Pro-Palestine supporters slam ABC coverage of journalist Roshdi Sarraj‘s death in Gaza

Pro-Palestinian supporters have slammed the public broadcaster for not “paying tribute” to journalist Roshdi Sarraj, who was killed in Gaza after working with the company.

One of the posters stuck up at the ABC of Palestinian journalist Roshdi Sarraj, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on October 20. Picture: supplied

The ABC has been criticised by pro-Palestinian supporters for not “paying tribute” to journalist Roshdi Sarraj who was killed in Gaza after working with the company.

Mr Sarraj, 31, was a freelance Palestinian journalist who had filed for the ABC’s 7.30 report before he died in an Israeli air strike in Gaza on October 22.

About 150 Palestinian supporters held and stuck posters of Mr Sarraj outside the ABC Melbourne office at Southbank, where they held a vigil for Mr Sarraj and demanded greater acknowledgment of his death.

The vigil was organised by Free Palestine Melbourne.

Amin Abbas, the chair of Olive Kids — an organisation which supports Palestinian children — expressed his disappointment at the lack of coverage of Mr Sarraj’s death.

“I was expecting the ABC to prioritise paying tribute to such an amazing professional and colleague who’s paid his own life to keep telling us the truth, including us here in Australia,” he said.

Posters of freelance journalist Roshdi Sarraj were stuck outside the ABC's headquarters in Melbourne at a vigil on Tuesday following his death. Picture: supplied

“There has never been a time more critical for us to know what is really happening in Gaza and remembering those that we lost…is the least that we can do to help us protect the brave ones that are still trying to do so.”

ABC’s 7.30 report did acknowledge Mr Sarraj’s death at the end of its bulletin on Monday but was described as “tokenistic” by Mr Abbas.

“No footage or photos were shown and no tributes to his work…it was shameful.”

The group outside the ABC on Tuesday also called for the protection of journalists in Gaza and that Israel allow “unconditional access for international journalists on the ground”.

More than 20 journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 7.

A protester sticks a poster up high at the ABC in Melbourne following the vigil for journalist Roshdi Sarraj. Picture: supplied

The Media Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA) ABC House Committee released a statement on Tuesday which was read out at the vigil.

“The ABC House Committee extends their deep condolences to the family of freelance journalist and filmmaker Roshdi Sarraj, who was killed in Gaza on October 22 during an air strike.

“Mr Sarraj, who was working for the ABC shortly before his death, is among at least 23 journalists killed in the conflict since October 7. The ABC House Committee calls on all sides to respect the role of journalists and to avoid civilian casualties. Journalists working for the ABC in these dangerous situations deserve the ABC’s support.”

An ABC spokesperson later told the Herald Sun: “On October the 22nd filmmaker Roshdi Sarraj was killed in Gaza. Earlier this month, Roshdi filmed material for 7.30, and we take this opportunity to acknowledge his passing and send our condolences to his family.”