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A former ABC presenter sacked over a social media post about the war in Gaza has claimed she was “thrown under the bus” by the public broadcaster.
Antoinette Lattouf claims she was targeted by an “orchestrated attack” after she was dismissed in December just three days into a week-long hosting gig on Radio Sydney’s morning show.
She was let go after sharing a social media post about the conflict in Gaza, with ABC management telling her she was not allowed to post about controversial issues while in the presenter position.
Ms Lattouf said she was surprised that her sacking had triggered protests.
“I was floored, not only [by] how I was fired but how quickly things escalated because one minute I was taking talkback callers … the next, I’m thrown under the bus in a very public way,” she said in a BBC interview.
Reports this week have revealed that a group called Lawyers for Israel campaigned for Ms Lattouf to be ousted from the position, urging members to flood the ABC’s complaints from taking issue with the presenter.
Ms Lattouf said she had “no beef” with those wanting to lobby but took issue with the access the group appears to have gained.
“What I have real concerns with is when a lobby group seems to have a direct channel, [and] access to, very senior people, in this case, the chair of the board at the ABC, and can influence an outcome so rapidly,” she said.
“Our public broadcaster, just like the BBC, is supposed to be independent and impartial, and when it appears that it is not, this becomes a really big political and free speech issue in Australia.
“This was a really orchestrated attack to not only target me and ruin my reputation, but to send a bit of a warning shot to other journalists: criticise Israel, use your voice in the public domain, and there will be consequences.”
The ABC has denied any accusations that it bowed to external pressure when sacking Ms Lattouf, with managing director David Anderson issuing a statement to all staff defending the decision.
“The ABC rejects any claim that it has been influenced by any external pressure, whether it be an advocacy or lobby group, a political party, or commercial entity,” the statement said.
It comes as hundreds of people have flooded the courtyard of Melbourne’s State Library for another week of pro-Palestine protests.
Sunday’s rally renewed calls for a ceasefire in the bloody conflict between Israel and Palestine as well as showing support for Ms Lattouf.
Ms Lattouf has launched legal proceedings against the ABC over the sacking, claiming she was discriminated against because of her Lebanese heritage and her political expression, allegations the broadcaster has denied.
Speaking in support of Ms Lattouf at the Melbourne rally was controversial feminist writer Clementine Ford, whose own podcast was axed over her support for Palestine.
“Proud to stand and speak beside so many staunch activists calling for a #freePalestine,” Ms Ford said on social media.
The State Library protest comes after a woman was arrested and pepper sprayed when protesters clashed at police in Port Melbourne.
Up to 85 protesters gathered outside Webb Dock Drive on Friday afternoon in a bid to block workers from an Israeli container ship from unloading cargo.
Police arrested a 32-year-old woman about 8am Saturday after police told attendees to leave the premises, claiming some became “aggressive” and “unruly”.
“Police were forced to deploy OC spray toward several protesters and one female was arrested for spitting at police,” a Victoria police spokesperson said.
The Yarraville woman was later charged with assault and is due to appear in court at a later date.
Victoria Police said no one was harmed during the arrest and confirmed the protesters remained at the dock as of Sunday morning.
No incidents of note have occurred at the State Library protest.
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