Dear Mr Williams, In June 2024, on assuming the chair of the ABC, you expressed a desire to see the organisation develop a clearer sense of purpose aligned with its charter and, having gained clarity about its purpose, it should seek to understand how that purpose can be embodied in its offerings.
‘A starting point must be a greater understanding of the wants and behaviours of our audiences, and some tough assessments about whether the ABC is fulfilling its audiences’ needs, interests and aspirations’.
The ABC, you said, should be open to, and responsive to, criticism. It must have a strong accountability framework that requires it to do better. Recent program changes reflecting your views are welcomed by many listeners. Australians of my generation and yours have relied on the ABC all our lives for accurate news, interesting views, and cultural stimulation. We all preferred the ABC because it was not subject to commercial or political pressure.
The number of ABC reporters abroad has dwindled, no doubt as a result of funding constraints, political and commercial pressures. Coverage of sport lost out years ago for the same reasons. The number of journalists with experience in Asia and the Middle East has also shrunk, with the result that ABC political and economic coverage often looks and sounds more like the BBC. Less in-depth analysis is available than in the past of the events in our region that are of great importance to Australia.
You now have the opportunity to redeem the reputation of the ABC as a broadcaster and telecaster on international affairs.
At a time when the leadership of our US ally is erratic — to put it mildly — Australia has failed to join 79 signatories (including the UK) condemning President Donald Trump’s executive order of sanctions on the International Criminal Court. We learned about this first from the BBC (8 February 2025). Who on ABC challenged the prime minister to explain how being off the list fits with Australia’s regard for international laws and norms? The people interviewed by Sally Sara (who knows the Middle East well), Geraldine Doogue, and Hamish McDonald have not been asked such questions.
When President Trump repeatedly declared his intention to expel the Palestinians from Gaza, flatten their land, and rebuild it as a Riviera of the Middle East, the prime minister was not asked by the ABC if he shared the outrage expressed by UN officials and leaders of many other countries, as well as many Australians, and if not, why not. Having declined to provide a “running commentary” on Trump’s statements, Albanese has made no comment at all and has been allowed to get away with it.
Where is the voice of Professor Ben Saul, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism? When will we hear from Professor Hilary Charlesworth, a judge of the ICC? They could provide an Australian “hook”, and be asked if Australia endorses Article 2.4 of the UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions relating to victims of war and occupied territory. If Australia does so, the ABC might ask why the government does not state this unequivocally and act accordingly.
Interviewees might be asked if it is immoral and illegal to take other people’s land without their consent. That would, of course, open the same can of worms as the Voice did. Australia acted against apartheid in South Africa, but has not acted against Israel’s practice in the Palestinian territories. Australia was quick to impose sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, but continues to sell weapons to Israel after its invasion and ethnic cleansing of Gaza and during its similar operations in progress in the West Bank.
John Lyons, the ABC’s best remaining expert on the Middle East, recently referred to the Israeli military being ordered to “prepare a plan to remove Palestinians from Gaza”, an evasive phrase repeated as a headline on ABC news. The tone of Sally Sara’s interviews with him and with Francesca Albanese and Mustafa Barghouti gives the impression that she (and the ABC?) favour this benign description of Israel’s intentions. This may represent “balance” on the ABC’s part, but that would be better achieved if the number of Palestinian interviewees at least equalled the pro-Israeli talent.
More ABC airtime is given to people who complain about the condition of released Jewish hostages than to those who have evidence that emaciated Palestinian prisoners have been starved and tortured in Israel’s prisons. Dr Richard Bean of Monash University released statistical analysis in December 2024 showing that on ABC’s flagship programs, Israeli guests were featured more than twice as often as Palestinian guests over the past 14 months. Further, he found that guests supporting Israel were almost universally permitted to make “lurid and unverified claims without being challenged” in contrast to the Palestinian guests. The Arab Council of Australia goes further, and accuses the ABC of “active erasure of Arab people from public narrative”.
You were not chair when the ABC suspended Antoinette Lattouf because of her social media posts about the “illegal occupation of Palestine” by the Israel Defence Force. The posts have been said to represent “antisemitic hatred”. She is now defending herself before the Federal Court for unfair dismissal after forwarding a factual statement, confirmed by the International Court of Justice, that Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the West Bank Territory is illegal.
Why are you not defending Ms Lattouf’s right to forward such a statement of fact? On the contrary, what other statements in support of Israel forwarded by other ABC staff have not seen them suspended or in court? Your answer, of course, will be constrained by the court proceedings now under way, but it might take into account your reported view that her sacking was unacceptable (SMH 7 February 2025: 12). It might also enlighten ABC listeners and viewers who cherish the ABC’s ‘independence’ about whether it still exists.
Yours sincerely
Alison Broinowski
Dr Alison Broinowski AM is a former Australian diplomat and a member of Australians fr War Powers Reform