Jillian Segal, Australia’s Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, has suggested the formation of an independent oversight committee to assess the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) adherence to its charter responsibilities. This recommendation comes during her testimony at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
The inquiry has revealed that multiple complaints have been lodged concerning the ABC and the Special Broadcasting Service’s (SBS) reporting on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Segal, while addressing the commission, stated that members of the Jewish community have expressed concerns that the nature and volume of the coverage related to the Israel-Gaza conflict have fostered a negative perception of Israel.
Segal articulated that there exists a widespread sentiment within the Australian Jewish community, which has been conveyed to her on numerous occasions, that the public broadcasters’ portrayal of Israel’s actions following the October 7, 2023, attacks was imbalanced, overly emphasized compared to other global issues, and disproportionately highlighted anti-Israel viewpoints.
During her testimony, Counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC pointed out the difficulty in verifying such community sentiments due to their broad and subjective nature. In response, Segal noted that the ABC’s complaints management system, which is overseen by the ABC ombudsman, could serve as a mechanism to evaluate these concerns. However, she criticized the system’s effectiveness and advocated for the establishment of an independent oversight body to enhance accountability.
She expressed her doubts about the current system, stating, “It is concerning that the ABC can act as its own judge, counsel, and jury regarding its standards and reporting.” Segal proposed the reinstatement of an external ombudsman, akin to those in other industries, to ensure transparency and impartiality in the broadcaster’s operations.
In a discussion with Mr. Lancaster, Segal acknowledged the ABC ombudsman’s role in prompting editorial policy changes related to Middle East coverage, but emphasized the need for independent oversight. She remarked, “Most essential structures in our society benefit from external complaints management, which is regarded as the gold standard.” Segal highlighted the critical importance of media integrity and the necessity for it to be above reproach.
Furthermore, Segal conveyed that the Jewish community has voiced dissatisfaction with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), describing it as a well-intentioned entity that lacks enforcement power. She asserted that the coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict by the ABC and SBS has intensified antisemitism in Australia by conflating Jewish identity with the actions of the State of Israel.
Mr. Lancaster mentioned that ACMA had not identified any violations by the ABC or SBS regarding their coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict since October 2023. However, Segal contested this assertion, noting, “While ACMA may not have found significant inaccuracies, the more intricate issues of prioritization, impartiality, objectivity, and balance remain my primary concerns.”
Gavin Fang, the ABC’s editorial director, and Fiona Cameron, the ombudsman, are scheduled to appear before the commission on Thursday, followed by key representatives from SBS.
In response to the ongoing inquiry, the ABC released a statement rejecting allegations that its journalism has contributed to antisemitism or societal division. Likewise, SBS emphasized its commitment to accurately and respectfully representing Jewish Australian narratives. They also submitted a 39-page document to the commission, recommending that the inquiry refrain from implementing governance changes that could undermine editorial independence or reduce public trust.
Last week, Mr. Lancaster noted that numerous individuals and groups have expressed dissatisfaction with the public broadcasters’ coverage of the Middle East conflict, citing concerns about inaccuracies and lack of balance in their reporting.
