<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>338129</docID> <postdate>2025-02-12 14:26:15</postdate> <headline>Call ‘higher up’ led to ABC host’s Gaza post dismissal</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-337732" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250206160225986320-original-1-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" /></p> <caption>Antoinette Lattouf's supervisor on ABC radio said the call to dismiss her came from higher up. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Miklos Bolza</strong> in Sydney</span></p> <p><strong>The former supervisor of a fill-in ABC radio host did not see anything wrong with an anti-Israel social media post that led to the presenter's dismissal, adding that decision was made due to pressure from higher up.</strong></p> <p>Antoinette Lattouf was recruited to host the Mornings show on ABC Radio Sydney for five days from Monday to Friday in December 2023</p> <p>However, the 41-year-old was let go following three days on air after sharing an Instagram post by Human Rights Watch saying Israel used starvation as a "weapon of war" in Gaza.</p> <p>Her direct supervisor Elizabeth Green, now executive producer of ABC Radio's Sydney Drive show, took the witness box in Lattouf's unlawful dismissal case in the Federal Court on Wednesday.</p> <p>She said she learned from former head of capital city networks Steve Ahern during a meeting on December 20 that Lattouf would not be required for her final two shifts because of the Human Rights Watch post.</p> <p>"You also expressed the view that you did not see anything wrong with Ms Lattouf's post?" asked the journalist's barrister Philip Boncardo.</p> <p>"I did say that," Ms Green replied.</p> <p>After Lattouf was let go, Ms Green said she had a private conversation with the crying journalist in an ABC boardroom.</p> <p>She told Lattouf she tried hard to stop her being dismissed but believed the call had been made from "higher up".</p> <p>"I said there was pressure for her to be removed from the Monday," Ms Green told the court.</p> <p>"I understood it had been referred up because she asked if it was (Mr Ahern's) decision."</p> <p>Ms Green heard from Mr Ahern that the decision had been made from the office of now outgoing ABC managing director David Anderson.</p> <p>One of the key issues in the case is who made the decision to dismiss Lattouf, with fingers being pointed at both Mr Anderson and then-ABC content chief Chris Oliver-Taylor.</p> <p>Lattouf alleges she was fired because of her political opinion and race after the ABC bowed to pressure from pro-Israeli lobbyists co-ordinating a campaign of complaints.</p> <p>She is seeking compensation and penalties against the broadcaster.</p> <p>In its defence, the ABC says that Lattouf was taken off air because she breached a direction not to post anything in the Israel-Gaza conflict during her five-day employment.</p> <p>Ms Green said she had told the freelance journalist about the complaints during a phone call on December 18.</p> <p>She said she explicitly told Lattouf it would be best if she refrained from posting on anything relating to Israel or Palestine while she was working for the ABC.</p> <p>However, she also agreed the 41-year-old could post on topics which were fact-based or from verified sources or reputable organisations.</p> <p>The hearing continues.</p> <p>https://citynews.com.au/2025/deeply-regret-it-abc-sorry-for-lattouf-critics-error/</p> </body>