The ABC is investigating allegations that a Gaza-based freelancer who provided footage to its 7.30 program had links to Hamas.
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who → investigate → Hamas
Executives have told a Senate estimates hearing they were seeking further evidence from Israeli authorities before drawing any conclusions, but ABC editorial director Gavin Fang said the broadcaster took the allegations 'very seriously'.
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broadcaster → tell → allegations
Fang revealed that he had approached the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for further information about freelance videographer Roshdi Sarraj, 31, who was killed in Gaza on October 22, 2023.
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who → reveal → October
His death in an Israeli air strike was eulogised by 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson, who publicly sent condolences to the family, and called him 'brave' and an 'excellent journalist'.
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who → eulogise → him
The claims emerged after The Australian reported that Sarraj was among media workers killed in Gaza whom the IDF alleges were connected to Hamas.
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IDF → emerge → Hamas
Asked by Liberal senator Sarah Henderson whether the ABC had investigated the allegations, Fang replied: 'Yes, absolutely.'
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Fang → ask → allegations
'We have attempted to get some clarification from the IDF about their position on this, and as yet, they have not provided us with any evidence to suggest otherwise,' Fang said.
'
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Fang → attempt → evidence
We have asked for further evidence from the IDF, and until we are able to find something that goes to the veracity of that claim, I don't think it's incumbent on us to make a decision, to declare that that person was a member of Hamas.'
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person → ask → Hamas
The ABC was pressed over claims journalist Roshdi Sarraj (pictured) was a Hamas fighter
ABC editorial director Gavin Fang said the public broadcaster took the claims very seriously
Henderson pressed ABC managing director Hugh Marks on what safeguards the broadcaster had in place to ensure it was not hiring Hamas members.
'I just want to ask what the ABC's doing to vet journalists and media companies in Gaza to make sure that you are not hiring terrorists,' she said.
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she → press → terrorists
Marks responded that most of the broadcaster's reporting was produced by permanent ABC staff.
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most → respond → staff
'On occasion we will hire stringers.
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we → hire → stringers
These are often people that facilitate our access to or use of facilities in these places,' Marks said.
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Marks → facilitate → places
'They're not necessarily providing journalism or influencing editorial.'
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They → provide → editorial
He stressed the 'vast majority' of editorial content comes from 'long-standing and proven ABC-verified journalists'.
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majority → stress → journalists
Marks acknowledged that in areas where access is severely restricted, including Gaza, the ABC sometimes relies on local contractors for footage and logistical support.
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ABC → acknowledge → footage
'Sometimes we will reach out to stringers or third-party companies to seek to get access or footage or whatever it might be,' he said.
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he → reach → access
Managing Director Hugh Marks (pictured) said the network vetted material provided to it
Sarraj, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike aged 31, worked as a stringer for the ABC's 7.30
'
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who → picture → 7.30
We go through a vigorous process to ensure that we vet everything that is delivered to the ABC.
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that → go → ABC
'There is an allegation in this particular case that a stringer or a fixer, someone helping us on the ground rather than producing journalism, is involved in Hamas,' Marks said regarding Sarraj.
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Marks → be → Sarraj
'We are taking very seriously the nature of that allegation and seeking to verify it ourselves.'
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We → take → it
Henderson noted that ID numbers allegedly linking Sarraj to Hamas had been published on the IDF's website and asked when the ABC had sought clarification from Israeli authorities.
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ABC → note → authorities
'I don't have the exact date in front of me, Senator,' Marks replied.
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Marks → have → me
The senator also questioned whether the ABC had reviewed a Committee to Protect Journalists list that included individuals the IDF claims were Hamas operatives.
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IDF → question → individuals
Marks said the broadcaster had discussed the issue with the organisation but could not confirm whether every name had been checked individually.
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name → say → organisation
Senator Sarah Henderson (pictured) pressed the ABC over knowledge of Sarraj's background
'I don't have information about whether we've gone name by name, if that is what you're asking,' he said.
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he → picture → what
Marks was then asked whether the ABC had cross-checked the list to ensure it had not directly or indirectly engaged any of the individuals named.
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it → ask → individuals
Marks said he would take the question on notice.
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he → say → notice
The Aporia
