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West Australian
18-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
No Lattouf contempt probe after Nine names lobbyists
Nine has dodged a contempt prosecution despite publicly naming several pro-Israel lobbyists who had their identities suppressed after complaining about an ABC radio host's views on Palestine. Antoinette Lattouf was ousted from her casual position on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program in December 2023 after a concerted email campaign by the lobbyists demanding she be sacked. She was awarded $70,000 for her unlawful termination in June. As her Federal Court hearing against the ABC started in February, Justice Darryl Rangiah suppressed the names of nine individuals who had complained about Lattouf. He said there were safety fears if they were publicly identified. Then-ABC chair Ita Buttrose wrote to former managing director David Anderson that she was getting over the complaints two days into Lattouf's fill-in hosting shift, in an email presented during the trial. Nine published a series of articles in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in January 2024 naming four of the complainants, and did not remove the names until March 2025. The complainants then urged Justice Rangiah to refer the matter to a Federal Court registrar who could prosecute the two Nine-owned publications for contempt. The contempt case was also brought against journalists Michael Bachelard and Calum Jaspan, editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett and Nine's in-house lawyers Larina Alick and Sam White. On Friday, Justice Rangiah declined to refer the matter for prosecution. The complainants had brought a "reasonably arguable" case that Nine was in contempt, he acknowledged in his judgment. But Nine had an arguable defence that the court's suppression order only related to the names of nine complainants found in documents tendered during Lattouf's trial against the ABC, he wrote. Nine argued it had sourced the names from other material, more than a year before the trial started. In declining to send the matter onto a registrar, the judge said the complainants could prosecute the case themselves if they wished. "I consider the intervening parties are 'the ones most naturally placed' to conduct proceedings for contempt of court," he wrote. He ordered the lobbyists pay half of Nine's legal costs, saying the network's failure to properly respond to repeated correspondence from their lawyers was "discourteous and unhelpful". However, he did not order all costs be paid because there was no reasonable basis for contempt proceedings to be brought against Mr White and Ms Alick. The in-house lawyers had no control over whether the articles were amended and there was no evidence about the legal advice they had given, the judge said.
Perth Now
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
No Lattouf contempt probe after Nine names lobbyists
Nine has dodged a contempt prosecution despite publicly naming several pro-Israel lobbyists who had their identities suppressed after complaining about an ABC radio host's views on Palestine. Antoinette Lattouf was ousted from her casual position on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program in December 2023 after a concerted email campaign by the lobbyists demanding she be sacked. She was awarded $70,000 for her unlawful termination in June. As her Federal Court hearing against the ABC started in February, Justice Darryl Rangiah suppressed the names of nine individuals who had complained about Lattouf. He said there were safety fears if they were publicly identified. Then-ABC chair Ita Buttrose wrote to former managing director David Anderson that she was getting over the complaints two days into Lattouf's fill-in hosting shift, in an email presented during the trial. Nine published a series of articles in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in January 2024 naming four of the complainants, and did not remove the names until March 2025. The complainants then urged Justice Rangiah to refer the matter to a Federal Court registrar who could prosecute the two Nine-owned publications for contempt. The contempt case was also brought against journalists Michael Bachelard and Calum Jaspan, editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett and Nine's in-house lawyers Larina Alick and Sam White. On Friday, Justice Rangiah declined to refer the matter for prosecution. The complainants had brought a "reasonably arguable" case that Nine was in contempt, he acknowledged in his judgment. But Nine had an arguable defence that the court's suppression order only related to the names of nine complainants found in documents tendered during Lattouf's trial against the ABC, he wrote. Nine argued it had sourced the names from other material, more than a year before the trial started. In declining to send the matter onto a registrar, the judge said the complainants could prosecute the case themselves if they wished. "I consider the intervening parties are 'the ones most naturally placed' to conduct proceedings for contempt of court," he wrote. He ordered the lobbyists pay half of Nine's legal costs, saying the network's failure to properly respond to repeated correspondence from their lawyers was "discourteous and unhelpful". However, he did not order all costs be paid because there was no reasonable basis for contempt proceedings to be brought against Mr White and Ms Alick. The in-house lawyers had no control over whether the articles were amended and there was no evidence about the legal advice they had given, the judge said.
