Murphy, the political editor at Guardian Australia, made the announcement on social media on Monday, reflecting on her nearly 30-year journalism career.

“28 years ago, almost to the week, I arrived in the Canberra press gallery,” Murphy said.

“I am deeply grateful to so many people for the opportunities I’ve had and for the generosity that has been extended to me by my mentors, colleagues and readers.”

I will be joining the office of @AlboMP

I want to say farewell by thanking Australians who support good journalism.

It has never been more necessary.

Thank you for your company. It's been a honour.

— Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) January 28, 2024

Murphy has worked at Guardian Australia since the British media outlet extended to Australia in 2013. She, alongside Guardian Australia’s editor Lenore Taylor, were key in the establishment of the independent media organisation in Australia.

“Playing a part in establishing Guardian Australia with Lenore Taylor has been the greatest privilege of my professional life,” Murphy wrote on X.

“But it’s time – after nearly three decades – for a new chapter.”

Murphy revealed she would be taking up a role in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office in Parliament House. According to reports, her final day at Guardian Australia will be on Friday.

“I want to say farewell by thanking Australians who support good journalism. It has never been more necessary,” Murphy wrote in her statement.

“Thank you for your company. It’s been an honour.”

Murphy is a respected journalist in Australia, reporting on Australian politics for nearly 30 years. In 2008, she won the Paul Lyneham award for excellence in press gallery journalism, and in 2012, was a finalist for a Walkley award in the best digital journalist category.

‘Go well, Katharine.’

Murphy’s colleague Lenore Taylor, editor at Guardian Australia, thanked her for her contribution to the online news site, saying her presence will be missed.

“Murph has been part of Guardian Australia project since the idea was conceived 10 years ago as what seemed like an audacious attempt to change Australia’s media landscape. It has succeeded beyond anything we imagined,” Taylor wrote on X. 

“Murph’s dedication, tireless work and brilliant political analysis have played a significant part in that success. On behalf of everyone at Guardian Australia, I’d like to thank her. We’ll all miss her terribly and so will our readers.”

Several journalists took to social media congratulating Murphy on her career and wishing her well for her new role.

“You’ve made a wonderful contribution to our collective understanding of Australian politics,” journalist Emma Alberici said. “All the very best in your new role.”

“What a huge loss to journalism in this country!” ABC Breakfast co-host Michael Rowland wrote on X. “I will miss your always considered and sometimes delightfully salty takes on the day and week in politics. Go well, Katharine.”

The news of Murphy’s career change did not go down well with Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton. On X, Dutton wrote he was “genuinely shocked” to hear that Murphy will now be “officially running lines for Labor”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is yet to publicly comment on the appointment.

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Around 80 journalists gathered at the Ultimo office and demanded to meet with the ABC’s managing director, David Anderson, following reports that he made the final call to sack broadcaster, columnist and presenter Antoinette Lattouf in December last year.

A spokesperson from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) told Women’s Agenda the journalists’ union backs the ABC journalists’ demands for answers from Anderson, and all management at the national broadcaster, on why journalists from culturally diverse backgrounds are being treated this way.

“Journalists must be free to report on issues without fear of being reprimanded by their employer when media bosses face outside pressures from unaccountable lobby groups, politicians and big business,” the MEAA spokesperson said.

“Journalists at the ABC are working very hard to tell difficult stories, ethically or without fear or favour, and to be accountable to the public they work for, but they are being let down by management who are capitulating to external pressures.”

#MEAAmedia members at the ABC today called on managing director David Anderson to urgently meet with staff and address growing concerns about outside interference, culturally unsafe management practices and to stand up for journalism without fear or favour. #PressFreedom… pic.twitter.com/LHomCActtu

— MEAA (@withMEAA) January 16, 2024

On Tuesday, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on leaked messages in a WhatsApp group chat, showing how members of Lawyers for Israel conducted a coordinated letter-writing campaign, targeted at sacking Antoinette Lattouf from her short-term employment with ABC Radio Sydney.

The people in the group chat in December last year questioned why the ABC was “allowing this woman to host a radio show” and called on the lawyers to “stamp it out” by writing letters to ABC Chair Ita Buttrose.

According to the leaked messages, Buttrose responded to seven of the letters that the pro-Israel lobbyists sent, saying the matter would be dealt with.

“Management should be supporting staff when they come under external attack or criticism to ensure that the public’s trust in the ABC to report without fear or favour can be maintained,” the MEAA spokesperson told Women’s Agenda.

“Our priority is for David Anderson to come out of his office and engage with our members about how the ABC deals with external criticism and attacks and supports its staff.

“No ultimatum has been issued but clearly some staff feel so strongly about these issues that they are considering further action if they are not resolved satisfactorily.”

