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Antoinette Lattouf leaves the Supreme Court.Credit:James Brickwood

Last week ABC managing director,David Anderson,admitted under questioning there was a “step missing” in the way the broadcaster handled her exit,and that she may have been denied the right to respond to a proper process.

The court heard that former ABC chair Ita Buttrose sent emails to senior managers asking:“Has Antoinette been replaced? I’m over getting emails about her.”

In another email,Buttrose seems to cast about for any excuse to take Lattouf off air,asking Anderson:“Why can’t she come down with flu? Or COVID. Or a stomach upset? We owe her nothing.”

The court also heard the decision to dismiss Lattouf was made soon after the ABC received an email fromThe Australian newspaper asking if the broadcaster was investigating her social media use,including “commentary she has made about the Israel-Gaza war”.

The case has provided plenty of entertainment – thousands have been watching the live stream of proceedings to see the courtroom bombshells first-hand.

But the episode has also raised worrying questions about our public broadcaster.

The witness list for the court case has drawn attention to the many layers of management at the ABC;why did they deal with the controversy so poorly?

After all,Lattouf’s social media history expressing strong views on the Israel-Gaza war was on the public record long before she was offered work at the ABC.

Viewers expect ABC presenters and journalists to report without fear or favour. But to do that,staff must be assured their employer will back them;that understanding is fundamental for any media organisation aspiring to deliver quality journalism.

Sadly,Lattouf’s treatment threatens to undermine the confidence of ABC presenters and journalists,especially when they take up controversial topics.

Perhaps the most worrying part of the Lattouf case is the doubt it casts on the broadcaster’s willingness to stand up to powerful interests.

Buttrose and Anderson deny outside influences played any role in Lattouf’s sacking. But the credibility of those claims has been sorely tested by evidence presented in court.

Linton Besser,host of the ABC’s ownMedia Watchprogram,said of the Lattouf case this week:“So far it seems clear to us that all it took for the organisation to abandon its most basic obligations to one of its on-air presenters was a three-day email campaign and single inquiry fromTheAustraliannewspaper.”

Even if the ABC wins the unlawful termination case,the Lattouf saga has damaged the national broadcaster.

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