University of Sydney professor Sujatha Fernandes’s ‘fake news’ sparks probe

The University of Sydney has begun an investigation following revelations that one of its academics told students that reports of Hamas’s rapes and sexual violence on October 7 were ‘fake news’ and a ‘hoax’.

University of Sydney sociology professor Sujatha Fernandes.

The University of Sydney has begun an investigation following revelations that one of its academics told first-year students that reports of Hamas’s rapes and sexual violence on October 7 were “fake news” and a “hoax”.

In the April lecture, revealed by The Australian on Thursday, sociology professor Sujatha Fernandes told the class that the media was “distorting” the conflict and that Israel was engaging in “ethnic cleansing”.

A University of Sydney spokesperson said on Friday the university was “looking into this matter as a priority and have begun a preliminary investigation” and raised the possibility of disciplinary action.

“Academic staff giving lectures must exercise their intellectual freedom according to the highest ethical, professional and legal standards,” they said. “We are fortunate to have some of the world’s best academics and we ­expect all of them to apply a best teaching practice approach incorporating evidence and analysis.

“We understand how deeply upsetting this would be for some members of our community and while the university is absolutely committed to academic freedom and freedom of speech we will never tolerate any form of racism, hate speech, threatening speech or unlawful harassment, including anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim language or behaviour.

“We strongly believe that as a university our role is to serve as a forum for debate and discussion but we have been very clear about our expectations of behaviour and when breaches against university policy have occurred, we have acted and taken disciplinary action.”

This comes amid continuing controversy following the university’s capitulation to pro-Palestine camp protesters.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said he met vice-chancellor Mark Scott on Friday to express the “Jewish community’s unadulterated outrage at the needless capitulation and concessions”. He said Professor Scott said he would write a letter early next week to “clarify its position”.

“We questioned why the university was succumbing to the wishes of at-most two dozen students, together with external ­activists who have no other connection with the university apart from the fact that they have taken up residence on the university’s lawn,” Mr Ossip said.

“We made it clear that the university has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that its campus is safe for Jewish students and staff and that, instead of seeking to appease the encampment, the university should instead use the powers available to it to end the encampment as well as respond to other concerning manifestations of anti-Semitism on campus.

“We noted that whilst the offer responded to the ‘deeply held concerns of the encampment’, it manifestly failed to respond to the immense concerns of Jewish students and staff as well as the Jewish community more broadly.

“The offer also sets a dangerous precedent and creates a playbook for any other group who may wish to exert pressure on the university … to extract concessions.

“We stand ready to pursue all options to ensure the safety and security of Jewish students and staff at the University of Sydney.”