The Advertiser
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Nine denies Lattouf contempt over pro-Israel lobbyists
Pro-Israel lobbyists harassed for complaining about an ABC radio host's views on Palestine want another media company to be prosecuted for revealing their names. Antoinette Lattouf was ousted from her casual position on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program in December 2023. She was awarded $70,000 for her unlawful termination in June. Federal Court Justice Darryl Rangiah found the national broadcaster removed her from air following pressure from an orchestrated campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Nine of those who complained had their names suppressed in February as the hearing started. The group returned to court on Monday, asking Justice Rangiah to refer Nine-owned newspapers to a registrar for prosecution for alleged contempt of court. Prominent barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC argued at an earlier hearing Nine failed to promptly take down or amend January 2024 articles published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age containing the names of four individuals who complained. It took the publisher six weeks to remove the names despite repeated letters, she said. A separate article by the Nine-owned Pedestrian TV also identifying some of the complainants was taken down in April. There had been no apology nor a promise to not divulge the names in the future. "All of the respondents are completely unrepentant in relation to the infringement of the order," Ms Chrysanthou said in June. The contempt case has also been brought against journalists Michael Bachelard and Calum Jaspan, editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett and Nine's in-house lawyers Larina Alick and Sam White. Nine's barrister Tom Blackburn SC denied there was any contempt at all when the hearing continued on Monday. His clients could not have breached the court's order suppressing any names or identities because the wording did not specify who the order related to, he argued. 'It's just impossible that there could be a wilful and contumacious contempt in this case in circumstances where we didn't know who the protected people were," he said. The case against the two journalists was "utterly hopeless" as neither had the power to remove or amend the articles, Mr Blackburn said. Similar submissions were made regarding the "incoherent" case brought against the two in-house lawyers. Mr Blackburn argued the case should not be referred to a registrar and that the pro-Israel group should be made to pay his clients' legal costs. Ms Chrysanthou urged Justice Rangiah to refer the matter on, saying the judge only needed to be convinced there was an arguable case of contempt. Nine knew exactly who the suppression order referred to and eventually removed the precise names of the complainants from the articles, she said. Justice Rangiah will deliver his decision at a later date. Pro-Israel lobbyists harassed for complaining about an ABC radio host's views on Palestine want another media company to be prosecuted for revealing their names. Antoinette Lattouf was ousted from her casual position on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program in December 2023. She was awarded $70,000 for her unlawful termination in June. Federal Court Justice Darryl Rangiah found the national broadcaster removed her from air following pressure from an orchestrated campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Nine of those who complained had their names suppressed in February as the hearing started. The group returned to court on Monday, asking Justice Rangiah to refer Nine-owned newspapers to a registrar for prosecution for alleged contempt of court. Prominent barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC argued at an earlier hearing Nine failed to promptly take down or amend January 2024 articles published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age containing the names of four individuals who complained. It took the publisher six weeks to remove the names despite repeated letters, she said. A separate article by the Nine-owned Pedestrian TV also identifying some of the complainants was taken down in April. There had been no apology nor a promise to not divulge the names in the future. "All of the respondents are completely unrepentant in relation to the infringement of the order," Ms Chrysanthou said in June. The contempt case has also been brought against journalists Michael Bachelard and Calum Jaspan, editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett and Nine's in-house lawyers Larina Alick and Sam White. Nine's barrister Tom Blackburn SC denied there was any contempt at all when the hearing continued on Monday. His clients could not have breached the court's order suppressing any names or identities because the wording did not specify who the order related to, he argued. 