ABC and SBS to appear at antisemitism royal commission after complaints of ‘unbalanced’ Middle East coverage

‘There are complaints that the ABC and the SBS have produced coverage that is inaccurate or unbalanced’ the antisemitism royal commission has heard. Photograph: Benjamin Crone/Alamy View image in fullscreen ‘There are complaints that the ABC and the SBS have produced coverage that is inaccurate or unbalanced’ the antisemitism royal commission has heard. Photograph: Benjamin Crone/Alamy ABC and SBS to appear at antisemitism royal commission after complaints of ‘unbalanced’ Middle East coverage Bondi attack inquiry broadcasters will be called as commission focuses on traditional and social media Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Representatives from the ABC and SBS will be called as witnesses to the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion , after complaints were made to the inquiry about their coverage of the Middle East. On Monday, counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC said some submissions to the royal commission – established after the Bondi terror attack – are “highly critical” of the public broadcasters’ reporting on the Middle East conflict. “These media outlets occupy a particularly important, trusted position in the Australian media landscape. Their statutes, charters and policies commit them to high standards of accuracy, impartiality and balance, [which] they are charged with reflecting and indeed fostering,” he said. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email “There are complaints that the ABC and the SBS have produced coverage that is inaccurate or unbalanced, both in their selection of stories and focus and in the reportage that they produce.” The special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, will be called to speak on those concerns, he said. “Witnesses from the public broadcasters themselves will also be called to speak to the approach taken by the ABC and the SBS to their reporting of the conflict,” Lancaster said. An SBS spokesperson said it was “engaging with the royal commission process, including by providing written submissions”. ABC and SBS refuse to adopt antisemitism definition used by royal commission Read more The ABC also made a submission. “We recognise the importance of the royal commission and will continue to engage constructively,” a spokesperson said. The ABC has consistently defended its coverage against what the managing director, Hugh Marks, has called “unfounded” criticism . The ABC’s chair, Kim Williams, defended the broadcaster over News Corp claims of biased reporting last month. “Recent commercial media has accused the ABC of bias and as having contributed to the rise of antisemitism. The ABC stands by its reporting of the conflict in the Middle East,” Williams said in a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald . The SBS has also defended its coverage. “As a public service media organisation, SBS provides accurate, balanced and impartial coverage across a range of matters, including antisemitism and soci