Women’s Agenda has reached out to the ABC for comment.

What happened?

Antoinette Lattouf was contracted to work for five days hosting the morning slot on ABC Radio Sydney. However, according to the ABC, she was fired two days into the gig for sharing a post from the Human Rights Watch, alleging Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war.

Last week, Lattouf announced she would be expanding her complaint with the Fair Work Commission over her sacking, alleging her employment was terminated not just for her political opinion, but also because of her race.

“Despite the ABC’s rhetoric about diversity and inclusion, it is currently an unsafe workplace for journalists who are people of colour,” she said in a statement.

“I’m aware of a number of diverse journalists who have either resigned or are on the brink of resigning because they are unfairly scrutinised, don’t believe their employer will back them and fear they will be the next to be thrown under the bus.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ANTOINETTE • LATTOUF (@antoinette_lattouf)

Lattouf will be working with high-profile employment compensation lawyer Josh Bornstein, as the case is expected to begin proceedings on January 18.

“Since October 7 and the ensuing conflict in the Middle East, it has become notorious in the media industry that Arab and Muslim journalists are being intimidated, censored and sacked,” Bornstein said.

“In this case we will show that the ABC has not sacked white journalists for expressing political opinion, even where those journalists worked in news and current affairs. Antoinette’s role at the ABC was not a news or current affairs role.”

On ABC Radio Sydney this morning, Kenneth Roth, the former executive director of Human Rights Watch, said the ABC had made a mistake in terminating her employment.

He said the post she shared on her social media, which ABC said was “controversial”, was completely “factual”.

“ABC would be living in a different era if they prohibited their journalists from using social media,” Roth said.

“I think it’s worth noting that this was not an opinion piece… (Lattouf) was reporting facts, and facts indeed reported by one of the world’s two leading human rights groups, and facts, if you look at them, that are not controversial.”

‘Inclusion in practice’

Over the last year in particular, the ABC has come under fire for its hypocrisy in relation to diversity and inclusion.

The national broadcaster’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Plan 2023-2026 was launched last July, with “inclusion in practice” as a fundamental principle to the three-year plan.

However, a number of ABC journalists with culturally diverse backgrounds have been outspoken on how this is not the case in reality.

Last week, ABC political reporter Nour Haydar also resigned from the national broadcaster, citing poor treatment of culturally diverse staff.

“This was not a decision that I made lightly, but one I made with total clarity,” she told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Commitment to diversity in the media cannot be skin deep. Culturally diverse staff should be respected and supported even when they challenge the status quo.”

Haydar, who worked in the ABC’s Parliament House bureau, said she made her decision before learning of Lattouf’s termination, but is equally disappointed with how that situation was handled.

In May last year, before the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Plan 2023-26 was announced, veteran journalist Stan Grant called out the ABC for its lack of support and action in the wake of “vile”, “targeted” and “racist” abuse on social media.

The Wiradjuri man resigned from his role as host of the news and current affairs program Q+A, before he penned an opinion piece on the ABC News website.

“I am writing this because no one at the ABC — whose producers invited me onto their coronation coverage as a guest — has uttered one word of public support,” Grant said.

“Not one ABC executive has publicly refuted the lies written or spoken about me. I don’t hold any individual responsible; this is an institutional failure.”

Statement from the ABC

On Wednesday, the ABC released a statement on behalf of the Managing Director David Anderson, responding to the unfolding situation.

“The ABC’s independence, enshrined in legislation, is of paramount importance to the role the ABC performs for the Australian public,” Anderson said.

“The ABC rejects any claim that it has been influenced by any external pressure, whether it be an advocacy or lobby group, a political party, or commercial entity. That applies to all decisions made across the organisation, including in relation to content, where the ABC’s Editorial Policies provide strong direction on independence and other crucial matters.

“ABC staff are proud of our high standards of independent journalism, and routinely perform their roles for the Australian public without fear or favour, adhering to our responsibilities of impartiality and accuracy – often in the face of significant unwarranted criticism.

“The ABC will continue to support them and their work, internally and externally. As a result of our high editorial standards and independence, we remain the most trusted media organisation in the country.”

To read David Anderson’s full statement, click here.

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Foreign Minister Penny Wong met Lei at the airport in Melbourne, who said it was an “honour” to welcome her home.

In a statement posted on X via her partner Nick Coyle’s activist page @FreeChengLei, Lei described what a relief it was to be free and reunited with her two children and family.

“Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine,” she said.

“Trees shimmy from the breeze. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies.”

All Australians will be relieved to hear that Ms Cheng Lei has returned to her family after more than three years apart.

