Craig Hutchison stands decision to dump cricket journalist Peter Lalor over Gaza retweets

SEN boss Craig Hutchison has further explained his decision to cut veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor after a series of controversial social media posts.

Craig Hutchison said Peter Lalor’s social media posts were a clear breach of SEN policy. Picture: Sam D'Agostino

SEN boss Craig Hutchison has stood by his decision to part ways with cricket journalist and broadcaster Peter Lalor.

Speaking for the first time since the situation unfolded at the start of February, Hutchison said Lalor’s social media posts relating to the Middle East conflict had contravened the station’s social media policy.

Hutchison said at the time that he and Lalor, who had been providing special comments through the tour of Sri Lanka, shared “a different view of the impact of (those posts on X) in the Australian community”.

On Tuesday Hutchison said he stood by his call.

“To anyone who’s misinterpreted that reason for my decision, it was me, I apologise for any offence caused, but I stand behind the decision,’’ he said on his podcast, The Sounding Board.

“What I would say is, we live in a very sensitive time in a community that, there’s so many sections of the community that are hurting and going through lots. And I want to be really respectful of everyone in that community. It is a more difficult time than it’s ever been in Australian life.”

Peter Lalor was working for SEN for the Aussies’ Sri Lankan tour. Picture: AFP

Hutchison said Lalor, who was a freelancer, was unwilling to change to his approach.

“His freelance contract with us expired on the 31st of January, but we knew he was in Sri Lanka, so we agreed to extend that opportunity for some commentary shifts in the series,’’ Hutchison said.

“At the start of the series, near and overlapping the series, some of his recent republication on social media platform X, offended some of our audience. That ranged from Gaza related content, but also retweets of memes featuring Nazi-related imagery that was unrelated to the conflict in Gaza, and some other things.

“Pete told me that his method on X … was to mostly share content generated by others that he felt needed to be seen, or re-posting, or retweeting, without necessarily offering comment on that material himself.

“I discussed with Pete that (his) retweeting could be misinterpreted, and the possibilities of members of the community could be offended by the retweeting.”

Hutchison added: “And now we have a clear position for all employees, including in Pete’s freelance agreement in our social media policy.”

Hutchison said he wished Lalor well and he’s “entitled to be what and however you want to be”.

Lalor had support from veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja and other members of the public. He continues to write a cricket blog and is a frequent contributor to Channel 7’s cricket coverage.