Australia: Women Press Freedom Condemns Indiscriminate WhatsApp Leak Impacting Jewish Journalists
The dissemination of participants' personal details, irrespective of their involvement in campaigns targeting pro-Palestine voices, is deeply troubling
Location: AustraliaDate: February 13, 2024
Women Press Freedom is concerned by a recent leak involving the private WhatsApp group of Jewish Australian creatives, which included the personal information of hundreds of individuals in academia and creative fields. This incident, which has resulted in threats of violence and has forced individuals into hiding, underscores the precarious balance between the right to privacy and the freedom of the press. We acknowledge the complexity of the motivations behind the leak, with some arguing that it serves the public interest by exposing efforts to silence pro-Palestinian voices — including Antoinette Lattouf, who was fired from her job through an organized campaign by the group — and critique media coverage of Israel. Whistleblowing plays a crucial role in a democratic society, exposing wrongdoing, unethical behavior, and activities that threaten public welfare. The dissemination of participants' personal details, irrespective of their involvement in the group's controversial discussions, is, however, deeply troubling. It is especially concerning that among the leaked names were individuals who have publicly criticized or distanced themselves from the actions and views discussed within the group. This indiscriminate exposure does not serve the public interest; instead, it fosters an environment of fear and self-censorship. This act undermines the principles of justice and fairness, penalizing individuals for mere association without evidence of wrongdoing.
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“I now find myself and my family the target of online abuse and threats due to being a member of this WhatsApp group,” says journalist Ginger Gorman, a renowned social justice journalist and human rights advocate who was one of the people part of a WhatsApp group of nearly 600 Jewish individuals in academia and creative fields which was leaked online by pro-Palestine activists.
The group, which includes journalists Julie Szego and Ramona Koval, was initially created as a supportive space for Jewish creatives in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent war on Gaza. However, the leaked information revealed efforts within the WhatsApp group to challenge media critiques of Israel, including organized campaigns against individuals and organizations perceived as threats to the Zionist narrative.
Prominent among the individuals targeted by the WhatsApp group is broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf, who has filed an unlawful termination claim against ABC following her firing.
Gorman, in a detailed statement, expressed her dismay upon realizing the extent of the bullying and harassment that was taking place within the group, including against her friends. Despite her minimal active participation — and having muted the group — the revelation of the group's activities has led to a significant backlash against her.
“In amongst the abuse, there is also genuine concern and disappointment from people who valued me as a peer in the arts industry. People who feel like I am no longer a trustworthy person, and who believe I stood idly by and watched their friends and peers be targeted,” says Gorman. “That, as I have said, is not the case. But I want to make it clear that I have read every post or message directed at me, and I have listened.”
The leak has led to a family going into hiding and accelerated the introduction of new federal legislation aimed at criminalizing the act of doxing, defined as the malicious release of personal information without consent. The Victorian Police have commenced an investigation into the leaks.
In response to the leak, the Australian government announced its intention to criminalize doxxing. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus outlined that the forthcoming legislation would empower authorities to issue take-down notices to social media platforms, alongside the imposition of fines, as a deterrent against this form of online intimidation.
The Australian Society of Authors has expressed concern over the repercussions artists and authors face for their political positions, highlighting the tension between principles of political tolerance and harm prevention.
Since the escalation of conflict in Gaza, media outlets globally have been struggling to report on the conflict with objectivity and sensitivity. Critics argue that mainstream media in Australia, including ABC and outlets owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, exhibit a pro-Israel bias in its coverage of the war. This has led to discomfort, protest, and anger in many newsrooms.
In December 2023, over 300 Australian journalists from various outlets signed a public letter calling for Australian media outlets to adhere to ethical reporting standards and provide adequate coverage of allegations such as war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid.
Following the letter, CFWIJ documented harassment and discrediting attempts against multiple Australian women journalists for reporting or criticizing media outlets’ coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict. The journalists, including Lattouf, faced smear campaigns by Murdoch-owned outlets and online trolls. As a result, many suffered professional repercussions, including job terminations, canceled contracts, and financial losses.
Since the Israeli retaliation to the Hamas attack, the Jewish community has reported a troubling increase in antisemitism across Australia. In November, over 100 Australian Holocaust survivors felt compelled to break their silence, drafting a letter to the public about the disturbing rise in “abusive incidents” targeting Jews.
Globally, Jewish women journalists in Israel and abroad have faced a surge in violent threats, including rape and death threats, primarily via social media. Freelance journalist Rolene Marks and American Israeli journalist Emily Schrader have been particularly targeted, with Marks receiving threats on Twitter and Schrader facing threatening emails and anti-Semitic messages. Despite reporting these incidents, little action has been taken by social media companies or authorities. The harassment extends to other parts of the world; in France, journalist Ruth Elkrief is under police protection following threats linked to a controversial interview, and in the U.S., journalist Emily Austin hired a bodyguard due to online threats. Anti-Semitic graffiti was also found outside the New York office of journalist Bari Weiss. The Metropolitan Police in London are investigating an incident involving GB News journalist Katherine Forster, who was verbally abused at a pro-Palestinian march.
Women Press Freedom welcomes the authorities’ proactive approach with its intention to outlaw doxxing and condemns the leak involving the private WhatsApp group of Jewish Australian creatives, an act that has led to threats of violence and forced individuals into hiding. The repercussions of this leak are far-reaching, affecting individuals' personal and professional lives and contributing to a climate of intimidation and harassment. The indiscriminate release of personal information, particularly when it includes individuals who may not have been actively involved in or have distanced themselves from the controversial discussions within the group, does not serve the public interest. Such actions compromise individuals' safety, foster an environment of fear and self-censorship, and undermine the principles of justice and fairness by penalizing individuals based on association rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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