Australia’s public broadcasters have rejected accusations of biased reporting of Israel’s war in Gaza and will defend themselves at a major inquiry.
The ABC has disproportionately focused on the war in Gaza and consistently presented Israel in a negative light, Australia’s antisemitism envoy says.
Appearing at the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Jillian Segal said there was a strongly held perception among the Jewish community that the national broadcaster was presenting biased and inaccurate reporting about the war in the Middle East.
“I’m not in any way suggesting that they shouldn’t cover the matters that they consider important, but there are also lots of important issues around the world,” Ms Segal told the inquiry.
“There are major famines, there are wars that we don’t hear about at all in Africa.”
Despite the ABC already having an ombudsman to investigate complaints, Ms Segal said a separate oversight committee should be established to ensure the broadcaster complied with its editorial standards.
Ms Segal also took aim at SBS’s use of death statistics from the Gaza Health Ministry, claiming the figures are “grossly inaccurate” and fail to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.
She pointed out that the Gaza Health Ministry is controlled by Hamas.
Both organisations, which are scheduled to appear at the inquiry later on Thursday, preemptively rejected Ms Segal’s criticisms.
In a statement, the ABC said while most complaints over its coverage of the war in Gaza allege bias, the criticism came from all sides.
“In the six months July-December 2025, 51 per cent of complaints claimed the ABC’s Israel-Gaza coverage was broadly pro-Palestinian and 47 per cent claimed it was broadly pro-Israel.
“Perceptions of bias are arising from strongly held views across the community rather than systematic editorial favouritism.”
Ms Segal did not accept that equal numbers of complaints meant the story was covered right.
“It could have the story very wrong, and a lot of people from different perspectives would be complaining. I don’t think it proves the fact that there’s accuracy,” she said.
In its submission to the inquiry, SBS has pointed to its extensive coverage of antisemitism, including broadcasts in other languages such as Hebrew, and its role reporting on the Bondi terror attack.
“SBS unequivocally condemns antisemitism and affirms the right of Jewish Australians to live with safety, dignity and a true sense of belonging,” it said in a statement.
“Our submission to the royal commission highlights the vital role trusted, independent public service media plays in strengthening social cohesion.”
By: Zac de Silva and Duncan Murray/AAP