Blowtorch on ABC: Boss won’t say sorry over false war crimes report; involved in fiery ‘anti-Semitic’ denial

Former special forces commando Heston Russell has failed to win an apology from the ABC despite winning a $390k defamation suit against the broadcaster over false war crimes allegations.

Former special forces commando Heston Russell has failed to win an apology from the ABC, despite winning a $390k defamation suit against the broadcaster over false war crimes allegations.

Speaking before a Senate committee inquiry Tuesday, ABC managing director David Anderson refused to say sorry for the ABC’s claims against Mr Russell, including that he had executed an Afghan prisoner while serving in the Middle East.

“I accept the judgment for what it is,” Mr Anderson said.

But, citing an appeals period relating to the judgment against the ABC, Mr Anderson said, “I’m not going to apologise to Mr Russell.”

ABC Managing Director David Anderson in Canberra on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Heston Russell sued the ABC for defamation and won. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Anderson was challenged repeatedly to apologise given the stinging judgment handed down against the ABC in the federal court, as well as the fact that as The Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday the key witness against Mr Russell has apologised for his statements.

“This has been a lesson learned about how my intentions may not have matched the intentions of the people I spoke with,” the witness said in his statement.

It comes as it was revealed Mr Russell will have his court costs paid by the ABC, in addition to the damages payment he received.

Mr Russell was awarded $390,000 in damages, which comes to $412315.15 with interest.

The nation’s broadcaster is also being grilled over a number of issues ranging from its coverage of the Voice referendum to its coverage of the ongoing Middle East crisis.

ABC Middle Eastern correspondent Tom Joyner. Source: X.

Mr Anderson was forced to deny his organisation is “anti-Semitic” after a fiery exchange before the hearing looking into the way the national broadcaster has covered the conflict.

He confirmed ABC management was “looking into” reports that one of their Middle East correspondents, Tom Joyner, labelled reports of Israeli babies having been beheaded by Hamas as “bullshit” in a journalists’ WhatsApp chat group.

“His language was unfortunate and he knows that he’s distressed people ... and he regrets that,” Mr Anderson said.

Mr Anderson was also quizzed on a number of other news reports that aired on the ABC, including a 7:30 interview with a Hamas spokesperson.

“I do not think the ABC is anti-Semitic in any way,” Mr Anderson said.

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