The Government has consistently advocated for Ms Cheng since her detention in August 2020.

An honour to welcome her home to Australia today. pic.twitter.com/qIANwN7J2T

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) October 11, 2023

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed reporters in a press conference in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon, revealing the journalist’s release and journey back to Australia.

“Earlier today, I was able to have a conversation with an Australian citizen, Cheng Lei, who has arrived safely here in Melbourne and has been reunited with her two children and her family,” he said.

“Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms Cheng and her family.

“This is an outcome that the Australian government has been seeking for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed – not just by her family and friends, but by all Australians.”

I am pleased to confirm that Ms Cheng Lei has arrived safely home in Australia, and has been reunited with her two children and her family.

I spoke with her on the phone this afternoon. This is an outcome the Australian government has been seeking for a long time. pic.twitter.com/ukcoSR9oE3

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) October 11, 2023

Cheng Lei was a broadcast journalist at the Chinese state-owned media CGTN when she was detained by Chinese officials in August 2020. 

It wasn’t until September that year that officials revealed the reason for her arrest, claiming she was “supplying state secrets overseas”, an allegation which Lei has and continues to deny.

The journalist spent the first six months of her detainment in solitary confinement in Residential Surveillance at a Dedicated Facility (RSDF), where she had no contact with the outside world, including her partner of eight years, Nick Coyle, and her two children, now 12 and 14 years old.

In March 2022, Lei faced a secretive closed trial that lasted just three hours in a Beijing court. No Australian diplomats or officials were allowed in the trial.

On the third anniversary of her detainment, Lei released a statement from prison, what she described as a “love letter” to Australia.

“It is not the same in here, I haven’t seen a tree in three years,” her letter read.

“I miss the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year.

“Most of all, I miss my children.”

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked the People’s Republic of China (PRC) 179th out of 180 countries in its 2023 Press Freedom Index. It states the PRC is the “world’s largest prison” for journalists.

As of today, there are 101 journalists detained in China.

The post ‘Tight hugs, teary screams’: Cheng Lei released from three-year detainment in China appeared first on Women's Agenda.

The former reporter for China’s English-language news service CTGN is currently being held in strict conditions in the state’s capital, with little to no contact with the outside world.

As this month marks three years since Lei’s arrest and detention, Lei has expressed how much she misses home in an open letter dictated to diplomats, who have contact with her every month.

“G’day Aussies, excuse the daggy slang from someone in need of ‘ockerism’,” the 48-year-old said.

“This is a love letter to 25 million people and 7 million square kilometres of land, land abundant in nature, beauty and space.

“It is not the same in here, I haven’t seen a tree in three years.”

Throughout the letter, Lei recalls the natural beauties of Australia, including the bushwalks, rivers, lakes, beaches and sunsets, a privilege she is not afforded in the Beijing prison.

“I miss the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year,” she said.

“I can’t believe I used to avoid the sun when I was living back in Australia, although knowing Melbourne weather, it will probably rain for the first two weeks after I return.”

In 1985, when Lei was just 10 years old, she migrated to Australia with her parents. She began a career in accounting in 1995, before switching to journalism.

Beginning as an intern at CTGN (formerly known as CCTV) in 2002, Lei has reported on major events, including the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and interviewed high profile people, like Bill Gates.

On August 14, 2020, the Australian government received an official notice of Lei’s arrest and detention. The Chinese government cited passing on “state secrets” as the reason for the journalist’s arrest, an allegation which Lei has denied.

The journalist spent the first six months in solitary confinement and is reported to be held in Residential Surveillance at a Dedicated Facility (RSDF), where she has no contact with the outside world, including her partner of eight years, Nick Coyle, and her two children, now 12 and 14 years old.

“Most of all, I miss my children,” she wrote in the final line of the letter.

Last year in March, Lei was tried in a closed court, which Australia’s ambassador to China Graham Fletcher tried unsuccessfully to gain entry to. The trial lasted less than a day.

Since then, Lei has been waiting for sentencing in the RSDF facility.

In a statement, Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong acknowledged Lei’s ordeal and said Australia will continue to support her and her family.

“I want to acknowledge Ms Cheng’s strength, and the strength of her family and friends through this period,” Minister Wong said.

“Ms Cheng’s message to the public makes clear her deep love for our country. All Australians want to see her reunited with her children.

“Australia has consistently advocated for Ms Cheng, and asked that basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment to be met for Ms Cheng, in accordance with international norms.”

The Chinese embassy told the ABC’s 7.30: “China is under the rule of law. China’s judicial authorities have handled the case in accordance with the law, and the lawful rights of Cheng are under full protection.”