'It's just impossible that there could be a wilful and contumacious contempt in this case in circumstances where we didn't know who the protected people were," he said. The case against the two journalists was "utterly hopeless" as neither had the power to remove or amend the articles, Mr Blackburn said. Similar submissions were made regarding the "incoherent" case brought against the two in-house lawyers. Mr Blackburn argued the case should not be referred to a registrar and that the pro-Israel group should be made to pay his clients' legal costs. Ms Chrysanthou urged Justice Rangiah to refer the matter on, saying the judge only needed to be convinced there was an arguable case of contempt. Nine knew exactly who the suppression order referred to and eventually removed the precise names of the complainants from the articles, she said. Justice Rangiah will deliver his decision at a later date. Pro-Israel lobbyists harassed for complaining about an ABC radio host's views on Palestine want another media company to be prosecuted for revealing their names. Antoinette Lattouf was ousted from her casual position on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program in December 2023. She was awarded $70,000 for her unlawful termination in June. Federal Court Justice Darryl Rangiah found the national broadcaster removed her from air following pressure from an orchestrated campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Nine of those who complained had their names suppressed in February as the hearing started. The group returned to court on Monday, asking Justice Rangiah to refer Nine-owned newspapers to a registrar for prosecution for alleged contempt of court. Prominent barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC argued at an earlier hearing Nine failed to promptly take down or amend January 2024 articles published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age containing the names of four individuals who complained. It took the publisher six weeks to remove the names despite repeated letters, she said. A separate article by the Nine-owned Pedestrian TV also identifying some of the complainants was taken down in April. There had been no apology nor a promise to not divulge the names in the future. "All of the respondents are completely unrepentant in relation to the infringement of the order," Ms Chrysanthou said in June. The contempt case has also been brought against journalists Michael Bachelard and Calum Jaspan, editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett and Nine's in-house lawyers Larina Alick and Sam White. Nine's barrister Tom Blackburn SC denied there was any contempt at all when the hearing continued on Monday. His clients could not have breached the court's order suppressing any names or identities because the wording did not specify who the order related to, he argued. 'It's just impossible that there could be a wilful and contumacious contempt in this case in circumstances where we didn't know who the protected people were," he said. The case against the two journalists was "utterly hopeless" as neither had the power to remove or amend the articles, Mr Blackburn said. Similar submissions were made regarding the "incoherent" case brought against the two in-house lawyers. Mr Blackburn argued the case should not be referred to a registrar and that the pro-Israel group should be made to pay his clients' legal costs. Ms Chrysanthou urged Justice Rangiah to refer the matter on, saying the judge only needed to be convinced there was an arguable case of contempt. Nine knew exactly who the suppression order referred to and eventually removed the precise names of the complainants from the articles, she said. Justice Rangiah will deliver his decision at a later date. Pro-Israel lobbyists harassed for complaining about an ABC radio host's views on Palestine want another media company to be prosecuted for revealing their names. Antoinette Lattouf was ousted from her casual position on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program in December 2023. She was awarded $70,000 for her unlawful termination in June. Federal Court Justice Darryl Rangiah found the national broadcaster removed her from air following pressure from an orchestrated campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Nine of those who complained had their names suppressed in February as the hearing started. The group returned to court on Monday, asking Justice Rangiah to refer Nine-owned newspapers to a registrar for prosecution for alleged contempt of court. Prominent barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC argued at an earlier hearing Nine failed to promptly take down or amend January 2024 articles published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age containing the names of four individuals who complained. It took the publisher six weeks to remove the names despite repeated letters, she said. A separate article by the Nine-owned Pedestrian TV also identifying some of the complainants was taken down in April. There had been no apology nor a promise to not divulge the names in the future. "All of the respondents are completely unrepentant in relation to the infringement of the order," Ms Chrysanthou said in June. The contempt case has also been brought against journalists Michael Bachelard and Calum Jaspan, editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett and Nine's in-house lawyers Larina Alick and Sam White. Nine's barrister Tom Blackburn SC denied there was any contempt at all when the hearing continued on Monday. His clients could not have breached the court's order suppressing any names or identities because the wording did not specify who the order related to, he argued. 'It's just impossible that there could be a wilful and contumacious contempt in this case in circumstances where we didn't know who the protected people were," he said. The case against the two journalists was "utterly hopeless" as neither had the power to remove or amend the articles, Mr Blackburn said. Similar submissions were made regarding the "incoherent" case brought against the two in-house lawyers. Mr Blackburn argued the case should not be referred to a registrar and that the pro-Israel group should be made to pay his clients' legal costs. Ms Chrysanthou urged Justice Rangiah to refer the matter on, saying the judge only needed to be convinced there was an arguable case of contempt. Nine knew exactly who the suppression order referred to and eventually removed the precise names of the complainants from the articles, she said. Justice Rangiah will deliver his decision at a later date.
