MELBOURNE, 4 October, 2024: Australia’s top media union, the Media Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA) has supported ABC journalist Anushri Sood after her intense wordy duel with Leader of Opposition, Peter Dutton on pro Palestinian protest actions.
It has passed a motion on October 3, 2024 condemning ‘intimidation and bullying of journalists’, after ABC journalist Anushri Sood, reportedly asked Leader of Opposition Peter Dutton, as to what determined the Lebanon- based Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation.
There was a tense exchange between the two, when Anushri identified herself from the ABC, and said, ““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,” she said.(indaily.com.au)
Mr Dutton said, “I had presumed, up until this point at least, that 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 proscribing or the listing of a terrorist organisation,” he said. “Hezbollah under Australian law is a listed terrorist organisation.” (indaily.com.au)
The issue seems to have cropped up after some protesters in a Sydney rally used Hezbollah flags and later one was charged and bailed.
In its statement the MEAA said, “We stand with Anushri Sood and her ABC colleagues to condemn the intimidation and bullying of journalists.
We are appalled by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s behaviour and ABC management’s response.”
It added, ” 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.
It is a journalist’s right and duty to question how policies are made on issues impacting the Australian public and wider global community.
We support our members’ rights to hold power to account by asking honest and fair questions.
The ABC’s public silence on the intimidation of their journalist, a woman of colour, further perpetuates the racism an internal review issued on the same day highlighted.
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.”
