The ABC’s shock decision to employ as a podcast host Grace Tame, who described corroborated reports of Hamas’ sexual violence against Israeli women as ‘propaganda’ which had been ‘debunked’ and led a pro-Palestine rally chanting ‘globalise the intifada’, is untenable.
How can Australians be expected to trust the ABC when it hires a high-profile activist who spread false information about the barbaric October 7 terrorist attacks and engaged in conduct which promotes hostility towards Jewish people?
The ABC’s managing director and editor-in-chief, Hugh Marks, must explain how this decision is consistent with the ABC’s editorial standards and statutory obligation to disseminate news and information impartially and accurately.
At a time when antisemitism is at record levels in Australia, the national broadcaster should be exercising the highest standards of judgement, not rewarding individuals who have undermined social cohesion and spread false information about one of the worst terrorist atrocities in modern history.
This decision is deeply offensive to Jewish Australians and does nothing to negate the perception that the ABC provides a safe haven for anti-Israel activists.
Australians are entitled to know whether the ABC conducted any assessment of Ms Tame’s public statements and activism before offering her this role, and whether it considered the impact this appointment would have on public confidence and trust in the broadcaster.
Mr Marks should also disclose what, if any, restrictions have been placed on Ms Tame to ensure she refrains from using this podcast as a platform for anti-Israel activism or does not otherwise engage in conduct which brings the ABC into disrepute.
Given the ongoing public debate as to whether the ABC is meeting community expectations in identifying, addressing, and preventing antisemitism in all its forms, this incident further evidences the need for the ABC to be called before the Royal Commission into antisemitism as the Coalition has advocated.