Senior figures from the ABC and SBS are fronting the Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion today, where they’ll be questioned over how Australia’s public broadcasters have handled coverage of the war in the Middle East and rising anti-Jewish hate at home.
Editorial leaders from both networks have been called to the Sydney hearing, including ABC editorial director Gavin Fang and ombudsman Fiona Cameron, alongside SBS director of news and current affairs Amanda Wicks, director of audio and language content David Thanh Man Tue Hua, and ombudsman Amy Stockwell.
Counsel assisting the commission, Richard Lancaster SC, has previously told the inquiry there were complaints that “the ABC and the SBS have produced coverage that is inaccurate or unbalanced, both in their selection of stories and focus and in the reportage that they produce”.
The ABC is pushing back firmly on suggestions its journalism has fuelled antisemitism or social division. In a detailed statement, it said it “rejects claims that its journalism has contributed to antisemitism or social division” and argued its reporting “has been evidence-based, fair, impartial and consistent with its Charter obligations”.
The broadcaster pointed to its Code of Practice, editorial policies, standards editors, and complaints oversight by the ABC Ombudsman and the Australian Communications and Media Authority, and noted that no complaints of bias about ABC News’ Middle East coverage have been upheld by the ombudsman. It also said its coverage of antisemitism and the Bondi Beach terror attack has “consistently centred on the experiences of Jewish Australians” while providing broader social and political context.
SBS has put out a statement ahead of the hearing that leans heavily on its multicultural charter and remit. “SBS unequivocally condemns antisemitism and affirms the right of Jewish Australians to live with safety, dignity and a true sense of belonging,” it said, stressing the importance of trusted public service media in strengthening social cohesion.
The broadcaster pointed to multilingual explainers on antisemitism and misinformation, documentaries about Jewish Australian experiences, extensive reporting on the Bondi attack, the Dateline episode “Inside Israel: A Nation at War”, and ongoing coverage from SBS Hebrew as examples of how it represents Jewish stories and perspectives. It said its journalism is supported by “strong editorial standards, independent complaints processes, and ongoing engagement with communities across Australia”, and that it is assisting the commission in its work.
Outside the inquiry, protesters are expected to rally against what they describe as a lack of anti-Zionist and anti-Israel voices. In a media statement, organisers called the commission part of a “shameful” attempt by state and federal leaders, along with pro-Israel activists, to silence “legitimate criticism of Israel”.
Jepke Goudsmit from Jews Against the Occupation ’48 said: “If this Royal Commission turns out to be a Zionist pro-Israel tool, it will be another deep stain on our country’s history of racism,” per AAP.
Thursday’s session will open with a return appearance from Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, before turning back to the broadcast executives.
Previous hearings have focused on social platforms including Meta, TikTok and YouTube, and how they moderate antisemitic content and coded language online. With the ABC and SBS now in the spotlight, the commission is stepping deeper into contested territory over who defines “balanced” coverage of the Middle East, and how to protect communities from harm while preserving space for difficult, sometimes confronting reporting.
Lead image: Getty
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