Politics · Australia · 3 hrs ago
Australia’s antisemitism envoy proposes outside review of ABC and SBS coverage
Australia’s antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal has proposed outside oversight of ABC and SBS coverage of Israel and the Middle East.
Her updated plan suggests a government-appointed panel review past reporting and that an independent ombudsman take over some oversight duties from the broadcasters’ own ombudsmen.
Segal says members of the Jewish community are concerned that coverage they see as one-sided or inaccurate may contribute to hostility toward people who support Israel.
ABC and SBS have rejected calls for external oversight, and the proposals have not been described as government policy.
The plan also proposes enforceable rules for arts organisations and universities, including ending grants in some cases involving antisemitic speech or conduct.
Segal says the proposals are not intended to silence criticism of Israel, and the plan does not say what the government will do next.
Australia’s antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, has proposed an external independent ombudsman to review ABC and SBS coverage of Israel and the Middle East.
Her updated plan says a government-appointed panel should review the broadcasters’ previous reporting and considers transferring some oversight responsibilities from their ombudsmen.
Segal said she had received concerns from Jewish Australians about reporting they perceived as disproportionate, misleading or inaccurate.
The plan also proposes measures affecting arts organisations, universities, protests and visa processing.
The public broadcasters have rejected calls for external oversight.
- Who
- Jillian Segal, Australia’s envoy to combat antisemitism, proposed the measures.
- What
- She proposed external review of ABC and SBS coverage, among other measures to tackle antisemitism.
- When
- The updated plan was released on Friday, 30 October 2026.
- Where
- Australia, including its public broadcasters ABC and SBS.
- Why
- Segal cited concerns about coverage of Israel and the Middle East and said the measures were intended to tackle antisemitism.
Jillian Segal
ABC and SBS
External oversight
Jillian Segal
Segal proposed independent review of the broadcasters’ coverage and suggested transferring some responsibilities from their ombudsmen.
ABC and SBS
The broadcasters rejected calls for external oversight.
Purpose
Jillian Segal
Segal said review would address concerns about reporting perceived as subjective, inaccurate or disproportionate.
ABC and SBS
The sources do not state the broadcasters’ reasons for rejecting external oversight.
Segal’s initial plan said she would work with publicly funded broadcasters to encourage programs that add to social cohesion.
Segal told a royal commission she wanted an oversight committee that could give ABC and SBS coverage a “tick” or guidance.
The Bondi Beach massacre killed 15 people during a Hanukah celebration, prompting the royal commission.
Segal released an updated plan proposing an external review of ABC and SBS coverage and other measures.
- Envoy
- Jillian Segal
- Broadcasters
- ABC and SBS
- Panel proposal
- Government-appointed panel to review previous reporting
- Updated plan
- Released 30 October 2026
- Bondi Beach massacre
- 15 people killed during a Hanukah celebration
2 sources
What people are saying
Antisemitism doesn't start with violence, it starts with words and then those words progress through different stages if they're not appropriately dealt with
Those Jewish artists have not been re-embraced and we have to find a way to make that happen
That perception of a link between coverage and hostility is itself a matter of public importance.
But the form that is leaving Jewish Australians increasingly anxious and excluded is the one that has taken root in influential institutions, where Jewish Australians are being discriminated against, blamed and vilified for the actions of the government of the state of Israel.