West Australian
14-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Nine denies Lattouf contempt over pro-Israel lobbyists
Pro-Israel lobbyists harassed for complaining about an ABC radio host's views on Palestine want another media company to be prosecuted for revealing their names. Antoinette Lattouf was ousted from her casual position on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program in December 2023. She was awarded $70,000 for her unlawful termination in June. Federal Court Justice Darryl Rangiah found the national broadcaster removed her from air following pressure from an orchestrated campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Nine of those who complained had their names suppressed in February as the hearing started. The group returned to court on Monday, asking Justice Rangiah to refer Nine-owned newspapers to a registrar for prosecution for alleged contempt of court. Prominent barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC argued at an earlier hearing Nine failed to promptly take down or amend January 2024 articles published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age containing the names of four individuals who complained. It took the publisher six weeks to remove the names despite repeated letters, she said. A separate article by the Nine-owned Pedestrian TV also identifying some of the complainants was taken down in April. There had been no apology nor a promise to not divulge the names in the future. "All of the respondents are completely unrepentant in relation to the infringement of the order," Ms Chrysanthou said in June. The contempt case has also been brought against journalists Michael Bachelard and Calum Jaspan, editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett and Nine's in-house lawyers Larina Alick and Sam White. Nine's barrister Tom Blackburn SC denied there was any contempt at all when the hearing continued on Monday. His clients could not have breached the court's order suppressing any names or identities because the wording did not specify who the order related to, he argued. 'It's just impossible that there could be a wilful and contumacious contempt in this case in circumstances where we didn't know who the protected people were," he said. The case against the two journalists was "utterly hopeless" as neither had the power to remove or amend the articles, Mr Blackburn said. Similar submissions were made regarding the "incoherent" case brought against the two in-house lawyers. Mr Blackburn argued the case should not be referred to a registrar and that the pro-Israel group should be made to pay his clients' legal costs. Ms Chrysanthou urged Justice Rangiah to refer the matter on, saying the judge only needed to be convinced there was an arguable case of contempt. Nine knew exactly who the suppression order referred to and eventually removed the precise names of the complainants from the articles, she said. Justice Rangiah will deliver his decision at a later date.
Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Nine denies Lattouf contempt over pro-Israel lobbyists
Pro-Israel lobbyists harassed for complaining about an ABC radio host's views on Palestine want another media company to be prosecuted for revealing their names. Antoinette Lattouf was ousted from her casual position on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program in December 2023. She was awarded $70,000 for her unlawful termination in June. Federal Court Justice Darryl Rangiah found the national broadcaster removed her from air following pressure from an orchestrated campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Nine of those who complained had their names suppressed in February as the hearing started. The group returned to court on Monday, asking Justice Rangiah to refer Nine-owned newspapers to a registrar for prosecution for alleged contempt of court. Prominent barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC argued at an earlier hearing Nine failed to promptly take down or amend January 2024 articles published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age containing the names of four individuals who complained. It took the publisher six weeks to remove the names despite repeated letters, she said. A separate article by the Nine-owned Pedestrian TV also identifying some of the complainants was taken down in April. There had been no apology nor a promise to not divulge the names in the future. "All of the respondents are completely unrepentant in relation to the infringement of the order," Ms Chrysanthou said in June. The contempt case has also been brought against journalists Michael Bachelard and Calum Jaspan, editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett and Nine's in-house lawyers Larina Alick and Sam White. Nine's barrister Tom Blackburn SC denied there was any contempt at all when the hearing continued on Monday. His clients could not have breached the court's order suppressing any names or identities because the wording did not specify who the order related to, he argued. 'It's just impossible that there could be a wilful and contumacious contempt in this case in circumstances where we didn't know who the protected people were," he said. The case against the two journalists was "utterly hopeless" as neither had the power to remove or amend the articles, Mr Blackburn said. Similar submissions were made regarding the "incoherent" case brought against the two in-house lawyers. Mr Blackburn argued the case should not be referred to a registrar and that the pro-Israel group should be made to pay his clients' legal costs. Ms Chrysanthou urged Justice Rangiah to refer the matter on, saying the judge only needed to be convinced there was an arguable case of contempt. Nine knew exactly who the suppression order referred to and eventually removed the precise names of the complainants from the articles, she said. Justice Rangiah will deliver his decision at a later date.
