Former ASIO chief criticizes media coverage of antisemitism
Dennis Richardson led ASIO, Australia's domestic intelligence service. He says media underreported antisemitic incidents after October 7.
Dennis Richardson led ASIO and criticized Australian media for not covering antisemitic incidents after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Richardson says ignoring the issue helps extremists.
An Islamic preacher made comments in November 2023. Media did not widely report them until 2025.
A federal court judge found them racist and antisemitic. Richardson called for open discussion about extremist Islamists.
He warned against targeting the broader Australian Muslim community. Mainstream Muslim leaders should lead that conversation.
Richardson made this criticism in a speech at the Lowy Institute media award.
- 1,200 people
- October 7 deaths
- More than 250
- Hostages taken
- 15 people
- Bondi attack deaths
Why it mattersMedia choices shape how people understand social division. They also affect what extremists feel they can do.
AustraliaThe criticism raises questions about how Australian newsrooms cover sensitive religious and political conflicts after major international events.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 d ago
