The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) National Media Section committee has passed a unanimous motion in support of Anushri Sood and her ABC colleagues, condemning the intimidation and bullying of journalists.
This statement comes after a heated exchange between Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Sood, an Indian-origin ABC journalist, during a press conference on Tuesday.
The incident, which has sparked fresh controversy around the national broadcaster, revolved around Hezbollah’s designation as a terrorist organisation and the potential criminalisation of its supporters.
Dutton, addressing the media after protests in Sydney and Melbourne, condemned the demonstrators for displaying Hezbollah flags and called for stronger legislation to criminalise such displays. When Sood asked why Israeli flags were not similarly banned, considering the deaths attributed to the Israeli government, Dutton defended Israel as a democracy, stating Hezbollah was a terrorist organisation.
Sood further questioned the criteria for designating groups as terrorist organisations, prompting Dutton to express disbelief at the ABC’s perceived stance.
“Hezbollah, under Australian law, is a listed terrorist organisation. Now if the ABC doesn’t support that, they should be very clear about it,” Dutton remarked, criticising the broadcaster for allegedly questioning government policy.
MEAA expressed outrage at both Dutton’s comments and the ABC’s response, accusing the broadcaster of failing to protect its journalist and uphold its recent commitment to support staff of colour.
The committee’s motion read:
“We are appalled by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s behaviour and ABC management’s response. Following its new commitment to protect staff of colour, the ABC failed to show the leadership and values needed to be a robust defender of truth.”
The MEAA highlighted that it is a journalist’s right and duty to question policies affecting the Australian public and global community, calling the ABC’s silence on the intimidation of Sood a perpetuation of the racism exposed by an internal review issued the same day.
“This is a watershed moment for the national broadcaster, and Australia’s leaders, to recognise the role diverse media plays in the pursuit of transparency, truth, and fairness,” the MEAA stated.
Following the incident, the ABC issued a statement distancing itself from Sood’s questioning, clarifying that Hezbollah is recognised as a terrorist organisation by the Australian Government, and the ABC acknowledges that in its coverage.
HERE’S PETER DUTTON AND ABC JOURNALIST’S Q&A IN FULL:
Reporter: With Hezbollah, you’re saying being responsible for the deaths of women and children, groups have commented on the hypocrisy of that situation because there are no bans currently on Israeli flags being raised, despite 45,000 people dying at the hands of the Israeli government.
Dutton: Israel is a democracy. It’s not run by a terrorist organisation. Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation, they’re a listed terrorist organisation and if people are in favour of a terrorist organisation they should declare it and authorities can deal with them.
Reporter: And if not the number of deaths, what determines…. What determines the fact that Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation even though-?
Dutton: Where are you from, I’m sorry? Which organisation?
Reporter: Um, ABC.
Dutton: ABC. So what’s the question from the ABC just to be very clear?
Reporter: I just wanted to find out because groups have commented…
Dutton: No, no. But you asked about the listing of the organisation. I just didn’t understand that question I’m sorry.
Reporter: Ah, yep. So, ah.
Dutton: This is a question from Canberra is it? You’re reading it from a phone?
Reporter: Ah, no. So ah. Just wanted to ask in terms of, ah, looking into that for the investigation, you’ve asked the Prime Minister and the minister (Tony Burke) to direct the AFP in its investigation.
Dutton: No. That wasn’t the question you asked. What was the question you asked?
Reporter: I just wanted to understand.
Dutton: No, you asked a question about the listing so just ask that question again.
Reporter: So if you could sort of explain what determines something as a terrorist organisation?
Dutton: Well I had presumed up until this point at least the ABC supported the government’s laws. And the government has passed laws, supported on a bipartisan basis, but not by the ABC it seems, in relation to the prescribing or the listing of a terrorist organisation. Hezbollah under Australian law is a listed terrorist organisation. Now if the ABC doesn’t support that they should be very clear about it because I think that’s quite a departure.
Reporter: That’s not what I’m …
Dutton: But you asked me why the country has listed Hezbollah. They’re a terrorist organisation. They’re organise terrorist attacks and if that is not clear to the ABC, then I think the ABC is in greater trouble than even I first imagined.
Reporter: That wasn’t my question
Support Our Journalism
Global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon and support honest and fearless journalism. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/TheAusToday