Australian Journalist Secures Victory in Unfair Dismissal Case Over Gaza Commentary**

Antoinette Lattouf has won her case against the ABC following her dismissal over a critical social media post regarding the Gaza conflict, with the court confirming her sacking was unjust and awarded her damages.**

A court ruling has favored Australian journalist Antoinette Lattouf in her unfair dismissal case against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), where she contended her firing was related to her political views regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The incident transpired in December 2023, when Lattouf’s five-day contract as a fill-in presenter was abruptly truncated.

The turmoil commenced when Lattouf shared a social media post from Human Rights Watch (HRW) that criticized Israel, which the ABC argued violated its editorial guidelines. Following the post, Lattouf asserted that her termination stemmed from undue external pressure, notably from pro-Israel advocates, and alleged discrimination based on her racial background.

Justice Darryl Rangiah presided over the case and determined the ABC's action was indeed a dismissal based on Lattouf’s views on the military operations in Gaza. However, he dismissed accusations of racial discrimination against her. The court awarded Lattouf damages amounting to A$70,000 (£33,400, $45,400) but suggested further discussions regarding additional penalties would occur.

Lattouf, who is of Lebanese descent, has established her stature not only as a media figure in Australia but also as an active voice against racism and discrimination. According to her, the aftermath of her dismissal wrought significant damage to her reputation, heavily influencing her public image and career.

Prior to her job commencement, Lattouf had agreed to adhere to social media restrictions set by the ABC. Nonetheless, she claimed that her superior clarified she could disseminate information from credible sources. On the second day of her stint, she shared HRW’s allegations that Israel was employing starvation in its military strategy—a claim Israel has denied. Shortly after her broadcast, she was informed she would no longer be required to continue her role.

In court proceedings, evidence suggested there was pre-existing pressure on the ABC regarding Lattouf's appointment, implying that her dismissal was politically motivated rather than an operational decision. Lattouf's manager indicated that complaints originating from "higher up" were being circulated before her HRW post, with previous ABC chair Ita Buttrose forwarding numerous discontented emails to upper management.

ABC’s legal representative maintained that Lattouf wasn’t technically "fired," asserting her removal was a preemptive measure to safeguard the organization’s reputation rather than a punitive action against her.

This ruling has not only reignited debates concerning journalistic freedom and workplace policies in public broadcasting but has also highlighted the intricate balance between individual expression and organizational image in the media landscape.