The responses to the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi beach could lead to constraints on the independence of the ABC, if the government attempts to implement all of the recommendations of the Segal report or overreacts to the (real) threats of terrorist attacks.
The responses to the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi beach could lead to constraints on the independence of the ABC, if the government attempts to implement all of the recommendations of the Segal report or overreacts to the (real) threats of terrorist attacks.
The Segal report recommends that the ABC (and universities and arts organisations) should be financially punished if they “engage in or facilitate antisemitism”. Unfortunately Segal’s definition of antisemitism covers a broad range of commentary, including criticism of the state of Israel. If implemented in full her recommendations would effectively punish the ABC for being impartial when it comes to reporting on, for example, the Herzog visit or what is happening in Gaza (still). If the ABC succumbed to that pressure it would undermine its most important asset, its independence.
We now have anti-hate speech laws which attempt to find a balance between freedom of speech and constraint of incitement to violence. The rushed legislation could lead to overreach and the ABC being pushed to temper its impartial coverage of news and public debate, including hate speech. The most recent 4 Corners program carefully exposed the threat of terrorism in Australia – we need to see and hear objective calm reporting on these issues and only the independent ABC will do it.
The ABC has plenty of monitors, including regulatory authorities, the ABC Ombudsman, Parliament, and its own Media Watch. Not to mention the over 85,000 supporters of ABC Friends, many of whom are very quick to pick up any form of bias or racism. Also, many lobby groups try to influence what the ABC does, including organisations supported by, and in disagreement with, Segal.
It would be a travesty if the implementation of the new hate speech legislation and the Segal recommendations had the effect of constraining civil liberties and curtailing the ABC’s attempts at fearless objectivity. We need all the calm accurate reporting of complex issues we can get. And we need all the social cohesion we can get at the moment, not divisive and counterproductive overreach.
If you would like to sign a petition calling for stronger safeguards to protect the ABC against political interference, and not being punished for reporting the truth, you can do so here.