Diversity Arts Australia congratulates Antoinette Lattouf on her landmark legal victory against the ABC. A respected Lebanese-Australian journalist, broadcaster, author, and human rights advocate, Antoinette is also the co-founder of Media Diversity Australia, a long-time sister organisation and ally in our shared mission to champion cultural and racial equity in our respective industries.
The Federal Court found that Antoinette’s dismissal from an ABC Radio role in late 2023 was unlawful and in breach of her workplace rights, particularly her right to express a political opinion. The significance of this decision cannot be overstated. It affirms that our right to freedom of opinion and expression — whether through the arts, media, or academia — must be protected and upheld. It also highlights the importance of diverse voices and robust public debate in helping society navigate and understand broader social issues.
This case resonates deeply across the creative and cultural sectors, where we have witnessed the ongoing silencing — and at times, retaliation — of artists, academics, and cultural workers for expressing uncomfortable truths. As we stated in our 2025 open letter calling on Creative Australia and the Federal Government to uphold freedom of opinion and expression, this silencing disproportionately affects racialised communities, including Arab, Muslim, Palestinian, and Lebanese Australians. The arts and media play a critical role in holding power to account, creating space for diverse perspectives, and reflecting the lived realities of our communities — particularly during times of conflict and injustice. Antoinette Lattouf’s victory adds to a growing call for institutions to genuinely uphold their commitments to freedom of expression, cultural equity, and artistic independence, not just in words, but in practice.
We are hopeful that this decision sets a precedent for systemic change, where truth-telling is no longer punished, but protected and respected. Antoinette’s courage, resilience, and pursuit of justice remind us all of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of immense pressure.