Jillian Segal, Australia's antisemitism envoy, told the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion that an independent oversight committee should be established to review ABC and SBS coverage of Israel. Segal stated there is a "common and pervasive perception" in the Jewish community that the broadcasters' reporting on the Middle East war "lacked balance." She added that community members feel they are encountering reporting that "paints Israel constantly in a negative light."

Segal suggested an independent regulator could provide a "tick" or "guidance" to broadcasters regarding their coverage. She noted that Jewish Australians were almost more frustrated with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma) than with the ABC. Segal cited an error in an ABC report that claimed "14,000 babies that will die in the next 48 hours" in Gaza unless aid could reach them. The BBC had issued a correction to its report, which served as the basis for the ABC's story, before the ABC broadcast its segment. The correct statistic stated 14,000 babies would die in the next year. Segal stated it took too long for the ABC to correct the error and that the correction had less prominence than the original story.

ABC editorial director Gavin Fang disagreed with the assertion that the ABC's coverage of the conflict was disproportionate. He stated that the ABC's editorial policies include principles on impartiality, accuracy, and fairness. Fang acknowledged the error regarding baby deaths in Gaza "was a bad mistake." He stated the ABC has a transparent corrections and clarifications policy and attempts to correct errors at the earliest opportunity. Fang stated he was unsure how another oversight body might function alongside existing bodies, such as the ombudsman, the board, and Acma, which he described as functioning effectively.

Counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC noted that some submissions to the inquiry were highly critical of the public broadcasters' reporting on the Middle East conflict. Lancaster stated there were complaints that the ABC and SBS had produced coverage deemed inaccurate or unbalanced. The ABC stated that Middle East coverage generates more complaints than any other topic, but no complaints of bias in ABC News had been upheld by the ombudsman or probed by Acma. The broadcaster noted that in the six months from July to December 2025, 51% of complaints alleged its Israel-Gaza coverage was broadly pro-Palestinian, while 47% claimed it was broadly pro-Israel.

Commissioner Virginia Bell asked Segal how a committee composed of individuals with a particular "bandwagon" would impact public trust in the ABC's independence. Segal stated that the proposed oversight committee could be appointed without a Jewish representative, provided members understood antisemitism. Segal spoke favorably of the U.K.'s media watchdog, Ofcom, stating it has powers to initiate investigations, direct the BBC to remove content, and issue fines. Segal also cited the SBS using the Gaza health ministry as an official source of statistics as an example of problematic coverage, stating that such statistics have been "grossly inflated."