ABC staff told not to use disappearing messages on topics including antisemitism and extremism due to freeze notice | Weekly Beast

Fri, 06 Feb 2026

National Archives issues disposal freeze order ahead of antisemitism royal commission. Plus: ABC News radio’s monumental mix-up

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Journalists at the ABC who cover any topic which comes under the remit of the royal commission into antisemitism received a sobering edict from news boss Justin Stevens on Friday: they cannot send or receive confidential Signal messages because no communications can be destroyed.

Journalists use disappearing messages in some circumstances to communicate with confidential sources in an effort to protect what they tell them.

“On Wednesday 4 February and Thursday 5 February, the ABC broadcast two stories in radio news bulletins on Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s upcoming visit to Australia. In one story, a statement was attributed to Sarah Schwarz (sic) from the Jewish Council of Australia, saying that she was in favour of the visit. In the other story, a statement was attributed to Lillian Kline from Project A, saying that she was opposed the visit. Both of these statements were incorrect and were not the opinions of either person. Ms Schwarz is opposed to Mr Herzog’s visit, and Ms Kline is in favour. ABC News apologises to both Ms Schwarz and Ms Kline for the error. An on-air correction and apology was issued on Thursday 5 February.”