ABC’s Melbourne Office Vandalized Amid Controversy Over Israel-Hamas Coverage
The incident adds to a series of events where media organisations have become targets.
ABC Melbourne Office Vandalized
The ABC’s Melbourne office has been vandalized with red paint amid contention about coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Overnight, the main window of the national broadcaster’s office in Southbank, Melbourne, was marked with the words, “Tell the truth about Palestine,” in white paint. Police have opened an investigation into the “criminal damage incident.” According to a Victoria Police spokeswoman, officers were called to reports of unknown offenders spray painting sections of the building on Southbank Boulevard at around 3:50 am. Fortunately, there were no injuries from the incident, as confirmed by an ABC spokesman.
Protests and Activism
In an earlier protest on December 20, 40 portraits of Palestinian journalists who lost their lives in the conflict were placed on the doors and windows of the ABC office. At the same time, activists blocked the entrance to Nine’s television and newspaper masthead offices. Free Palestine Melbourne said they blocked The Age headquarters entrance in Docklands wearing press vests and helmets to “protest the Australian media silence on journalist deaths in Gaza.” The group called for an end to censorship, bias, and conflicts of interest in Australian media reporting on Palestine.
Global Impact
Similar incidents around the world have occurred following Hamas militants’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,200 deaths and up to 200 people taken hostage. In response, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have led to approximately 20,000 deaths, according to the UN.
ABC Presenter Faces Legal Action
Meanwhile, ABC Sydney’s breakfast radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf is considering legal action after being sacked for sharing pro-Palestinian content on her social media account on December 20. Ms. Lattouf raised questions about allegations that pro-Palestine protesters chanted “gas the Jews” at a rally near the Sydney Opera House. A Jewish woman expressed her concerns to ABC Managing Director David Anderson, claiming that Ms. Lattouf demonstrated bias by disputing the authenticity of the chants. Ms. Lattouf stated that she believes she was terminated unlawfully and that the decision is not a win for journalism or critical, fair thinking.
Henry Jom contributed to this article.
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