Segal calls for independent committee to oversee ABC and SBS Israel coverage
Australia's antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal proposed a new oversight committee to vet the ABC and SBS's Israel coverage, citing a widespread perception of imbalance in the Jewish community.
Speaking before the royal commission on Thursday, Australia's antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal called for the establishment of an independent oversight committee to monitor the ABC and SBS's coverage of Israel. She argued there is a "common and pervasive perception" in the Jewish community that the public broadcasters' reporting on the Middle East war lacks balance, overemphasizes Gaza compared to other conflicts, and gives disproportionate voice to anti-Israel perspectives.
Segal suggested that a committee outside the organizations could provide a "tick" or "guidance" to broadcasters, citing the UK media watchdog Ofcom as a model. However, Ofcom's new powers for online content are limited to issuing opinions without enforcement.
ABC editorial director Gavin Fang disagreed with the claim of disproportionate coverage. He stated that the ABC adheres to editorial policies ensuring impartiality, accuracy, and fairness. Fang noted that the existing ombudsman, along with the board and ACMA, already provides oversight, and he questioned how an additional body would function.
An ABC statement revealed that between July and December 2025, 51% of complaints about Middle East coverage claimed it was broadly pro-Palestinian, while 47% said it was pro-Israel. The broadcaster argued this indicates perceptions of bias stem from strongly held community views rather than systematic editorial favoritism.
Segal pointed to a specific error in an ABC report that claimed "14,000 babies will die in the next 48 hours" in Gaza, which was based on a misinterpretation of a UN statement. The BBC had corrected the story before ABC aired it, but ABC corrected later. Fang called it a "bad mistake" and defended the broadcaster's correction policy.
Commissioner Virginia Bell questioned how a committee with a particular "bandwagon" might affect trust in ABC's independence. Segal replied that the committee could be appointed without a Jewish representative if members understand antisemitism. The royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion was established after the Bondi beach terror attack that killed 15 people at a Hanukah event.
Neither ABC nor SBS uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which the commission employs. Critics argue that definition conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
