Antoinette Lattouf v ABC LIVE updates: David Anderson cross-examination continues; broadcaster’s former head of content to appear
ABC managing director David Anderson said the decision on Wednesday, December 20, to take Antoinette Lattouf off-air was not his.
A call from the ABC’s head of content Chris Oliver-Taylor that day was to inform him the decision had changed, and he wanted to let him know, as he was Anderson’s direct report.
Oliver-Taylor told Anderson at this point it was his view that Lattouf had “breached our editorial policies while in our employment”.
Lattouf’s barrister Oshie Fagir asked Anderson why he did not push back, because she could not have breached editorial policies by posting on social media.
“I didn’t question the decision that, in my mind, he’d already made, other than to say, ‘Are you sure?’ and he said, ‘Yeah we’ve got no choice’ ” Anderson said.
Fagir said Oliver-Taylor’s assertion that Lattouf should go because she posted something on social media despite being directed not to was as “clear as day”; it had nothing to do with editorial policies.
Oliver-Taylor was not asking for his approval, Anderson said.
“He was recommending a position, and I agreed with his position and supported it,” Anderson said.
“He’s made a decision here for which I don’t know any of the details,” Anderson said, so he accepted the position Oliver-Taylor was in, and the decision he made.
Anderson said failing to follow a direction not to post would warrant misconduct, in his view, and subsequently would warrant an investigation.
“All of my direct reports know the rules, procedures and requirements of the ABC, including Mr Oliver Taylor, yes. It is not my practice to constantly remind people to be compliant with rules,” Anderson said.
“My expectation is, particularly some people in very senior roles, to know and understand and discharge their duties for their compliance.”
He agrees Oliver-Taylor would have been expected to understand that a breach of a direction would amount to misconduct, and request the necessary steps.
