How Antoinette Lattouf Benefited from Being Fired by the ABC: Lawyer Drops Major Bombshell.

Antoinette Lattouf’s legal battle with the ABC took a dramatic turn as her lawyer made a stunning admission in court.

Lattouf, who was let go after just three days of a week-long fill-in stint on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program, claims she was fired for her outspoken support of the Palestinian cause.

Her dismissal followed a controversial social media post where she shared a Human Rights Watch article accusing Israel of using starvation as a "weapon of war" in Gaza.

Hostile and Partisan?

Lattouf’s lawyer, Oshie Fagir, argued that the ABC's decision was driven by political bias. According to Fagir, senior ABC executives labeled Lattouf an "activist" because of her public views, and this influenced the broadcaster’s decision to let her go. He suggested that these labels showed a “hostile” stance toward her opinions, particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

While Lattouf asserts that she was fired for expressing her political views, the ABC counters that she disobeyed a clear directive not to comment on the war or Israel during her time as a fill-in host. Lattouf, however, denies any such directive was given.

The Legal Battle Escalates

The dispute has escalated to the Federal Court, where Lattouf is suing the ABC for damages and penalties. Central to her case is the argument that her dismissal was politically motivated. Evidence presented in court suggests that ABC executives were unaware of Lattouf’s work beyond her public statements on the conflict, casting doubt on the broadcaster's reasons for firing her.

Adding fuel to the fire, Lattouf’s lawyer questioned the credibility of ABC content chief Chris Oliver-Taylor, claiming that he was unaware of key details about Lattouf’s dismissal. Fagir argued that if Lattouf’s direct supervisor, Elizabeth Green, did not issue the controversial directive, the case could be “game over” for the ABC.

The Unexpected Upside

Despite the dramatic dismissal, Lattouf may have unwittingly benefited from the backlash. ABC’s barrister, Ian Neil SC, admitted in court that Lattouf’s profile had grown significantly since her departure, including a boost in her Instagram following. In fact, Lattouf confirmed that this increase in her online reach had helped her expand her freelance career.

"Yes," Neil said when asked if Lattouf had benefited from the attention, highlighting that her dismissal, while contentious, may have inadvertently raised her visibility in the media landscape.

Who’s Really Responsible?

Lattouf has singled out several top ABC executives as responsible for her firing, including former ABC chair Ita Buttrose, managing director David Anderson, and content head Ben Latimer. She claims their influence played a key role in the decision to end her stint on the program.

Lattouf alleged that former ABC chair Ita Buttrose played a role in the decision to dismiss her.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that the ABC has spent $1.1 million in taxpayer funds defending the case so far, in a failed attempt to settle the dispute.

The Bottom Line

Lattouf’s dismissal has sparked a broader debate about free speech, political bias, and media independence. While the ABC maintains it acted based on internal guidelines, Lattouf’s growing career and online following suggest that the fallout from her firing may have worked to her advantage. As the case moves forward, the court will determine whether her dismissal was a result of ideological differences or a breach of ABC policies.