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The appointment is in recognition of her outstanding contribution to journalism education at her alma mater, and Karvelas says it gives her “great pride” to return to RMIT and “take up this honorary professorial role”.

“I believe journalism has never been more important and I hope to be able to provide leadership for the country’s future journalists,” she says.

Beginning her professional career at the ABC and SBS 20 years ago, Karvelas has since worked across all mediums within the Australian media landscape. 

Currently, she’s the presenter of ABC Radio National’s agenda-setting RN Breakfast and co-host of the Party Room podcast.

“Patricia is one of the country’s most respected journalists,” said the Dean of RMIT’s School of Media and Communication, Professor Lisa French.

“She is a leader in broadcasting – which is also one of RMIT’ strengths – and has a reputation as a passionate ally for her work with Indigenous Australians,” she said. “We are pleased and proud to welcome her as one of our distinguished Honorary Professors.” 

French added that Karvelas’ outstanding skills will greatly contribute to the journalism program’s teaching, learning, industry partnerships and research.

Over the past five years, Karvelas has supported the University’s journalism program on a range of projects such as working with students on national curriculum resources for political reporting and hosting public events to share her insights and experiences of working in the industry. 

As an Honorary Professor, Karvelas will build on this existing engagement with RMIT and continue to work with students and staff in various capacities.

She’ll be giving a public lecture on Thursday 9 March at The Capitol to mark the beginning of her honorary professorship. 

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Did you watch Q&A on the ABC last night? If not, count yourself lucky. It was an absolute doozy. Last night’s episode was always going to be a bit different; the panel was free from politicians and it was held at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas.

The panellists were Germaine Greer, British journalist Peter Hitchens, US author Hanna Rosin and author, columnist and television presenter Dan Savage. As usual the discussion was moderated by Tony Jones but beyond that there wasn’t too much usual about the conversation that unfolded. I was initially a little dumbfounded each time Hitchens spoke; his views were so dripping in elitism, superiority and intolerance that I couldn’t quite believe my ears. And yet he continued. As the show wore on my response developed into visceral anger.

Not all of my anger is directed at him. Some of it is aimed at the ABC, for giving him and his abhorrent views a platform in the first place. And some of it is reserved for Tony Jones for not pressing Hitchens on some of his views.

These are just a handful of the lowlights and highlights of the program*:

From Peter Hitchens

On gender equality:

“[Gender] equality was won decades ago. Women run the BBC and I’m sure women run the ABC too”. Actually Peter that’s wrong. Gender equality has not been achieved. Need proof? It’s in the pay gap, it’s in the disproportionate number of women running listed-companies, running government departments, leading faculties at university.

On mothers are the primary caregivers:

“Everyone knows mothers are better at looking after children than men.” Wrong again, Peter. Based on your views I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case in your household but come around to mine. You will see that my husband is every bit as nurturing and loving as I am with our daughters. In exactly the same way my father and my grandfather are and were. And this is not rare. Gender does not determine an individual’s capacity to care for children. Fathers are fantastic parents and you sell every single one of them short when you make this type of ill-informed blanket statement. This line is a rather convenient excuse to ensure the responsibility for rearing children sits on the shoulders of mothers.

On women returning to work:

“[Women face] this extraordinary pressure to hand their babies over to carers at six months old and return to work.” I get the feeling this bothers you not because you care about how that pressure – perceived or real – actually impacts women. Some mothers return to work after 6 months, some don’t. Some do so willingly, others do so out of necessity. I suspect this issue is more complex than you care to consider.

On gay marriage:

“You people [directed to married gay man and fellow panellist Dan Savage] say it doesn’t harm anyone but it does.”

He also added several times that the quest for equal treatment is selfish. Tony Jones had ample opportunity to intervene on this issue because Hitchens made the same comment several times. He should have been questioned. Peter, how does a gay person seeking equal treatment harm anyone? How is that selfish?

From Germaine Greer

On patriarchy:

“Patriarchy also oppresses men – it’s not the rule of men, it’s the rule of old men.”

On Tony Abbott:

“For me the great mystery is that Tony Abbott is a Rhodes Scholar.”

From Hanna Rosin

On parenting:

“We need to do less for our children, not more.”

On sexism:

“We do racism and sexism in code in the US. Here you guys use more open language.”

From Dan Savage

On Tony Abbott:

“You’re having your George W Bush moment.”

On marriage:

“It is as patriarchal as you make it. Marriage is a union between two autonomous individuals.”

From Tony Jones

On Tony Abbott:

“He is popular with Australians and he doesn’t care about political correctness. How do you explain the landslide [election win]?”

Did you watch? What did you make of it?

* The program’s transcript is not yet available so these quotes are to the best of my knowledge.

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