The ABC's handling of a story about potential baby deaths in Gaza has sparked controversy, with the broadcaster's boss admitting to a 'bad mistake'. This incident highlights the complex dynamics of media coverage in conflict zones and the potential for bias. As the royal commission continues, the focus shifts to public broadcasters' decisions regarding antisemitism definitions and their impact on editorial standards. The ABC and SBS are under scrutiny for their stance on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition, with the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, expressing disappointment. Segal argues that the lack of adoption of the IHRA definition may contribute to a lack of understanding of modern-day antisemitism. The commission also explores the role of the ABC Ombudsman, Fiona Cameron, and the calls for an independent complaints committee. The ABC's editorial director, Gavin Fang, faces questions about the broadcaster's impartiality and its approach to covering the Middle East conflict, which affects many Australians personally. The incident involving the story about dying babies underscores the need for rigorous fact-checking and the potential consequences of delays in corrections. As the royal commission progresses, the public broadcaster's commitment to impartiality and accuracy is under the microscope, with Segal advocating for a more robust media regulator to address potential biases.
