Australia's antisemitism envoy proposes external ombudsman to oversee ABC and SBS Middle East coverage

Australia's federal special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, released an updated action plan on Friday that recommends an "external independent ombudsman" to monitor coverage of the war in Gaza by the public broadcasters ABC and SBS. The plan also proposes codes for arts organisations to limit artists' "personal political or ideological activism". The document matters because its measures could affect the media, cultural and higher-education sectors.

Proposals for the media

Segal writes that concerns about subjective, inaccurate and disproportionate reporting are widespread enough to justify more detailed analysis and independent review. She suggests a government-appointed panel review past reporting, and that the government consider transferring powers from the existing ABC and SBS ombudsmen to an external body, in the manner of the telecommunications and banking sectors.

The envoy says parts of the Jewish community see coverage as one-directional and fear it may foster hostility toward supporters of Israel. Her initial plan, published in mid-2025, spoke of working with the broadcasters on programs that support social cohesion. This year she told the royal commission into antisemitism that she wanted an oversight committee able to give coverage a "tick" or "guidance". The broadcasters rejected external oversight. The royal commission was set up after the Bondi beach massacre in December, when 15 people were killed at a Hanukah celebration.

Arts and universities

The plan says publicly funded arts bodies should be able to impose enforceable conditions on artists and end grants if they promote antisemitism. Similarly, grant authorities could terminate funding for academics who engage in antisemitic speech or conduct. Segal stresses the proposals are not about silencing criticism of Israel.

Criticism

The progressive Jewish Council of Australia called the plan "Trumpian" and a threat to freedom of speech and academic freedom. Segal had earlier defended, at Senate estimates, her royal commission evidence criticising SBS for citing Gaza Ministry of Health death tolls. A UN spokesperson said independent validation had found no significant discrepancies in those figures.