The ABC ombudsman has determined that Laura Tingle's analysis of the killing of journalists by Israel was 'duly impartial,' following a coordinated campaign of 56 identical complaints emailed to the ABC board and executive. The complaints, which were sent en masse rather than through the usual complaints form, targeted key individuals at the broadcaster. This practice, as Weekly Beast understands, is becoming increasingly common, and while such complaints are investigated, they do not receive individual replies.
Background of the Analysis
In her analysis, published after the reported killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil in Israeli strikes, the ABC's global affairs editor wrote that there 'appears to be no normal guardrails' on Israel's actions. Tingle cited the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which reported in February that Israel was responsible for two-thirds of all press killings in both 2025 and 2024, marking two consecutive record years for journalist deaths.
Complaint Objections
Among the objections raised in the complaints was that the article did not adequately contextualize the presence of Hezbollah. However, the ombudsman noted that Tingle did acknowledge the risks journalists face in war zones, stating: 'Journalists, by the nature of their jobs covering war, are at additional risk, and some of their deaths could have been accidental.' The ombudsman also highlighted that Tingle included Israel's explanation regarding Khalil's death.
Ombudsman's Findings
The ombudsman's office reviewed the article, the concerns raised, and considered the content against impartiality and diversity of perspectives standards as they apply to analysis content. The report concluded: 'In consideration of the format of an analysis article, the attributed claims and perspectives presented in the story, we are satisfied the article is duly impartial as the standards apply to analysis content.'
Previous Complaints Dismissed
A week earlier, the ombudsman had also dismissed 19 complaints about the ABC's broadcast of Israel's ambassador Hillel Newman's National Press Club address. Some complaints argued that the ABC should not have platformed an Israeli government representative, alleging inaccurate claims about journalist and civilian deaths and offensive language about Palestinians. ABC News informed the ombudsman that senior editorial staff fact-checked the speech, and Tingle provided further context in an on-air segment after the broadcast. The ombudsman found that the broadcast did not breach editorial standards.
Laurie Oakes Honored at Press Gallery Exhibition
While the treasurer finalized the budget on Monday night, retired Nine journalist Laurie Oakes delivered a masterclass in political reporting at Old Parliament House for the opening of a new press gallery exhibition. Oakes, who retired in 2017, accepted a lifetime achievement award before an audience of hundreds of veterans from the old press quarters, which housed the federal press corps from 1927 to 1988 before moving to Capital Hill. This week marks the 125th anniversary of the first sitting of federal parliament in 1901.
Oakes' Speech and Awards
Oakes quoted legendary reporter Warren Denning, who wrote in 1928 that a good political journalist's attitude to politics is like a trained musician to their instrument, relying on 'feel and touch, on an innate subconscious directive.' Oakes, 82, added: 'The journalist assigned to this work has to be alive to every pulse beat in the parliamentary body, able to detect the slightest trace of abnormality, able to sense that things are going wrong, something's out of tune, somebody is up to something.' Also honored with a lifetime achievement award was Michelle Grattan, chief political correspondent at The Conversation. Grattan and Oakes are the first journalists to receive this recognition from the press gallery committee.
Grattan's Legacy
Vice-president Katina Curtis praised Grattan, saying the former Age political editor broke more glass ceilings than anyone, including becoming the first woman to edit a metropolitan newspaper in Australia when she was appointed to the Canberra Times in 1993. Curtis remarked: 'The word trailblazer gets thrown around a lot but the current generation of female political journalists, including myself, is truly privileged to work alongside one in Michelle.' Grattan, 81, declined the invitation to attend the event, citing the night before the budget as a big day for political journalists.
Prime Minister Attends Exhibition
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the event, congratulating Grattan and Oakes. Oakes' career spanned 14 prime ministers and included the most notorious budget leak of all time: in 1980, he read then-treasurer John Howard's budget speech live on television a day before it was due. The exhibition curator Amy Lay spent two years sourcing old office equipment, including typewriters, teleprinters, microphones, phones, files, and notebooks.
Sky News Launches Quizzical
Sky News Australia will launch a new current affairs quiz show called Quizzical this Sunday night, promising a lighter look at the news cycle. Hosted by James Macpherson, author of 'Notes From Woketopia' and a biography of Avi Yemini, the show features team leaders Joe Hildebrand and Lucy Zelić. Macpherson said: 'It's the perfect way for people to unwind on a Sunday night, catching up on the news of the week in a light-hearted, highly entertaining format.' He added: 'I'm especially looking forward to seeing everyone's Sky News favourites in a different setting where they are working together, and against each other, to see who's most up to date.'
Community Radio Station 2SER's Future
The grassroots fight to keep community radio station 2SER afloat continues with a special broadcast on Monday night by ABC radio veterans Robbie Buck and Richard Kingsmill. They are returning to the 2SER microphone to celebrate the station's role in Sydney's music scene and discuss its future. Along with Labor minister Tanya Plibersek and former ABC broadcasters Eleanor Hall, Michael Rowland, Julie McCrossin, and Helen Razer, Buck and Kingsmill are alumni of the University of Technology Sydney and started their radio careers at 2SER. The station is struggling after losing funding partner Macquarie University last year. A public meeting heard from angry staff, volunteers, and alumni frustrated with the board's lack of vision and urgency. Although Macquarie flagged its withdrawal late last year, funding requests weren't sent to the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales until March. UTS shocked the community by saying the station may not last past July. UTS is working with 2SER to find another partner but cannot fund the service alone. The broadcast airs at 7pm on 2SER 107.3 FM in Sydney, or online.
