Antisemitism envoy calls for outside scrutiny of ABC and SBS Israel reporting, says current system lets broadcasters 'mark their own homework'

Australia's antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, told the Royal Commission into Antisemitism on Thursday that the ABC and SBS need a new independent oversight committee to vet their coverage of the Israel-Gaza war. Segal argued that the current complaints system, which relies on an independent ombudsman within each broadcaster, is insufficient.

"There is a widespread perception in the Jewish community that the public broadcasters' reporting on the Gaza war lacks balance, overemphasizes Gaza relative to other conflicts, and gives disproportionate voice to anti-Israel perspectives."

The GuardianABC and SBS need ‘oversight’ committee to vet Israel coverage, Jillian Segal tells royal commission

Segal's criticism went further, accusing the public broadcasters of effectively policing themselves. According to The Nightly, she said the current arrangement allows the ABC and SBS to 'mark their own homework', a charge that underscores the depth of community distrust.

Both the ABC and SBS already have an independent ombudsman to handle complaints about their journalism. However, Segal is pushing for an external committee entirely outside the organisations, The Guardian reported. The envoy's appearance before the royal commission highlights growing political and community pressure on the public broadcasters over their Middle East coverage.