

“Since October 7 and the ensuing conflict in the Middle East, the media industry has become notorious for intimidating, censoring and firing Arab and Muslim journalists.”