Representatives from Australia's ABC and SBS will be called as witnesses to the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion. This action follows complaints made to the royal commission regarding the public broadcasters' coverage of the Middle East.

Counsel assisting the royal commission, Richard Lancaster SC, stated that some submissions received by the body are highly critical of the public broadcasters' reporting on the Middle East conflict. "There are complaints that the ABC and the SBS have produced coverage that is inaccurate or unbalanced, both in their selection of stories and focus and in the reportage that they produce," Lancaster said. He added that witnesses from the public broadcasters themselves will also be called to speak to the approach taken by the ABC and the SBS to their reporting of the conflict.

Lancaster noted the role of these organizations in the Australian media landscape. "These media outlets occupy a particularly important, trusted position in the Australian media landscape. Their statutes, charters and policies commit them to high standards of accuracy, impartiality and balance, [which] they are charged with reflecting and indeed fostering," he said.

An SBS spokesperson confirmed the broadcaster's engagement with the royal commission process, including the submission of written information. The ABC also made a submission to the royal commission. "We recognise the importance of the royal commission and will continue to engage constructively," an ABC spokesperson said.

Previously, ABC managing director Hugh Marks described criticism of the broadcaster's coverage as unfounded. ABC chair Kim Williams also defended the organization against claims of biased reporting from News Corp. "Recent commercial media has accused the ABC of bias and as having contributed to the rise of antisemitism. The ABC stands by its reporting of the conflict in the Middle East," Williams said in a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald.

An SBS spokesperson stated, "As a public service media organisation, SBS provides accurate, balanced and impartial coverage across a range of matters, including antisemitism and social cohesion, in accordance with the SBS code of practice and in fulfilment of its charter." Commissioner Virginia Bell is scheduled to hear evidence over the next two weeks concerning the dissemination of antisemitic content and other forms of hateful speech in the online environment, alongside antisemitism in traditional media and broadcasting. "It has become increasingly apparent that the online environment – and social media platforms in particular – are perhaps the most significant vector for the spread of antisemitism and hate in the community," Lancaster said.

Why It Matters

The royal commission's decision to call representatives from the national broadcasters, ABC and SBS, as witnesses indicates an expansion of its inquiry into the role of media in social cohesion and antisemitism. The commission was established following the Bondi terror attack. Submissions to the commission from the public include criticisms of the broadcasters' reporting on the Middle East conflict, prompting the inquiry into their adherence to standards of accuracy, impartiality, and balance. The proceedings will also address the spread of antisemitic content in both online and traditional media contexts.