ABC is reviewing the social media activity of presenter Fauziah Ibrahim on Twitter.
Ibrahim had two controversially titled lists on her account on the platform, one labelled “Labor Trolls/Thugs” and the other “Lobotomised Shitheads”.
Ibrahim’s Twitter account has since been made private and her tweets protected. Although her bio remains: “Journo via @YourMoneyAus, @AJENews, @AJ101East, @bbc, @cnbc. Eternal expat. Made in ??. Opinions are my own.”
Ibrahim was noticeably absent from her presenting duties on Weekend Breakfast over the weekend and replaced by was replaced by Planet America host John Barron alongside Johanna Nicholson.
A spokesperson from the ABC told The Guardian on Monday: “The ABC is reviewing recent social media activity by presenter Fauziah Ibrahim, who has taken a break from on-camera duties but remains part of the Weekend Breakfast team.
Another spokesperson told News.com.au: “This is a private Twitter account, not an ABC account. We are investigating what has occurred.”
This comes after managing director David Anderson warned staff of disciplinary action, including the sack, if they breach social media guidelines that brought the national broadcaster into disrepute.
Last year, Anderson sent out an email to staff cautioning them on the excessive use of social media, including personal accounts.
Anderson wrote at the time that staff had a “responsibility to protect the ABC’s reputation, independence and integrity where your personal use of social media intersects with your professional life.”
“Working at the ABC offers tremendous opportunities. It also comes with responsibilities – more than at any other media organisation in Australia,” he said.
“For employees, any breach of ABC policies, guidelines and procedures, including the ABC Code of Conduct and the Guidelines for Personal Use of Social Media, will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant ABC employment agreement and may lead to disciplinary action, including possible termination of employment,” he added.